Modern Care Journal

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Background : Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular protozoan that causes severe infections in humans and animals. This study investigated the prevalence of toxoplasmosis infection in women in pre marriage stage in Birjand.   Methods : This cross-sectional study was done in 2008. By randomized-simple sampling, we evaluated the anti Toxoplasma antibody (total antibody) titer in 300 women in pre marriage stage referred to provincial health office in Birjand. Total antibody against Toxoplasma gondii in serums of participants was measured, using ELISA method. Antibody titer above 20 IU/ml was considered positive. To investigate factors associated with infestation, a self-made questionnaire was used. Statistical analysis was performed using the spss software program, v. 11 and logistic regression test (α=0.05).   Results : The mean age of participants was 21.7 ±4 years with a minimum of 14 and maximum 30 years and most of them (68.7%) were living in urban areas. Majority of participants were students (51.2%) and housewives were in the next rank (25.8%). 37of the total participants (12.33%) were seropositive. We found a significant relationship between consumption of soft-boiled egg and antibody titer against Toxoplasma gondii (P=0.035). No significant relationship between antibody titer against Toxoplasma and age, residence, occupation, history of consumption of non-industrial produced eggs as well as uncooked vegetables was found.   Conclusion : As there is significant relationship between Toxoplasma infection and consumption of soft-boiled eggs, training the families in the prevention of toxoplasmosis infection is recommended.

Keywords: Toxoplasma, Birjand, Women in pre marriage

     

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