Prevalence and risk factors of toxoplasmosis among pregnant women in Fortaleza, Northeastern Brazil

Sroka, Susann, Bartelheimer, Nina , Winter, Andreas , Heukelbach, Jörg, Ariza, Liana, Ribeiro, Heliane , Oliveira, Fabíola Araujo, Queiroz, Ajax Jose Nogueira, Alencar , Carlos , and Liesenfeld, Oliver (2010) Prevalence and risk factors of toxoplasmosis among pregnant women in Fortaleza, Northeastern Brazil. American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 83 (3). pp. 528-533.

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Abstract

We determined the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and associated risk factors among 963 pregnant women attending an obstetric hospital in Fortaleza, Brazil. Seroprevalences of IgG and IgM against T. gondii were 68.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 65.6-71.6%) and 0.5% (95% CI = 0.06-1.0%), respectively. Seroprevalence of IgG was high in women less than 25 years of age (91.7%) and in low-income women (odds Ratio [OR] = 1.40, 95% CI = 1.02-1.90). Multivariate regression analysis showed that consumption of homemade water ice (adjusted OR = 1.49, 95% CI = 1.09-2.04), vegetables washed with untreated water (adjusted OR = 1.43, 95% CI = 1.05-1.94), consumption of chicken (adjusted OR = 1.49, 95% CI = 1.12-2.0), and dog ownership (adjusted OR= 1.46, 95% CI = 1.07-1.98) were factors associated with IgG seropositivity. Young women in northeastern Brazil living under poor socioeconomic conditions are at highest risk for acquiring infection with T. gondii. Oocyst contamination of water and soil must be addressed in future prevention strategies.

Item ID: 17039
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 1476-1645
Date Deposited: 18 May 2011 02:25
FoR Codes: 11 MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES > 1117 Public Health and Health Services > 111799 Public Health and Health Services not elsewhere classified @ 100%
SEO Codes: 92 HEALTH > 9204 Public Health (excl. Specific Population Health) > 920499 Public Health (excl. Specific Population Health) not elsewhere classified @ 100%
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