Assessing the Quality of the Systems of Care for Children with Congenital Zika Virus Infection and Other Neurodevelopmental Disabilities in the United States Pacific Island Territories.
Congenital Zika virus (ZIKV) infection can cause lifelong medical and developmental conditions and management needs. There is limited information on the strengths and weaknesses of the systems of care for addressing ZIKV and other neurodevelopmental disabilities (NRD) in the United States (US) Affiliated Pacific Island Territories. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to assess the quality of the chronic illness systems of care for children with congenital ZIKV and other NRD in the US Pacific Island Territories. A cross-sectional study was conducted among health professionals from American Samoa, Guam, and Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Participants completed an adapted version of the Assessment of Chronic Illness Care 3.5 (ACIC), which is based on the Chronic Care Model. The median Total Program Score was calculated, which ranged from limited support (0-2), basic support (3-5), reasonably good support (6-8), to fully developed support for care (9-11). Among the 17 health professionals who completed the survey, 47% were Guamanian/Chamorro, 24% were Samoan, 12% were Filipino, and 6% were Other Pacific Islanders. The median (25th percentile, 75th percentile [interquartile range]) Total Program Score was 5 (3, 6 [3]), indicating basic support for ZIKV and other NRD care for children. As more is learned about the full spectrum of clinical findings related to ZIKV, it is critical to continue to build an interdisciplinary maternal and child health workforce with the capacity and preparation to adequately address the special needs of children with ZIKV and other NRD.
['Zai|Tiffany|T|', 'Yasuda|Patrice M|PM|', 'Rao|Sheela|S|', 'Iizumi|Staci|S|', 'Vanderbilt|Douglas L|DL|', 'Deavenport-Saman|Alexis|A|']
D002648:Child D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies D006801:Humans D044468:Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander D010139:Pacific Islands D014481:United States D000071244:Zika Virus D000071243:Zika Virus Infection
congenital Zika virus infection neurodevelopmental disabilities US Pacific Island Territories chronic care model interdisciplinary