Knowledge and attitudes about toxoplasmosis among female university students in Egypt

Abstract

This study aimed to assess toxoplasmosis-related knowledge, attitudes and preventive practices among female undergraduate students in Beni-Suef University, Egypt. A cross-sectional design with a multi-stage random sample of female Beni-Suef university students were recruited in this survey over a period of 8 weeks' duration using a self-administrated questionnaire. Among 1079 female students, only 35 (3.2%) had good knowledge. Female students of the Health Care faculty and students from rural areas had a significantly higher rate of good knowledge. The results also illustrated that most of the studied sample (63%) had a negative attitude. Nearly one-third of participants were convinced that toxoplasmosis shows symptoms and only (25.6%) agreed about the occurrence of toxoplasmosis infection during pregnancy. A significant positive correlation was found between the total knowledge score and the total attitude score of female students, indicating that students with better knowledge had more positive attitudes. Of the participants, 67.1% always ate fast food, while 70.7%, 72% and 78.2% of female students reported hand washing after gardening, cleaning areas where cats were and cooking with meat, respectively. Knowledge regarding toxoplasmosis was deficient among female students attending Beni-Suef University, and they had a negative attitude regarding toxoplasmosis. There was also a positive correlation between students' knowledge and their attitude toward toxoplasmosis infection. Many students avoided risk behaviors in the correct way, without realizing what they avoided. There is a critical need for efficient educational programs to raise the population's awareness regarding toxoplasmosis.