Awareness, knowledge and risk factors of infection among pregnant women in the Western Black Sea region of Turkey.

() infection causes serious problems leading to maternal complications and foetal anomalies during pregnancy. The aim of this study was to identify risk factors for toxoplasmosis and to determine the seroprevalence of the disease with regard to the awareness levels of patients. A total of 214 pregnant women who were admitted to Karabuk University, Gynaecology and Obstetrics Clinic between July 2018 and November 2018 and accepted to participate were included this cross-sectional study. Venous blood samples were obtained and anti- IgG and IgM levels were analysed. The demographic characteristics of the patients were recorded and a questionnaire investigating about risk factors were completed. The relationship between toxoplasmosis and risk factors was evaluated using multivariate regression analysis. The prevalence of toxoplasmosis among the pregnant women was 14% (35/214). The potential risk factors of toxoplasmosis were primigravidity (AOR = 2.56 95% CI: [1.26-8.26]), cat ownership (AOR = 10.29, 95% CI: [3.58-29.60]), and sausage/salami consumption (AOR = 2.96, 95%CI: [2.10-7.46]);22.4% of the women were aware of toxoplasmosis, and awareness was significantly higher in multigravida women compared with primigravida women (=.042). Congenital toxoplasmosis can be prevented through pregnancy screening programmes and education aimed at increasing awareness and protection.IMPACT STATEMENT The seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis is very variable and may differ significantly between countries, and even different geographic regions of the same country. Raising awareness of the disease among persons in risk groups through education is a primary objective in prevention. seropositivity was found to be related with being primigravid, cat ownership and having close contact with cats, and consumption of meat products such as salami and sausages. In addition, primigravidity is a risk factor for toxoplasmosis because the awareness of the disease was lower than in multiparous women. It should also be known that women of childbearing age are in the high-risk group for toxoplasmosis, and studies on preventive measures should be performed. Increased awareness can prevent infection and the possibility of complications due to congenital toxoplasmosis, especially in the reproductive period of women.