Observational study to assess pregnant women’s knowledge and behaviour related to toxoplasmosis in Essaouira province, Morocco

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Observational study to assess pregnant women’s knowledge and behaviour related to toxoplasmosis in Essaouira province, Morocco

Journal Title: Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine - Year 2019, Vol 12, Issue 2

Abstract

Objective: To assess knowledge and behaviour related to toxoplasmosis which remains a neglected disease in Morocco. Methods: Observational investigations were conducted among 600 pregnant women from Essaouira Province. The interview items covered respondents’ knowledge of the disease, its preventive practices and risk behaviours. Results: A total of 22/600 women had already carried out the anti-toxoplasmosis test, while, 96% have never done any screening of anti- Toxoplasma antibodies. Only 16/600 women have good information about the disease, its mode of transmission and its complications in both the fetus and his mother. Although most women adopt a healthy diet, the consumption of raw or undercooked meat is far to be considered as a risk factor, along with other potential factors that may foster the acquisition of the disease, such as possessing a domestic cat, educational status and knowledge of the disease. However, in this study, contact with soil was revealed the most important risk factor (P = 0.045), followed by the hygiene conditions after handling raw meat (P = 0.048). Conclusion: The underestimation of the Toxoplasma gondii sero-prevalence in Essaouira Province can be explained by the absence of toxoplasmosis serology in health institutions, as well as the gap of knowledge about the disease by local population.

Authors and Affiliations

Samia Boussaa

Keywords

EP ID EP447931
DOI 10.4103/1995-7645.250842
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