Abstract:
Background: Toxoplasmosis is a very common infection in human caused by an obligate
intracellular protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Humans become infected mainly by
ingesting T. gondii tissue cysts present in undercooked meat, ingesting infectious oocysts present
in water and garden soil contaminated by infected cat feces or through congenital transplacental
transmission. About one third of primary Toxoplasmosis cases occurring during pregnancy lead
to congenital Toxoplasmosis with consequent pathological effects.
Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the seroprevalence of T. gondii among pregnant
women and assess the associated risk factors.
Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted from July 4 -29, 2011 among pregnant women
in Jimma Town. Venous blood specimens were collected from 201 pregnant women in 5 kebeles
of the town and tested for IgM and IgG anti-T. gondii antibodies by ELISA (Human Gesellschaft
für Biochemica und Diagnostica mbH) according to manufacturer’s instruction.
Findings: The overall seroprevalence of T.gondii among the pregnant women was 83.6% (95%
CI, 78.5 – 88.7%). One hundred sixty three (81.1%) of the pregnant women were IgG anti -T.
gondii seropositive and five of the 33 pregnant women seronegative for IgG anti-T. gondii
antibody were seropositive for IgM anti-T. gondii antibody. Among the risk factors and sociodemographic characteristics assessed, age group and presence of domestic cats at home (AOR =
6.7, 95%CI =2.2 20.3) were significantly associated with anti-T. gondii seropositivity. Habit of
eating raw meat, occupation, contact with soil and other socio-demographic factors did not
show significant association with anti-T. gondii seropositivity.
Recommendation: Health information on the disease, its transmission and risk factors is
recommended to be given to women of reproductive age group and policy makers should
consider test for T. gondii infection during pregnancy to prevent the tragic outcome of
congenital toxoplasmosis.
