Jama Abdiqani Mohamed, Yihun Taddesse Yayeh
College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine University of Hargeisa Hargeisa Somaliland.
School of Veterinary Medicine Bahir Dar University Bahir Dar Ethiopia.
Public Health Chall. 2025 Feb 21;4(1):e70035. doi: 10.1002/puh2.70035. eCollection 2025 Mar.
Toxoplasmosis has public health importance, particularly in immunocompromised individuals such as pregnant women leading to congenital abnormalities and fetal losses. In this study, we aimed to determine the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in sheep at Mandeeq Slaughter House in Hargeisa and pregnant women attending antenatal care at Hargeisa Group Hospital.
Cross-sectional study design with systematic random sampling method and Questionnaire surveys were used for the collection of data from sheep and pregnant women. Sera were collected and examined for anti- antibodies using latex agglutination test.
The overall prevalences of toxoplasmosis were 25.5% and 28% in sheep and human, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression analysis indicated that female (AOR = 2.18; 95% CI: 1.38-3.47; = 0.001) and young age groups of sheep (AOR = 3.04; 95% CI: 1.04-8.86; = 0.041) were significantly associated with seropositivity. In pregnant women, age groups between 25 and 34 (AOR = 2.76; 95% CI: 1.07-7.14; = 0.037), pregnant women who have cats in their home (AOR = 6.45; 95% CI: 2.37-17.52; = 0.000), women who have close contact with garden soil (AOR = 6.74; 95% CI: 2.55-17.81; = 0.000), poor hand washing practices before food eating (AOR = 29.5; 95% CI: 5.41-161.11; = 0.000), and drinking tap water (AOR = 8.4; 95% CI: 2.54-28.08; = 0.000) were significantly associated with seropositivity.
Toxoplasmosis is prevalent in sheep and pregnant women in Hargeisa. We recommend that pregnant women should avoid eating uncooked mutton, reduce gardening activities, keep personal and environmental hygiene, and drink boiled water to reduce the risk of the toxoplasmosis.
弓形虫病具有公共卫生重要性，尤其在免疫功能低下的个体中，如孕妇，可导致先天性异常和胎儿丢失。在本研究中，我们旨在确定哈尔格萨曼德克屠宰场绵羊以及在哈尔格萨集团医院接受产前护理的孕妇中弓形虫病的血清流行率。
采用横断面研究设计和系统随机抽样方法，并通过问卷调查从绵羊和孕妇中收集数据。采集血清并使用乳胶凝集试验检测抗弓形虫抗体。
绵羊和人类中弓形虫病的总体流行率分别为25.5%和28%。多变量逻辑回归分析表明，雌性绵羊（比值比[AOR]=2.18；95%置信区间[CI]：1.38 - 3.47；P=0.001）和幼年绵羊（AOR = 3.04；95% CI：1.04 - 8.86；P = 0.041）与血清阳性显著相关。在孕妇中，25至34岁年龄组（AOR = 2.76；95% CI：1.07 - 7.14；P = 0.037）、家中养猫的孕妇（AOR = 6.45；95% CI：2.37 - 17.52；P = 0.000）、与花园土壤密切接触的女性（AOR = 6.74；95% CI：2.55 - 17.81；P = 0.000）、饭前洗手习惯差（AOR = 29.5；95% CI：5.41 - 161.11；P = 0.000）以及饮用自来水（AOR = 8.4；95% CI：2.54 - 28.08；P = 0.000）与血清阳性显著相关。
弓形虫病在哈尔格萨的绵羊和孕妇中普遍存在。我们建议孕妇应避免食用未煮熟的羊肉，减少园艺活动，保持个人和环境卫生，并饮用开水以降低弓形虫病的风险。
