Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in unmarried women in Qazvin, Islamic Republic of Iran

• Published in: Eastern Mediterranean health journal Vol. 16; no. 1; pp. 24 - 28
• Main Authors: Hashemi, H Jahani, Saraei, M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Egypt 01.01.2010
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Age Distribution; Analysis of Variance; Antibodies, Protozoan - blood; Cross-Sectional Studies; Educational Status; Employment - statistics & numerical data; Female; Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; Health Services Needs and Demand; Humans; Immunoglobulin G - blood; Iran - epidemiology; Patient Education as Topic; Premarital Examinations; Seroepidemiologic Studies; Single Person - education; Single Person - statistics & numerical data; Students - statistics & numerical data; Toxoplasma - immunology; Toxoplasmosis - blood; Toxoplasmosis - epidemiology; Toxoplasmosis - immunology; Toxoplasmosis - prevention & control; Women - education; Iran
• ISSN: 1020-3397; 1020-3397; 1687-1634
• DOI: 10.26719/2010.16.1.24

In a cross-sectional study, we evaluated the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii among 400 women referred to Qazvin community health centre laboratory for pre-marriage examinations. Indirect immunofluorescent antibody test was used to detect IgG anti-toxoplasma. Titres > or = 1: 20 were considered positive. The overall seropositivity was 34%. Mean age was significantly higher in seropositive women (P < 0.05). Seropositivity was highest among unemployed women (38.3%) and lowest among students (22.6%), and was significantly higher in women with less than high-school education (P < 0.05). With two-thirds of these unmarried women seronegative, they represent a high-risk group in pregnancy. Such women need to be educated to prevent congenital toxoplasmosis.