title: Toxoplasmosis: an examination of knowledge among health professionals and pregnant women in a municipality of the State of Paraná.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to investigate the knowledge of toxoplasmosis among professionals and pregnant women in the public health services in Paraná, Brazil.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional observational and transversal study of 80 health professionals (44 nurses and 36 physicians) and 330 pregnant women [111 immunoglobulin M (IgM)- and IgG-non-reactive and 219 IgG-reactive] was conducted in 2010. An epidemiological data questionnaire was administered to the professionals and to the pregnant women, and a questionnaire about the clinical aspects and laboratory diagnosis of toxoplasmosis was administered to the professionals.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The participants frequently provided correct responses about prophylactic measures. Regarding the clinical and laboratory aspects, the physicians provided more correct responses and discussed toxoplasmosis with the pregnant women. The professionals had difficulty interpreting the avidity test results, and the physicians stated that they referred pregnant women with high-risk pregnancies to a county reference center. Of the professionals, 53 (91.4%) reported that they instructed women during prenatal care, but only 54 (48.6%) at-risk pregnant women and 99 (45.2%) women who were not at risk reported receiving information about preventive measures. The physicians provided verbal instructions to 120 (78.4%) women, although instructional materials were available in the county. The pregnant women generally lacked knowledge about preventive measures for congenital toxoplasmosis, but the at-risk pregnant women tended to respond correctly.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study provides data to direct public health policies regarding the importance of updating the knowledge of primary care professionals. Mechanisms should be developed to increase public knowledge because prophylactic strategies are important for preventing congenital toxoplasmosis.
authors.affiliation: Hospital Universitário de Cascavel, Universidade Estadual Oeste do Paraná, Cascavel, PR, Brasil.
authors.forename: Ana Paula
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Contiero-Toninato
authors.affiliation: Hospital Universitário de Cascavel, Universidade Estadual Oeste do Paraná, Cascavel, PR, Brasil.
authors.forename: Helenara Osorio
authors.initials: HO
authors.lastname: Cavalli
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Parasitologia Básica, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Maringá, PR.
authors.forename: Ariella Andrade
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Marchioro
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Estatística, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Maringá, PR.
authors.forename: Erika Cristina
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Ferreira
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Maringá, PR.
authors.forename: Marcela Caleffi da Costa Lima
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Caniatti
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Ciências Patológicas, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Maringá, PR.
authors.forename: Regina Mitsuka
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Breganó
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Maringá, PR.
authors.forename: Italmar
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Navarro
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Maringá, PR.
authors.forename: Ana Lucia
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Falavigna-Guilherme
mesh_terms: D001938:Brazil; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D009726:Nurses / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010820:Physicians / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011247:Pregnancy; D015597:Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014125:Toxoplasmosis, Congenital / Q000517:prevention & control