Toxoplasmosis and Associated Risk Factors in Antenatal Clinic follow up Pregnant Women in Selected Health Institutes of Jigjiga, East Ethiopia

Abstract

Toxoplasma gondii infections in pregnancy lead devastating effects including blindness, neurological impairment and mental retardation in congenitally infected children. Despite such adverse effects caused by this parasite, data on morbidities and associated risk factors among pregnant women in Jigjiga, Ethiopia is scarce. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondi infections and associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care in public health institutes of Jigjiga, East Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was undertaken from September to January, 2013. Three hundred and one pregnant  women  attending antenatal clinic were  screened for Toxoplasma gondi  antibodies using commercially available Huma Tex TOXO test kits. Out of the 301 women tested, 105 (34.9%) has Toxoplasma antibody. Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma was seen to be significantly associated with eye disease (p < 0.05). However results of this study show low seroprevalence rate there is the need to include the testing of Toxoplasma as a part of the antenatal investigation done on pregnant women and to educate women about the risk factors that lead to Toxoplasma gondi infection in order to reduce congenital malformations and death as a result of these infections.