Congenital CMV (cCMV) is acknowledged as one of the most common causes of nonhereditary sensorineural hearing loss and an important cause of neurodevelopmental delay in children. Despite the danger cCMV poses, many parents are unaware of the virus, its sequelae, mode of transmission, and preventative behaviors. The purpose of the study was to determine South Dakota parents’ knowledge of cCMV, its sequelae, and ways to minimize exposure.
An electronic survey was utilized for data collection. Parents of children born in South Dakota from 2011 to 2018 were asked about their knowledge of CMV and cCMV, including common sequelae and ways to minimize exposure. Flyers were sent to randomly selected daycares and the link was posted on social media pages to advertise the electronic survey to South Dakota parents. After completing the survey, participants were directed to cCMV educational resources.
Respondents were more knowledgeable regarding the sequelae of cCMV rather than its transmission process or ways in which viral exposure can be minimized. Results show that there remains a need for cCMV awareness in South Dakota, particularly with a large focus on preventative measures
