Physician Assistant Students’ Knowledge of Zika Virus: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Objective:

The aim of this study was to assess physician assistant students’ knowledge about the screening, transmission, management, and prevention of Zika virus infection.

Background:

It is important for health care providers in the United States to recognize the symptoms of Zika so that they can screen, diagnose, and or treat persons exposed to or infected by the virus. Physician assistant students, on completion of their educational program and passing their board examinations, provide care for patients in primary care or specialty settings where they may treat patients who either have the virus or post-virus exposure.

Methods:

A convenience sample of 37 students enrolled in a physician assistant studies program in the Midwestern United States completed an in-person self-administered paper-and-pencil questionnaire that tested their knowledge about Zika virus infection.

Results:

All the respondents knew that the disease is of viral origin; however, only 89% knew that mosquitoes were the natural host. Primary modes of transmission were identified as sexual contact and blood transfusion (47% and 44% of respondents respectively); 47% incorrectly identified amniotic fluid as a transmission mode. More than half (61%) knew that health care providers should ask pregnant women about any possible virus exposure before and during pregnancy at each prenatal visit. Most respondents knew that muscle/joint pain (67%) was one of the symptoms of Zika infection, but only 39%, 25%, and 19% also identified low-grade fever, maculopapular rash, and conjunctivitis respectively as other symptoms. Some participants incorrectly identified antivirals (44%) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (36%) rather than the recommended treatments of pain relief (30%) and fever relief (42%) medications for clinical management of the disease.

Introduction

Since the 2015 Zika virus outbreak, approximately 10% of babies born to women with confirmed infection during pregnancy had Zika-associated birth defects. ¹ Unlike other infectious diseases such as Ebola and Dengue fever, which have similar symptoms, exposure to Zika in pregnant women or women of childbearing age can lead to microcephaly in their newborns. ¹ Mosquitoes primarily the Aedes aegypti and the Aedes albopictus transmit Zika. ¹ Person-to-person transmission of the virus can occur sexually,^1,2 which has increased the potential spread of Zika to new areas within the United States and globally. In addition, travel is a vehicle of transmission and poses potential risks of exposure. The evidence for transmission of Zika (ZIKV) to health care providers while caring for patients infected with the virus is incomplete. In a Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (2016), Oduyebo and colleagues ³ reported ZIKV RNA in various body fluids including blood, urine, and amniotic fluids, and highlighted the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) ¹ recommendation to use standard precautions in all health care settings.

Early recognition of symptoms of the virus by health care providers is important to ensure that appropriate diagnostic tests are done, resulting in prompt diagnosis and effective treatment for persons who are infected. DeSmet et al ⁴ recognized that the challenge for clinicians is to identify patients while they are still in the acute phase of the infection. Providing appropriate education to sexually active persons and their partners about the transmission and prevention of Zika also plays a key role in stopping the spread of this infection.

Health care providers such as physician assistants provide care to patients in a variety of settings including primary care clinics or offices, hospitals, nursing homes, and others. Physician assistants diagnose and treat patients for an array of diseases and frequently encounter patients who have flu-like symptoms common to many infectious illnesses such as Zika.

There is limited research on health care providers’ knowledge about Zika infection. In a rapid assessment of the Zika virus, Yung et al ⁵ found that Singapore physicians’ knowledge of sexual transmission recommendations and the management of congenitally infected infants is very limited. Another study specific to nurse practitioners done using a paper-and-pencil format to survey a convenience sample of 559 nurse practitioners reported significant knowledge gaps in identifying and diagnosing a Zika infection. ⁶ Furthermore, Moore ⁶ showed no statistically significant differences between those who were practicing in high-risk areas and those who were not in relation to their knowledge about the virus. Due to rapid scientific changes and recommendation updates, it is important to continue to assess health care providers’ knowledge about Zika virus.

As part of their education, physician assistant students learn to diagnose and treat illnesses and diseases, such as the Zika. This pilot study was done to assess physician assistant students’ knowledge about Zika, as it is important for this group of providers to determine if a patient with flu-like symptoms may have Zika or another condition.

Methods

This pilot study used a cross-sectional research design that examined a convenience sample of individuals enrolled in a Physician Assistant program at a university located in the Midwestern part of the United States. The questionnaire was a modification of the survey instrument used in the Yung et al’s ⁵ research that examined Singapore clinical specialists’ knowledge on Zika virus. Permission was obtained from the survey’s author(s) before modification of the instrument. The modifications made were to help assess and capture specific information about the US physician assistant students’ knowledge on the screening, diagnosis, and treatment of Zika virus. The Institutional Review Board of the institution gave approval prior to the start of the study.

The survey instrument consisted of 23 questions, which included five multiple-choice responses with one correct answer, along with 18 questions with a “select all that apply” response format, which meant that more than one answer was required. Fifteen demographic items were included in the questionnaire. The questionnaire was not designed to be an exhaustive query about Zika virus, but to capture physician assistant students’ knowledge about the virus in four domains: (1) virus transmission and prevention, (2) clinical knowledge of diagnosis and management, (3) clinical treatment of persons possibly infected with the virus, and (4) CDC recommendations for screening for Zika virus infection.

Face validity was established for the original instrument through a comprehensive literature review of previous studies that examined health care providers’ knowledge of Zika virus. Moore ⁶ described only face validity in the survey of nurse practitioners. Content validity was re-established by having six content experts review the questionnaire and provide feedback on the instrument items. ⁷ Face and content validity were re-established for the modified instrument prior to using it in this study. Revisions were made to the questionnaire based on feedback from the content experts.

The questionnaire was administered to the participants in person, by providing each individual with a paper copy of the survey and a pencil. Descriptive statistics (frequencies and percentages) and nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis H Test were performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). These methods were chosen due to their ability to identify associations more conservatively without normality assumptions.

Results

Sample characteristics

The questionnaire was administered to a cohort of 37 first-year physician assistant studies students during one class session. Of the cohort, 36 students completed the questionnaire, which resulted in a response rate of 97%. Most of the respondents were non-Hispanic (74%, n = 26) whites (63%, n = 22), females (58%, n = 21), younger than 30 years old (78%, n = 28), and who had earned a bachelor’s degree (83%, n = 30), as outlined in Table 1. The respondents were mostly Ohio residents (68%, n = 25), currently employed in an urban health care setting (56%, n = 15), and in acute care (46%, n = 12). Approximately, 72% (n = 26) indicated that they had previously provided direct care to patients in the United States, with 1 to 5 years (33%, n = 12) being the most common response for the number of years participants had provided direct care to patients in the United States. In addition, one respondent indicated having 21 to 30 years’ experience providing care to patients, which reflected that students had prior exposure and experience in other health care fields before enrolling in the physician assistant studies program. Furthermore, 9% (n = 3) of the respondents had cared for an adult patient with symptoms and/or exposure to Zika, and 6% (n = 2) had cared for an infant and a child with symptoms and/or exposure to this virus. When asked where they received most of their information about Zika, the majority identified television (44%, n = 10), then social media (39%, n = 9) as their sources of information as shown in Figure 1.

Table 1.

Demographics and characteristics of the respondents and Kruskal-Wallis H Test.

Demographics and characteristics	n	%	Kruskal-Wallis H Test
			SEC1	SEC2	SEC3	SEC4
Sex
Male	15	41.7	0.81	0.34	0.61	0.86
Female	21	58.3
Race/ethnicity
African American	10	28.6	0.96	0.68	0.85	0.28
American Indian	2	5.7
Asian or Pacific Islander	1	2.9
White	22	62.9
Ethnic identity or cultural background
Hispanic or Latino	6	17.1	0.28	0.24	0.63	0.47
Non-Hispanic or non-Latino	26	74.3
Other	3	8.6
Highest education level
Bachelor’s degree	30	83.3	0.38	0.31	0.19	0.37
Master’s degree	6	16.7
Age group
<30 years	28	77.8	0.83	0.74	0.92	0.48
30-49 years	8	22.2
Primary employment area
Acute care (hospital)	12	46.2	0.23	0.03	0.48	0.40
Emergency room	5	19.2
Rehabilitation hospital	1	3.8
Health care employment setting
Urban (in the city)	15	55.6	0.34	0.01	0.34	0.61
Suburban (residential area bordering a city)	4	14.8
Have you ever provided direct care to patients in the United States?
Yes	26	72.2	0.67	0.37	0.99	0.76
No	10	27.8
Number of years of care provided to patients in the United States
Not applicable	9	25.0	0.32	0.29	0.94	0.80
Less than 12 months	10	27.8
1-5 years	12	33.3
6-10 years	1	2.8
11-20 years	3	8.3
21-30 years	1	2.8
State of permanent residence
Colorado	1	2.7	0.22	0.51	0.92	0.84
Illinois	2	5.4
Michigan	6	16.2
Ohio	25	67.6
Wisconsin	1	2.7
Have you ever cared for an adult patient with symptoms and/or exposure to the Zika virus?			0.01	0.07	0.05	0.12
Yes	3	8.6
No	32	91.4
Have you ever cared for an infant with symptoms and/or exposure to the Zika virus?
Yes	2	5.7	0.04	0.27	0.26	0.10
No	33	94.3
Have you ever cared for a child with symptoms and/or exposure to the Zika virus?
Yes	2	5.7	0.09	0.45	0.26	0.12
No	32	91.4

N = 36. Percentages may not equal 100% due to rounding and/or non-reported answers. SEC1: Knowledge on the Epidemiology, Transmission, and Symptoms of the Zika Virus; SEC2: Knowledge on the Risks, and Screening Recommendations and Testing of the Zika Virus; SEC3: Knowledge on the Clinical Management of the Zika Virus; SEC4: Knowledge on the Risks and Guidelines for Pregnant Women to the Zika Virus.

Figure 1.

Physician assistant students’ response to where they receive information about the Zika virus.

Descriptive analysis

Identifying physician assistant students’ knowledge of the epidemiology, symptoms, and transmission of Zika virus was the focus of the first several questions in the survey as referenced in Table 2. Most respondents (56%, n = 20) did not know that Aedes species is the natural host of the virus, but the participants (100%, N = 36) knew that the disease is of viral origin with its natural host being mosquitoes (89%, n = 32). Sexual contact and blood transfusion were recognized as modes of transmission by 47% (n = 17) and 44% (n = 16) of respondents respectively. However, 47%, (n = 17) of students incorrectly identified amniotic fluid as a transmission mode. Fourteen percent (n = 5) correctly identified that people who may have been exposed to the virus may not experience symptoms for 3 to 7 days, while 40% (n = 14) selected 8 to 10 days and 31% (n = 11) did not know. Most respondents were aware that muscle/joint pain (67%, n = 24) was one of the symptoms of Zika, but only 39% (n = 14), 25% (n = 9), and 19% (n = 7) also identified low-grade fever, maculopapular rash, and conjunctivitis respectively as other symptoms. Microcephaly and Guillain-Barre syndrome were identified as conditions linked to a Zika by 64% (n = 23) and 19% (n = 7) of the respondents respectively, but 33% (n = 12) and 36% (n = 13) incorrectly selected congenital cardiac malformations and small for gestational age (SGA) as conditions linked to the infection.

Table 2.

Response to survey questions on physician assistant students’ knowledge on the epidemiology, transmission, and symptoms of the Zika virus.

Section 1: Epidemiology, transmission, and symptoms questions	n	%
Zika infection is a disease of:
Viral origin	36	100
The natural host of the Zika organism is:
Mosquitoes	32	88.9
Fruit bats	2	5.6
Ticks	1	2.8
Don’t know	1	2.8
What subtype of the natural host is known to transmit the Zika infection? (Select all that apply)
Culex pipiens	1	2.8
Aedes species	11	30.6
Anopheles gambiae	6	16.7
Don’t know	20	55.6
Which of the following are additional documented modes of transmission for the Zika infection? (Select all that apply)
Saliva	3	8.3
Droplet transmission	6	16.7
Sexual contact	17	47.2
Blood transfusion	16	44.4
Amniotic fluid	17	47.2
Don’t know	11	30.6
People who may be exposed to Zika may not experience symptoms for:
8-10 days	14	40.0
3-7 days	5	14.3
2-5 days	4	11.4
Don’t know	11	31.4
Which of the following symptoms does Zika infection usually present with? (Select all that apply)
Low-grade fever (<38.5°C)	14	38.9
High-grade fever (⩾38.5°C)	13	36.1
Maculopapular rash	9	25.0
Conjunctivitis	7	19.4
Muscle/joint pain	24	66.7
Signs of bleeding/hemorrhage	3	8.3
Don’t know	6	16.7
Which of the following conditions are linked to Zika infection? (Select all that apply)
Congenital cardiac malformations	12	33.3
Microcephaly	23	63.9
SGA	13	36.1
Guillain-Barre syndrome	7	19.4
Don’t know	5	13.9

Abbreviation: SGA, small for gestational age.

N = 36. Percentages may not equal 100% due to rounding and/or non-reported answers.

Responses outlined in Table 3 focused on identifying participant’s knowledge related to the risks, and screening recommendations and testing for the Zika. Pregnant women (83%, n = 30), women of childbearing age (42%, n = 15), and children between the ages of 0 and 14 years (33%, n = 12) were identified as being at the most risk of harm from infection. Respondents recognized that symptomatic pregnant women with possible exposure to the virus (67%, n = 24) and those with no symptoms but with ongoing exposure (53%, n = 19) should be tested for the virus. In addition, respondents recognized that pregnant women with no symptoms but who were recently exposed (61%, n = 22) and those possibly exposed who have a fetus that has prenatal ultrasound findings consistent with congenital Zika virus syndrome (47%, n = 17) should consider being tested for the virus.

Table 3.

Response to survey questions on physician assistant students’ knowledge on the risks, screening recommendations and testing of the Zika virus.

Section 2: Risks, screening recommendations and testing questions	n	%
What individuals or groups are more at risk of harm from Zika? (Select all that apply)
Pregnant women	30	83.3
Women of child bearing age (15-49 years old)	15	41.7
Adolescents and unmarried women (15-24 years old)	3	8.3
People with disabilities	3	8.3
Children (0-14 years of age)	12	33.3
Elderly people	14	38.9
Don’t know	5	13.9
Which of the following pregnant women would you consider testing for Zika virus during a current pregnancy? (Select all that apply)
Pregnant women with no exposure to Zika before or during current pregnancy	5	13.9
Pregnant women with possible exposure to Zika virus and who have Zika symptoms	24	66.7
Pregnant women with no Zika symptoms, but who have ongoing exposure to Zika	19	52.8
Pregnant women with no Zika symptoms, but who had recent exposure to Zika	22	61.1
Pregnant women with possible Zika virus exposure who have a fetus with prenatal ultrasound findings consistent with congenital Zika virus syndrome	17	47.2
Don’t know	5	13.9
How often should health care providers ask pregnant women about any possible Zika virus exposure before and during their current pregnancy? (Select all that apply)
At each prenatal care visit	22	61.1
Only at the first prenatal care visit	4	11.1
Only in her first trimester	4	11.1
Only if the patient lives in an area with large numbers of Zika virus cases	3	8.3
Don’t know	8	22.2
According to CDC testing recommendations for possible Zika virus exposure in pregnant women, how many times during pregnancy should a pregnant woman be tested for Zika virus? (Select all that apply)
Only once at the initiation of prenatal care	6	16.7
Only once during the first trimester	5	13.9
Only once during the third trimester	2	5.6
Three times during pregnancy, with the first being at the initiation of prenatal care	14	38.9
Don’t know	12	33.3
The CDC recommends the use of nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) and serologic testing to diagnose the cause of their symptoms in pregnant women with recent Zika virus exposure and Zika virus symptoms:
True	26	72.2
False	1	2.8
Don’t know	9	25.0
The CDC has a screening tool that nurses and other health care providers are to use to screen pregnant women for Zika testing:
True	23	63.9
False	4	11.1
Don’t know	9	25.0
A pregnant woman in her first trimester presents with fever that started 2 days ago. She had just come back from a Zika-infected region 1 week ago. Which of the following tests would you expect to be positive if she was infected with the Zika infection? (Select all that apply)
Zika infection serology	14	38.9
Zika infection PCR	12	33.3
Both	12	33.3
Don’t know	10	27.8
A pregnant mother in her second trimester presents with fever that started 8 days ago. She had just come back from a Zika-infected region 3 weeks ago. Which of the following tests would you expect to be positive if she was infected with the Zika infection? (Select all that apply)
Zika infection serology	9	25.0
Zika infection PCR	13	36.1
Both	12	33.3
Don’t know	10	27.8

Abbreviations: CDC, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; PCR, polymerase chain reaction.

N = 36. Percentages may not equal 100% due to rounding and/or non-reported answers.

More than half (61%, n = 22) of respondents answered that health care providers should ask pregnant women at each prenatal care visit about any possible Zika exposure that may have occurred before and during pregnancy. Thirty-nine percent (n = 14) of respondents were aware that the CDC recommends that asymptomatic pregnant women should be tested for possible Zika virus exposure 3 times during their pregnancy, but 33% (n = 12) of the participants did not know this. Seventy-two percent (72%, n = 26) of participants were aware that the CDC recommends the use of nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) and serologic testing to diagnose recent Zika virus infection in pregnant women. Furthermore, 64% (n = 23) of respondents knew that the CDC has a screening tool that nurses and other health care providers should use to screen pregnant women for Zika virus exposure. Both Zika virus serology and Zika virus infection PCR (polymerase chain reaction) (33%, n = 12) were identified as tests that will give a positive result if a pregnant woman in her first trimester presents with a fever after visiting a region with Zika.

Table 4 summarizes participants’ knowledge about the clinical management of Zika. Pain relief and fever relief medications (excluding nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications) and fluid rehydration were correctly identified by 31% (n = 11), 42% (n = 15), and 50% (n = 18) respectively of participants as options for the clinical management of Zika. Some participants incorrectly identified antivirals (44%, n = 16) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (36%, n = 13) as options for the clinical management of the infection. Approximately 26% (n = 9), 29% (n = 10), and 34% (n = 12) of the students correctly recognized saliva, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and amniotic fluid respectively as samples they would use to test for the virus. Fifty percent (n = 18) and 33% (n = 12) of respondents recognized that testing an infant or the umbilical cord serum for the infection and collecting infected CSF respectively are diagnostic tests for infants with microcephaly or intracranial calcifications who were born to women who traveled to or resided in an area with Zika infection while pregnant. Fifty-four percent (n = 19) of respondents did not know the clinical evaluation and laboratory tests that should be considered for infants with possible congenital Zika infection, while 29% (n = 10) correctly selected cranial ultrasound as one of their options.

Table 4.

Response to survey questions on physician assistant students’ knowledge on the clinical management of the Zika virus.

Section 3: Clinical management questions	n	%
What are the options for clinical management for the Zika infection? (Select all that apply)
Antivirals	16	44.4
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs	13	36.1
Pain relief medication	11	30.6
Fever relief medication	15	41.7
Fluid rehydration	18	50.0
Platelet transfusion	5	13.9
Don’t know	10	27.8
Please select all the samples below that you would consider collecting/testing for Zika infection diagnosis
Blood	24	68.6
Urine	5	14.3
Saliva	9	25.7
Cerebrospinal fluid	10	28.6
High vaginal swab	4	11.4
Semen	5	14.3
Stool	3	8.6
Nasal swab	4	11.4
GI aspirate	1	2.9
Amniotic fluid	12	34.3
Don’t know	9	25.7
Which of the following diagnostic tests are indicated for (a) infants with microcephaly or intracranial calcifications born to women who traveled to or resided in an area with Zika infection while pregnant OR (b) infants born to mothers with positive or inconclusive test results for Zika infection? (Select all that apply)
Test infant or umbilical cord serum for Zika infection	18	50.0
Collect infected CSF specifically to test for Zika infection	12	33.3
Don’t know	13	36.1
Which of the following clinical evaluation and laboratory tests should be considered for infants with possible congenital Zika infection? (Select all that apply)
Cranial ultrasound	10	28.6
Ophthalmologic evaluation before discharge or within 1 month after birth	3	8.6
Ophthalmologic evaluation when 6 months old	6	17.1
Testing for infections such as syphilis, toxoplasmosis, rubella, and cytomegalovirus infection	6	17.1
Testing for infections such as lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus infection, and herpes simplex virus infections	6	17.1
Hearing evaluation before discharge or within 1 month after birth	5	14.3
Hearing evaluation when 6 months old	2	5.7
Monitoring head circumference	8	22.9
Don’t know	19	54.3

Abbreviations: CSF, cerebrospinal fluid; GI aspirate, gastrointestinal aspirate.

N = 36. Percentages may not equal 100% due to rounding and/or non-reported answers.

Miscarriage (60%, n = 21), abortion (29%, n = 10), medical complications (43%, n = 15), and being sick (40%, n = 14) were identified as risks to pregnant women who are exposed to Zika virus, as shown in Table 5. The risk of not growing or developing normally in the womb (26%, n = 9), miscarriage (43%, n = 15), being stillborn (26%, n = 9), being born with microcephaly (51%, n = 18), and being born with a disability (40%, n = 14) were identified as risks to the fetus or baby if a woman contracts Zika virus infection while pregnant. The use of insect repellent (60%, n = 21), wearing long-sleeved clothing and trousers (54%, n = 19), and staying in an air-conditional or screened-in room (37%, n = 13) were identified as CDC guidelines for pregnant women traveling to Zika-affected countries to lower the risk of transmission of the disease. Twelve percent (n = 4) of participants correctly identified that abstaining from sexual intercourse or using condoms appropriately throughout pregnancy is the CDC’s advice about sexual intercourse for pregnant women and their partners returning from a Zika virus–affected area. However, 70% (n = 23) of the respondents did not know these recommendations.

Table 5.

Response to survey questions on physician assistant students’ knowledge on the risks and guidelines for pregnant women exposed to the Zika virus.

Section 4: Risks and guidelines for pregnant women questions	n	%
If a pregnant woman has Zika, what are the risks she faces? (Select all that apply)
She may be sick	14	40.0
She is at risk of miscarriage	21	60.0
She is at risk for abortion (legal or illegal)	10	28.6
She is at risk for medical complications secondary to abortion	15	42.9
Don’t know	9	25.7
If a pregnant woman has Zika, what are the risks for her fetus or baby? (Select all that apply)
Risk of not growing or developing normally in the womb	9	25.7
Risk of miscarriage	15	42.9
Risk of being born prematurely	13	37.1
Risk of being stillborn	9	25.7
Risk of being born with microcephaly	18	51.4
Risk of being born with a disability	14	40.0
Don’t know	11	31.4
If pregnant women choose to travel to Zika-affected countries, what CDC guidelines should be given to help reduce their risk of getting infected with Zika infection? (Select all that apply)
Use insect repellent	21	60.0
Wear long-sleeved clothing and trousers	19	54.3
Wear face mask when going out	9	25.7
Stay in air-conditional or screened-in room	13	37.1
Stay away from the beach/forest	12	34.3
Avoid going out at night to minimize risk of bites from mosquitoes that transmit Zika virus	18	51.4
None of the above	2	5.7
Don’t know	10	28.6
What is the current CDC advice on sexual intercourse for a pregnant woman and her partner returning from a Zika-affected area and who may have been exposed to the infection? (Select all that apply)
No need to abstain from sexual intercourse if partner has no symptoms	2	6.1
Abstain from sexual intercourse or use condoms appropriately for 14 days after returning	1	3.0
Abstain from sexual intercourse or use condoms appropriately for 28 days after returning	6	18.2
Abstain from sexual intercourse or use condoms appropriately throughout pregnancy	4	12.1
Partner should have semen tested for Zika infection on returning	2	6.1
Don’t know	23	69.7

Abbreviation: CDC, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

N = 36. Percentages may not equal 100% due to rounding and/or non-reported answers.

Bivariate analysis

The bivariate analysis for each of the demographic characteristics and each group of knowledge questions is documented in Table 1. The Kruskal-Wallis H Test illustrated that there was a statistically significant difference between the students’ response to questions focusing on the risks, and screening recommendations and testing of the virus, regarding their primary area of employment (H = 0.03, P < .05) and the area in which their employment is located (H = 0.01, P < .05). More specifically, students who worked in suburban settings were significantly more knowledgeable about the risks, and screening recommendations and testing for the virus than students who worked in urban areas.

Physician assistant students’ knowledge of the epidemiology, and transmission and symptoms of the virus was also statistically significant based on whether or not participants had provided care for an adult with symptoms and/or exposure to the virus (H = 0.01, P < .05). Similarly, participants’ knowledge of the epidemiology, and transmission and symptoms of the virus was statistically significant based on whether or not they had provided care for an infant with symptoms and/or exposure to the Zika virus (H = 0.04, P < .05).

Discussion

This study explored physician assistant students’ knowledge of Zika virus, focusing on critical areas that health care providers and students should be aware of if they encounter patients with symptoms and/or exposure to the virus. Based on the results from this pilot study, students had limited knowledge of the epidemiology, transmission, risks, and screening recommendations and clinical management of the Zika virus. The demographic data of these students included residents from five states: Colorado, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin, with the majority being non-Hispanic whites from Ohio, employed in the acute care setting in urban settings.

This study revealed (see Table 2) that more than half of the participants were not knowledgeable of the specific species of mosquitoes that were vectors of the Zika virus (A Aegypti). All participants knew that Zika was a viral infection and that the mosquito was the host. Less than half of participants recognized sexual contact and blood transfusion as modes of transmission. More than two thirds of participants knew that muscle/joint pain was a symptom of Zika infection. However, less than half knew that a low-grade fever, macular rash, and conjunctivitis were also symptoms of an infection. These findings from differ from those in Yung et al.’s study. Yung et al ⁵ found that most physicians (who responded in their study) identified low-grade fever (68.2%), macular rash (74.5%), and muscle/joint pain (78.2%) as symptoms of Zika virus infection. Most participants in this study linked microcephaly and Guillain-Barre Syndrome to Zika virus infection, a finding that is similar to that of the study conducted by Yung et al. ⁵

Most participants knew that pregnant women were most at risk of harm; however, less than one third identified children between the ages of 0 and 14 years old as also being at increased risk of harm from Zika virus infection (Table 3). About two thirds of participants knew that pregnant women with possible exposure to Zika virus should consider testing for the virus. Less than half of the participants had knowledge of the CDC’s recommendations for asymptomatic pregnant women with ongoing risk of exposure to the virus to be tested at least 3 times during pregnancy for the Zika virus. Most participants knew that the CDC recommended using nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) and serologic test for recent Zika exposure and or symptom onset for the diagnosis in pregnant women.

Half of the participants knew that fluid hydration is recommended for management of the infection. Less than half knew that pain relief and fever relief medications (excluding nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications) were other treatments. Almost half of the participants surveyed did not know that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications are not options for clinical management of the Zika virus. The results in this study pertaining to the use of fluid hydration were different from those in Yung et al’s ⁵ study where 90% of respondents identified fluid hydration for the clinical management of symptoms. Respondents in Yung et al’s ⁵ study correctly identified fever relief (90%) and pain relief (82.7%) medications as other treatment options. The differences in the knowledge in these two groups may be attributable to many factors, with possibly the most important being that the participants in Yung et al’s ⁵ study were practicing physicians while respondents in this study are first-year students.

Participants’ responses to questions on the risks, and CDC’s recommendations for screening and testing for the Zika virus were statistically significant based on their primary area of employment and employment location. Those employed in a suburban setting had more knowledge in these areas. Participants’ knowledge of the epidemiology, transmission, and symptoms of Zika virus infection was also statistically significant based on whether or not they had provided care to an adult or infant with symptoms of Zika virus infection or exposure to the virus.

Students in this study lacked knowledge about CDC recommendations for screenings, as well as diagnostic tools for Zika virus. The natural host of the virus, identification of at-risk populations, and the symptoms of infection are also areas in which participants had limited knowledge. Most participants selected the television as their source of information about the virus, with social media being the second most frequently identified source of information. Professional organizations and journals were the least frequently selected source of information, which may highlight the importance of social media and television as sources of information.

Participants who had cared for adults or infants who either were exposed to the virus or had symptoms of the virus were more knowledgeable about the epidemiology, transmission, and symptoms of the virus than those without these experiences were. In addition, students who identified their primary place of employment as a suburban setting were more knowledgeable about the risks, and recommendations for virus screening and testing.

Limitations

The major limitation of this study is that the sample size is small, consisting of a convenience group of physician assistant students at a university in the Midwestern United States. Therefore, the findings from this study are not generalizable to other physician assistant studies students, but only to first-year physician assistant studies students of this institution. Another limitation relates to the lack of reliability data for the research instrument. Pilot testing the instrument before using it in a larger study is recommended. Another recommendation is to replicate this study with a national random sample of physician assistant studies students after the survey instrument has been pilot tested. Retesting this group of students as they get to the end of their program of studies to compare what they know or retain about Zika virus, as they get closer to caring for patients independently, should also be done.

Conclusions

This was the first study that examined a group of future health care professionals’ knowledge about Zika virus. This pilot study contributed baseline information about physician assistant students in one physician assistant studies program about their knowledge of Zika virus. Although the study did not present any new knowledge about the screening or management of the virus, it is valuable in that it was able to identify what one cohort of students who are future health care professionals know about various aspects of this virus.