Socio-Demographic Factors and Attitudes Influencing the Seroprevalence of Toxoplasmosis among Pregnant Women in Buea, Sw Cameroon

Abstract

The present study aims to determine the socio-demographic factors and attitudes influencing the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis among pregnant women in Buea, SW Cameroon. Toxoplasma gondii also called T. gondii is derived from the Greek words toxon, plasma and gondii which mean bow, creature and the African rodent “gundi” respectively. It is a protozoan parasite that can infect all warm-blooded animals, including humans. Due to the effect of congenital toxoplasmosis on the fetus and the child after birth, the fact that routine screening for Toxoplasma gondii infection during pregnancy is oftenly not available in our health settings, it is important to examine the situation of pregnant women in Buea. This study was conducted in the Buea, found in Fako Division, South West Region of Cameroon. The study was a cross sectional study carried from March 30th to June 30th 2018 among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic (ANC) in the Solidarity Clinic, Buea. Out of the 314 participants, 48 (15.29%) of pregnant women who had cats in homes and neighborhood were found to be positive for T. gondii. Among these ladies who had a habit of eating raw or undercooked meat, 34 (10.83%) of them were seropositive for T. gondii infection. Seroprevalence among women who had contact with soil was 26 (8.28%). The study concluded that Toxoplasma gondii infection appears to be a public health concern and the prevalence of T. gondii infection in pregnant women attending antenatal in the solidarity clinic molyko is 32.5%. Although a bit lower as compared with those reported in other regions in Cameroon, prompt intervention is needed to improve on the health of mother and baby.