Vol. 7, Issue 9 (2018)

Author(s):
Ahmed M Al-Kadassy, Omar H Baraheem and Salem A Bashanfer

Abstract:
Background: Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii), is an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite and prevalent worldwide that represents an actual public health problem. Prevalence and risk factors of toxoplasmosis in women of child-bearing age are unknown in Yemen. The current study was conducted with the objectives of estimating the seroprevalence and potential risk factors in acquiring T. gondii between women of childbearing in faculty of medical and health science Hodeidah University, Yemen. Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of T. gondii infection in women of childbearing age in Hodeidah city. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from September 2016 to June 2017. Sera of 90 women child-bearing age in Faculty of Medicine and Health sciences, Hodeidah University, Yemen were analyzed by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A questionnaire survey was administered for all participants in this study to gather information on risk factors. Result: Out of the 90 women of childbearing age 14.5% were seropositive for immunologlubolin G (IgG) and 14.4% for immunologlobin (IgM) anti-toxoplasma antibodies. The highest prevalence of toxoplasma IgG was found to be 16.2% among working fathers of study sample. The seropositive of T. gondii IgG antibodies was 42.9% among childbearing women showing Khat whereas IgM antibodies were 14.3%. Conclusion: We found from our study seroprevalence of T. gondii IgG 14.5% and 14.4% of IgM. These finding were lower than to other results reported from developing countries.