Evaluation of Pregnant and Postpartum Women's Knowledge about Toxoplasmosis in Rio Grande – RS, Brazil

Abstract

Toxoplasmosis a parasitic zoonosis of global distribution, responsible for disorders during gestation can cause fetal death or congenital anomalies. To evaluate the knowledge of toxoplasmosis among pregnant and postpartum women treated at the University Hospital of the city of Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. This was a cross-sectional study of 100 pregnant and postpartum women at the University Hospital. Participants answered a self-administered questionnaire and gave consent for data relating to serological examinations to be abstracted from their medical records. The proportion of women who received information about toxoplasmosis was higher among those who received care in the private health care system (52.9%) than among those cared for in the public health care system (25.0%). Only 55.7% of women reported having some knowledge about toxoplasmosis. Of these, 53.7% received information during the prenatal period. However, most participants were unable to answer questions about preventive measures and modes of infection. Of the 100 patients in the study, only 46 underwent serologic testing for toxoplasmosis, 65.2% of whom tested negative (IgG). Findings from this study are relevant to the training of health professionals regarding toxoplasmosis education and prevention. Improved education for health care providers and patients can lead to earlier diagnoses and reductions in adverse outcomes.

Awareness of congenital cytomegalovirus infection among young people studying non-medical subjects

“…Knowledge about some pathogens and their relationship to congenital infections is greater in particular groups of society such as pregnant women or those planning pregnancy [19]. In a survey conducted by Lehman et al [20], among 100 women who were pregnant or shortly after delivery, 55.7% of respondents had heard about toxoplasmosis, although most of them were unable to provide ways to prevent infection.…”

Conhecimento Sobre Toxoplasmose Entre Gestantes De Uma Unidade Básica De Saúde Da Amazônia Ocidental Brasileira

“…No que diz respeito à situação econômica, 68,6% das gestantes não exerciam a atividade remunerada e 42,9% tinham a renda familiar maior que um salário mínimo, conforme tabela 1. Este resultado é inferior ao encontrado por Lehmann et al (2016) que identificaram que 74,7% das gestantes tinham renda familiar acima de um salário mínimo.…”

“…De forma semelhante, Rodrigues et al (2015) e Lehmann et al (2016) também verificaram que a maioria das gestantes entrevistadas não sabia sobre a existência e/ou risco da doença, desconheciam suas formas de infecção e medidas preventivas. Segundo Moura et al (2018) a falta de conhecimento, a respeito da 125 toxoplasmose interfere de maneira direta nas medidas de prevenção primárias.…”

“…-Características sociodemográficas de gestantes atendidas em uma unidade de atenção primária a saúde deRio Branco, Acre, Brasil, 2018. Em estudo realizado porLehmann et al (2016) sobre a avaliação do conhecimento de gestantes e puérperas sobre a toxoplasmose na cidade do Rio Grande -RS foi identificado que 55,0% das mulheres estavam na faixa etária inferior a 25 anos.…”

Follow-up of Toxoplasmosis during Pregnancy: Ten-Year Experience in a University Hospital in Southern Brazil

“…Among the clinical findings, the following stand out: cerebral calcifications, chorioretinitis, blindness, delayed neuropsychomotor development, microcephaly, hydrocephalus, bulging fontanelle, meningoencephalitis, strabismus, hepatosplenomegaly, rash, petechiae, jaundice, and pneumonia. [4][5][6][7][8] During the prenatal period, serological screening can be performed, making it possible to identify susceptible patients and perform primary prevention. It also enables the detection of acute infection by T. gondii and guides treatment to reduce the probability of fetal transmission, which is close to 40% in untreated women.…”