STATUS OF IMMUNITY AGAINST TOXPLASMA GONDII IN PREMARRIAGE WOMEN (ISFAHAN-2000)
Abstract
Introduction. Seronegative pregnant women are at risk of toxoplasmosis and its fetal abnormalities (congenital toxoplasmosis). Planning for control of disease needs to determine current status of immunity in premariage women.
Methods. This cross-sectional study was done on 273 premarriage women in Amin medical center (Iran, Isfahan - summer 2000). Serum antitoxoplasma antibodies were measured by immunofluorescence method. Results were analyzed with SPSS software using Chi Square, Mantel-Haenszel and Logistic Regression statistical methods.
Results. Mean age of study participant was 20.3±4.13 (Mean ± SD) years. Eighty percent of them were high school graduated and lower. Fiftysix percent of them lived in outskirts and marginal sites of the city. Prevelance of seronegative women was 56.1%. No significant relationship between seropositivity and education, job or age was found (P > 0.05). Women living in marginal sites of the city had 1.8 times more chance for seropositivity (P=0.01, OR= 1.87, CI95%(OR) = 1. 16 - 3.05).
Discussion. According to early marriage and high prevalence of seronegative women, risk of infection during pregnancy period is considerable so it would be dersired to plan and perform educational programs for prevention of infection during pregnancy.
Methods. This cross-sectional study was done on 273 premarriage women in Amin medical center (Iran, Isfahan - summer 2000). Serum antitoxoplasma antibodies were measured by immunofluorescence method. Results were analyzed with SPSS software using Chi Square, Mantel-Haenszel and Logistic Regression statistical methods.
Results. Mean age of study participant was 20.3±4.13 (Mean ± SD) years. Eighty percent of them were high school graduated and lower. Fiftysix percent of them lived in outskirts and marginal sites of the city. Prevelance of seronegative women was 56.1%. No significant relationship between seropositivity and education, job or age was found (P > 0.05). Women living in marginal sites of the city had 1.8 times more chance for seropositivity (P=0.01, OR= 1.87, CI95%(OR) = 1. 16 - 3.05).
Discussion. According to early marriage and high prevalence of seronegative women, risk of infection during pregnancy period is considerable so it would be dersired to plan and perform educational programs for prevention of infection during pregnancy.
Keywords
Toxoplasmosis, Pregnancy, Congenital Toxoplasmosis