[A sero-epidemiological survey of infections in high-risk populations in Hangzhou City].

OBJECTIVE

To understand the status of infections and the awareness of toxoplasmosis prevention and control knowledge among high-risk populations in Hangzhou City.

METHODS

The serum anti- antibodies were detected in 100 HIV/AIDS patients, 100 cancer patients, 100 pregnant women and 100 healthy controls, and the awareness of toxoplasmosis prevention and control knowledge was investigated using a questionnaire.

RESULTS

The sero-prevalence of infection was 31%, 30% and 21% in HIV/AIDS patients, cancer patients and pregnant women, which was all significantly higher than in healthy controls ( = 14.68, 13.96 and 7.56, all values < 0.01). The pregnant women had a high awareness rate of toxoplasmosis prevention and control knowledge, and the healthy controls had a low awareness rate. In addition, the subjects had a low awareness rate regarding the questions including"Do you know the damages of infections?", "Do you know that consumption of raw or uncooked meat may cause infections?", and"Do you know that contact with contaminated soil may cause infections?".

CONCLUSIONS

The sero-prevalence of infection is high among the high-risk populations in Hangzhou City, including the HIV/AIDS patients, cancer patients and pregnant women, and these high-risk populations have a low awareness rate of some toxoplasmosis prevention and control knowledge. Therefore, it is essential to improve the health education of toxoplasmosis prevention and control knowledge among the high-risk populations, so as to effectively prevent and control human infections.