Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in unmarried women in Qazvin, Islamic Republic of Iran/Seroprevalence de Toxoplasma gondii chez les femmes non mariees a Qazvin (Republique islamique d'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: Alexandria World Health Organization 01.01.2010
• Subjects: Demographic aspects; Education; Government employees; Health aspects; Pregnancy; Prevalence studies (Epidemiology); Risk factors; Rural areas; Sample size; Single women; Statistical analysis; Students; Toxoplasmosis; Iran
• ISSN: 1020-3397; 1020-3397; 1687-1634

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 [greater than or equal to] 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. Dans une etude transversale, nous avons evalue la seroprevalence de Toxoplasma gondii chez 400 femmes adressees au laboratoire du centre de sante communautaire de Qazvin en vue d'examens prenuptiaux. La detection des anticorps anti-toxoplasmose de type IgG a ete realisee grace a la technique de l'immunofluorescence indirecte. Les titres superieurs ou egaux a 1/20 ont ete consideres comme positifs. La seropositivite globale s'elevait a 34 %. L'age moyen etait significativement plus eleve chez les femmes seropositives (P < 0,05). La seropositivite la plus elevee se trouvait chez les femmes sans emploi (38,3 %) et la plus faible, chez les etudiantes (22,6 %) ; elle etait significativement plus elevee chez les femmes qui avaient arrete leur scolarite avant le secondaire (P < 0,05). Les deux tiers de ces femmes non mariees etant seronegatives, elles pourraient representer un groupe a haut risque au moment de la grossesse. Une action educative doit etre menee aupres d'elles afin de leur eviter de contracter une toxoplasmose congenitale. [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII]