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.

Anemia continues to be a major health problem affecting the mother and her neonate in the developing countries.The present study was aimed to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of anemia among Yemeni pregnant women residing in Dhamar district 2400 meters above the sea level. This was a cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of anemia among Yemeni pregnant women residing in Dhamar district, 2400 meters above the sea level. A total of 420 pregnant women visiting the general Maternal and Child Center for antenatal care were randomly selected. A hemoglobin cutoff value of 12.3 g/dl was used for evaluating the prevalence of anemia, according to the recommendations of World Health Organization pertaining on altitude adjusted hemoglobin concentrations. The results found that the overall prevalence of anemia among the study population was 26.56%. Moderate-to-severe anemia accounted for almost one-quarter of the disease burden. Trimester of pregnancy and number of cesarean surgeries were retained by multivariate regression model as significant risk factors. Over first trimester, the prevalence risk for predicting anemia was more significantly associated with third trimester (APR = 3.00; 95% CI = 1.82, 4.94; P = 0.000) rather than second trimester of pregnancy (APR = 1.73; 95% CI = 1.01, 2.96; P = 0.047). The pregnant women undergone two or more cesarean surgeries were significantly at higher risk for anemia (APR = 1.63; 95% CI = 1.12, 2.38; P = 0.012). The present study revealed that anemia is still a public health problem among the pregnant women in Yemen. There is a need for intervening and controlling this jeopardy using effective programs and strategies.