title: Toxoplasmosis-serological evidence and associated risk factors among pregnant women in southern Thailand.
abstract: Toxoplasma gondii is an important parasite in pregnant women. This case-controlled study assessed the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in 640 pregnant women in southern Thailand and identified their associated risk factors. The overall seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis was 181 (28.3%). Of this, 138 (21.6%) were positive for only anti-Toxoplasma immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody, 43 (6.7%) were positive for both IgG and IgM antibodies, and none were positive for IgM antibody. Multivariate analysis revealed that increasing age (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 1.64, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.01-2.67), living outside Songkhla province (adjusted OR = 1.56, 95% CI = 1.08-2.24), parity (adjusted OR = 1.65, 95% CI = 1.01-2.68), contact with cats (adjusted OR = 1.70, 95% CI = 1.20-2.43), and drinking of unclean water (adjusted OR = 1.70, 95% CI = 1.08-2.68) were factors associated with Toxoplasma seroprevalence. On the basis of the results obtained, a health surveillance program should be initiated as a primary preventive measure for congenital toxoplasmosis and focus on educating women of the child-bearing age group to avoid contact with cats and to strictly practice personal hygiene.
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. nissapat@gmail.com
authors.forename: Veeranoot
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Nissapatorn
authors.forename: Chitkasaem
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Suwanrath
authors.forename: Nongyao
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sawangjaroen
authors.forename: Lau Yee
authors.initials: LY
authors.lastname: Ling
authors.forename: Verapol
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Chandeying
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D013785:Thailand / Q000453:epidemiology; D014123:Toxoplasmosis / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D055815:Young Adult