BackgroundToxoplasmosis is a common and serious parasitic infection caused by the ubiquitous obligatory intracellular protozoan organism, Toxoplasma gondii. Although infection with T. gondii is usually asymptomatic in healthy individuals, it can lead to severe pathological effects in congenital cases and immunocompromised patients. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of T. gondii and its predictors among pregnant women seeking prenatal and medical care at the general maternal and child health facility in Dhamar district of Dhamar governorate, Yemen.MethodsA total of 420 pregnant women were randomly selected for this cross-sectional study. Participants were screened for anti-T. gondii antibodies (i.e. immunoglobulin M; IgM and immunoglobulin G; IgG) using electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. Demographic, socioeconomic, obstetric and behavioural data were collected using a pretested questionnaire via face-to-face interview. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify the independent predictors of T. gondii seroprevalence.ResultsThe overall seroprevalence of anti-T. gondii antibodies (IgG and/or IgM) among the participants was 21.2% (89/420; 95% CI = 17.3–25.1). Anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies were detected in 20.0% (84/420) of the women of which 12.9% (54/420) were positive for only IgG and 7.1% (30/420) were positive for both IgG and IgM antibodies. Moreover, 5 women (1.2%) were reactive only for IgM antibodies. Significant associations between T. gondii seroprevalence and history of spontaneous abortion (P <  0.001), raw vegetables consumption (P = 0.036), and presence of cats in household (P = 0.049) were reported. Multivariate analysis confirmed that history of spontaneous abortion (AOR = 4.04; 95% CI = [2.46, 6.63]) and presence of cats in household (AOR = 1.77; 95% CI = [1.02, 3.07]) are significant predictors of T. gondii seroprevalence among the studied participants.ConclusionThe study found a high seroprevalence (21.2%) of T. gondii infection during pregnancy in Dhamar district, which is significantly associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. The provision of adequate maternal healthcare and health education pertaining to the prevention of T. gondii infection is therefore imperative to curtail the prevalence of infection among the studied population.

Compared to vaginal deliveries, caesarean section (C-section) is a major surgery that could be associated with higher risks of maternal and infant mortality and morbidity. In Yemen, some recent reports indicated overuses of C-section. This was a cross-sectional study aimed to assess the risk ratio difference in C-section exposure between Yemeni mothers according to their demographic variables. A total of 400 participants of reproductive age visiting health centers for obstetric care in the central area of the western highlands of Yemen were randomly interviewed using a pretested questionnaire. The results found that the prevalence of C-section exposure among the study participants was 22%. Mothers' demographic variables showed significant differences in the risk ratio of C-section exposure. Among these variables, large differences in the risk ratio of C-section exposure were estimated between urban versus rural (RR = 3.9, ER = 2.9, P ˂ 0.001) and literate versus illiterate mothers (RR = 3.8, ER = 2.8, P ˂ 0.001). Relatively moderate differences were revealed by parity and maternal age variables (RR = 2.7; ER = 1.7; P ˂ 0.001, RR = 2.6; ER = 1.6; P ˂ 0.001, respectively). Age at marriage, employment status, and visiting health services practice, however, were associated with low differences in the C-section exposure. To strengthen the mother and infant health programs in Yemen, maternal variables including place of residence and educational status should be considered as predictors for either an unnecessary or additionally needed C-section.

Aims To describe the level of knowledge of undergraduate students in Jordan toward COVID‐19 in children in respect of the clinical signs of the disease, modes of transmission, protection measures against the disease and satisfaction with governmental measures. Design A cross‐section was utilized in this study. Methods An online survey questionnaire was utilized in this research study. All undergraduate students in Jordan were able to take part. The size of the sample was 799. Knowledge toward COVID‐19 among children was used to assess the participants' knowledge about COVID‐19. Results The findings indicate that the students had a good understanding of the clinical signs, mode of transmission and protection measures and were satisfied with governmental measures. According to the students' responses, the resource they used the most was social media followed by news channels. Our study also found that medical specialty students had more knowledge toward COVID‐19 than non‐medical.

This study aims to determine health-related quality of life (HRQoL) that includes the physical and mental health of recovered patients of COVID-19 and examines the significant impact of variables such as period of infection, sample demographics characteristics, hospitalization past, and chronic disease past and the other variables on HRQoL of COVID-19-recovered patients. Methods: An exploratory, community-based, cross-sectional research layout was adopted, using an electronic self-reporting survey disseminated online to recovered COVID-19 patients in Jordan. Targeted COVID-19 patients were individuals who were 18 years old or above. They had a documented background of COVID-19 illness, as stated in the following inclusion requirements: Those who had not been formally proven to have been afflicted by COVID-19 were excluded. Results:The mean of the physical well-being of study participants during COVID-19 was M=68.00 (SD=6.95), representing medium physical well-being status. The mean of psychological well-being of study participants during COVID-19 was M=60.20 (SD=8.85), representing medium physical health. Multiple regression showed that female recovered patients who are not working, with a low level of income, married women, and who getting COVID-19 more than once are having lower health-related quality of life compared to other recovered patients. Conclusion:The HRQoL of COVID-19 patients was significantly impacted, independent of the period since hospitalization or rehabilitation. Policymakers and health workers should research strong ways to enhance the HRQoL of COVID-19 patients as soon as possible. Elderly patients and those who have been infected more than one time and being hospitalized have a greater probability of decreased HRQoL after infection.

In the face of continuous efforts of the government and international organizations, population growth rate in Yemen still high. The present study was aimed to investigate the current prevalence and predictors of oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) use among Yemeni women in Dhamar area. A cross-sectional study was carried out among 400 women using a semi-structured questionnaire. The results showed that the prevalence rate of OCPs use is 33%. General characteristics showed that almost half of the study population had no formal education, ˃ 3 living children, and ˂ 20 years at marriage. The predictors found to be significantly associated with OCPs use were age, educational level, age at marriage, number of living children, attitude on safety of OCPs, and practice on contraceptives-seeking behavior. The present study reported a rise in OCPs use and seeking behavior, but that was not consistent with the obstetric characteristics of the study population. Community mobilization with efficient health education would improve the awareness of Yemenis about the advantages of contraception in family well-being.