Parasite (Sep 2010)
Risk factors for Toxoplasma infection in pregnant women in FYR of Macedonia*
Abstract
The aim of the study was to identify risk factors for Toxoplasma gondii infection in pregnant women in FYR of Macedonia. Retrospective analysis of serological and epidemiological data in a series of 235 pregnant women from Macedonia, tested for Toxoplasma infection between January 2004 and December 2005, showed an overall prevalence of infection of 20.4 %. Exposure to transmission factors significantly increased the risk of infection (RR = 1.989, 95 % CI = 1.041-3.800, p = 0.037). The single infection transmission factor that was a predictor of infection in the whole series was exposure to soil (RR = 1.946, 95 % CI = 1.026-3.692, p = 0.041). Based on prevalence and the established risk factors for Toxoplasma infection in Macedonia, the health education programme as a sustainable measure for the prevention of congenital toxoplasmosis should focus on educating women of generative age to avoid contact with soil (farming, gardening), and/to adhere to strict hygienic practices afterwards.
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