The Zika virus (ZIKV) infection outbreak in Brazil surged in late 2014, peaking in 2015. The most affected region was the northeast, but Rio de Janeiro was especially affected in poor, vulnerable, low-income communities with inadequate sanitation and water. Most cases of the ZIKV-related neurologic syndrome, microcephaly, were detected among newborns coming from this environment.

To identify risk perception and consequences of ZIKV infection for pregnant women in a vulnerable community in Rio de Janeiro.

Forty women who frequented a primary health care center (PHC) in a ZIKV-prone area of Rio de Janeiro were interviewed based on an open-ended questionnaire on ZIKV infection and risk. No censorship regarding age or other demographic characteristics was applied. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed according to analytical categories stemming from the literature and prior work. Preliminary analysis focused on risks for pregnant women and other groups.

Absolute number of responses reflect density of issues within all responses. Age range was 15-60 years. Several women identified microcephaly as a consequence of ZIKV infection for newborns, but many respondents did not cite any health problem associated with ZIKA in pregnancy. Although some cited pregnant women and children as most vulnerable, people living in or near insalubrious environments, such as the elderly, and those with low immunity were more cited. Information was mostly obtained from health professionals and television. Many confused origin and symptoms of ZIKV infection with other arbovirus infections.

This vulnerable group of women, who continuously attend a PHC in the area, have had community experience with the disease and its consequences, showed surprisingly little knowledge as to the risks of ZIKV infection for pregnant women. Results may indicate that the health system has still not achieved adequate risk communication for at-risk women for ZIKV infection in Rio de Janeiro.