Epidemiological factors associated with Toxoplasma gondii infection in postpartum women treated in the public healthcare system of Goiânia, State of Goiás, Brazil
Rev. Soc. Bras. Med. Trop
;
51(1): 57-62, Jan.-Feb. 2018. tab
Article
in English
| LILACS
| ID: biblio-897044
ABSTRACT
Abstract INTRODUCTION:
Knowledge of the epidemiological profile and risk factors for Toxoplasma gondii infection among postpartum women is a relevant issue, because this protozoan can be vertically transmitted to the developing fetus, which can cause severe and debilitating disease. The aim of this study was to assess the risk factors associated with T. gondii infection in postpartum women in Goiânia, GO, Brazil.METHODS:
This cross-sectional study comprised 229 postpartum women, among whom 204 were chronically infected (IgG+/IgM-), and 25 were seronegative (IgG-/IgM-; control group). All the patients were asked to complete a form to provide sociodemographic, clinical, dietary, and cultural information. The data were analyzed to compare seropositivity and risk factors based on the odds ratio (OR) thereof.RESULTS:
The sociodemographic characteristics associated with the risk for toxoplasmosis were education ≤ 8 years [OR 2.521, confidence interval (CI) 1.01-6.301, p=0.049], and age ≥ 30 years (OR 4.090; CI 1.180-14.112, p=0.023). Clinical and behavioral characteristics related to eating raw and undercooked meat, were not found to be risk factors associated with a positive test for toxoplasmosis.CONCLUSIONS:
Our findings concur with the results of other studies conducted in Brazil and abroad, where variables such as low levels of schooling, and advanced age (≥ 30 years) are major risk factors for pregnant women to become infected with T. gondii.
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Index:
LILACS (Americas)
Main subject:
Toxoplasma
/
Antibodies, Protozoan
/
Toxoplasmosis
/
Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic
/
Postpartum Period
Type of study:
Diagnostic study
/
Etiology study
/
Observational study
/
Prevalence study
/
Risk factors
Limits:
Adult
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Pregnancy
Country/Region as subject:
South America
/
Brazil
Language:
English
Journal:
Rev. Soc. Bras. Med. Trop
Journal subject:
Tropical Medicine
Year:
2018
Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Brazil
Institution/Affiliation country:
Universidade Federal de Goiás/BR
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