Evaluation of sero-epidemiology of toxoplasmosis with its associated risk factors among antenatal attendees of a referral health facility in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

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Toxoplasmosis is a disease that can infect pregnant women, foetus, women of childbearing age and it is also zoonotic. The sero-prevalence of toxoplasmosis with its associated risk factors in two hundred and seventy-seven gravidae attending University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital was investigated to ascertain the current status of toxoplasmosis in Rivers State. Blood samples were collected from the subjects through veno-puncture, and the blood tests performed using the rapid test kits for Toxoplasma gondii IgG and IgM antibodies following manufacturer’s instructions. Commercial pregnancy test kits and HIV test kits were used to confirm their pregnancy and HIV status. Out of the 277 pregnant subjects examined, the overall prevalence was 5(1.8%) for T. gondii IgG antibody and 14(6.9%) positive for HIV. None of the HIV pregnant subjects were positive for toxoplasmosis. Chi-square analysis was used to assess the distribution of toxoplasmosis and other variables. The age groups 20 -29 years and 30-39 years had the highest sero-prevalence rates of 3(60%) and 2(40%) respectively for IgG while age group 40-49 years recorded no sero-prevalence. Exposure related sero-prevalence showed that eating of raw vegetables, undercooked meat, and exposure to contaminated soil through farming were more sensitive risk factors associated with toxoplasmosis than others. There was no statistically significant difference observed among those using cat as pets (P>0.05). A higher statistically significant difference was observed among the subjects that ate raw vegetables and drank untreated water (P<0.05) compared to those who ate cooked vegetables and drank treated water. The need for intensified health campaign to enlighten the society and pregnant mothers on the dangers of acquiring this neglected tropical disease- toxoplasmosis- and how to prevent it has been advocated.