Zika Virus Gets Rational Response from US Moms-To-Be and Their Doctors, Although Issues Remain, According to New Data from InCrowd

BOSTON, MA--(Marketwired - Feb 12, 2016) -  New data on sentiment about the Zika virus recently obtained by InCrowd, a provider of real-time market intelligence to life sciences and healthcare firms, shows that gynecologists, obstetrician/gynecologists (OB/GYNs) and their patients are keeping a balanced perspective on the virus to date, although cautions remain.

Find more details around the Zika virus survey and results online.

Physicians were recommending women follow common-sense, though not extraordinary practices, to avoid the Zika virus. Only a third of these doctors would automatically test for the Zika virus if the patient had been to an affected area. While 90% of gynecologists and OB/GYNs surveyed had recommended their patients not travel to affected countries while they are expecting or looking to become pregnant, the doctors' primary recommendations were use of mosquito protection and reading Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) bulletins online prior to travel.

65% of the women surveyed were very concerned about the Zika virus, yet over half of those considering getting pregnant would not delay pregnancy plans under any circumstances. "I don't believe I'm at risk in the US," said one patient respondent in a remark echoed in other verbatim responses. Only one in four women reported that they are postponing any attempts to become pregnant. Among other findings:

• Travel considerations existed for patients, but not to the extreme. Only 27% are reconsidering upcoming travel plans to certain regions in the US.
• Insect repellent is presently being used by 56% of women surveyed. Nearly half are urging friends/family to take additional precautions to protect themselves against the Zika virus.
• Notably 20% of women said they aren't taking any of the commonly considered precautions at all.

Preparedness among doctors and hospitals, and US government support for that, was an issue. 

• 49% of the gynecologists and OB/GYNs responding said they do not feel prepared to treat a patient that has potentially contracted the disease. 
• Only 34% of physicians reported that their hospitals have a Zika virus protocol. Those that do have modified questionnaires to ask about recent travel, obtain blood for testing, and refer to CDC guidelines.
• About half of both doctors and women surveyed moderately agreed that the US government was taking strong precautions to present the spread of the Zika virus, although data were captured prior to the Obama administration's commitment of $1.8 billion to fight the virus.

"US doctors and patients are certainly monitoring the Zika virus, but not overreacting to it, according to our new data," said Diane Hayes, Ph.D., president and co-founder of InCrowd, and an epidemiologist by background. "We'll be continuing to track this important public health matter in the weeks to come." 

The results reflect a high level of awareness of the disease from US women:

• Out of the 629 pre-screened women who initially responding to the survey, 77% had heard news regarding the Zika virus, with only one in five women not hearing any news about the virus.

InCrowd's mobile microsurvey captured data from 220 individuals. These included 70 US-based -- triple-verified -- gynecologists or OB/GYNs with a minimum of 20 expectant patients, who as a group had an average of 100 expectant patients, and 70 trying-to-get-expectant patients. Physicians responded between February 3-5, 2016. The microsurvey also included 150 women between ages 18-45 who responded between February 5-7, 2016, including 20% who were pregnant, and 80% who were considering becoming pregnant.

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About InCrowd 

InCrowd provides real-time market intelligence from validated experts, connecting life sciences companies directly with prescribers, patients, and other screened and validated healthcare professionals around the globe. Our easy-to-use, proprietary, web-based application allows clients to ask questions of specific respondent groups -- "Crowds" -- in the form of 2-5 minute, online microsurveys. Responses are available in real time, with the needed answers delivered within hours or days, not weeks and months. Through its powerful, mobile, microsurvey methodology and analytics engine, InCrowd enables clients to reach 1.8M healthcare professionals on-demand throughout the United States and around the globe in 20 languages. 

For more information, visit www.incrowdnow.com.