Seroepidemiology of Among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Care in Northwest Ethiopia.

INTRODUCTION

Toxoplasmosis is a life-threatening disease in pregnant women, having social and economic impacts due to congenital toxoplasmosis. However, in Ethiopia, it is neglected zoonotic disease, which requires screening and identifying risk factors in pregnant women to plan a public health intervention.

METHODS

This institutional-based cross-sectional study was employed from March to April 2019 to estimate the seropositivity and assess potential risk factors for among pregnant women attending antenatal care in four public hospitals in Northwest Ethiopia. Four hundred and one pregnant women were recruited to collect serum samples. antibodies were tested using Toxo-Latex slide agglutination test.

RESULTS

Thus, the overall seropositivity for was found 70.8% (95% CI: 66.3-75.5). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that the average monthly income, occupational status, habits of handwashing practices after handling raw meat, water sources for drinking and agroclimatic situations revealed significant ( < 0.05) effects on seropositivity for in pregnant women.

CONCLUSION

This survey showed high seropositivity for among pregnant women in Northwest Ethiopia. Therefore, further studies on bioassay, isolation and genotype of the pathogen are crucial. It also requires action to prevent and control the infection with in pregnant women, which poses a potential threat to a foetus.