Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude, and Preventive Behavior Regarding Toxoplasmosis among Females in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Toxoplasmosis, a prevalent parasitic zoonotic disease, is influenced by various factors such as the climate, dietary habits, and hygiene practices. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and preventive behaviors regarding toxoplasmosis among females in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Utilizing a bilingual Google form, a cross-sectional online survey was distributed in both Arabic and English, and it was conducted between 11 January 2024 and 4 March 2024. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS Version 27, with a p-value ≤ 0.05 indicating significant qualitative data. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the chi-square test. A total of 533 participants were included in the study. Participants aged 18-25 years old constituted the largest group (70.4%), with those aged 26-40 years old accounting for 14.4% and ages 41-60 years old comprising 15.2%. Among the participants, 76.4% were unmarried, and 21.4% were pregnant. Notably, 79.2% of participants reported being unaware of toxoplasmosis, with only 9.0% gaining awareness from doctors and a mere 3.6% from awareness campaigns. Any understanding of the disease's severity and causative factors was limited to 15.9%. Despite a generally positive attitude towards preventive measures, significant correlations were found between toxoplasmosis and age (p-value 0.093), as well as the consumption of medium-cooked meat (p-value 0.008). Other variables, such as social status, cat ownership, handwashing before meals, and washing fruits and vegetables did not show significant correlations. Diet and hygiene practices notably impact toxoplasmosis transmission. In Riyadh, 79% of participants did not own cats, and 67.7% avoided undercooked meat. However, 6.7% used unfiltered water, and 8.4% did not wash their hands after handling raw meat and vegetables. The study concludes that there is insufficient knowledge regarding toxoplasmosis among females in Riyadh. Despite low knowledge, there is a neutral to slightly positive attitude and a willingness to learn and adopt preventive measures when informed. With better education, attitudes towards toxoplasmosis could improve due to a desire to learn and act. While general hygiene practices were favorable, specific preventive behaviors for toxoplasmosis need enhancement to reduce infection risks.

Knowledge of cytomegalovirus infection among women in Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study

Background

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the most common intrauterine congenital infection in humans. Worldwide seropositive rates of CMV are considerably high among women of childbearing age. There is currently no optimal drug treatment nor a vaccine for congenital CMV infection and therefore the best available program to date of prevention is practicing standard hygienic measures. The success of this program relies on women’s knowledge of CMV modes of transmissions, and risk and preventative behaviors.

Objective

The current study aims to assess the awareness and knowledge of CMV infection among women in Saudi Arabia.

Method

In this cross-sectional study, an online self-administered questionnaire was distributed to women 18 years of age or older residing in all regions of Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire included questions to assess awareness of CMV, knowledge of symptoms, transmission, and preventative measures of CMV infection.

Results

Out of the 1004 women who completed the questionnaire, self-reported knowledge of CMV was considerably low with only 82 women (8.17%) having heard of CMV infection. Most women reported learning about CMV from the internet and university. In binary logistic analyses, women pursuing studies in healthcare and those working in health professions, as well as those with undergraduate and graduate college degrees were significantly associated with higher knowledge of CMV. Urban area of residence was significantly associated with lower levels of knowledge of CMV. Among women who reported they had heard of CMV, their knowledge of CMV modes of transmission, symptoms, and preventative measures was considerably low. Regarding the transmission route, 23% reported no knowledge of modes of transmission, 59.75% reported mother-to-child transmission, 48.78% reported sexual intercourse, and 45% reported contact with body fluids of an infected person. Regarding knowledge of symptoms of congenital CMV, mental retardation and death were the most commonly reported clinical presentations.

Conclusion

The current study showed that the overall knowledge of CMV is very low among women in Saudi Arabia. Working in the healthcare field and higher education levels were significantly associated with better knowledge of CMV. It is crucial that women are provided with information regarding CMV-associated complications and preventative measures against mother-to-fetus transmission of CMV.

The Level of Knowledge about Toxoplasmosis among University Students in Rabat in Morocco

The aim of this descriptive cross-sectional study is to evaluate the knowledge of toxoplasmosis among medical, biology, and veterinary students in Rabat in Morocco. The data was collected by using a questionnaire which includes demographic characteristics, epidemiology, diagnosis, and clinical issues related to knowledge of toxoplasmosis. During analysis, the study groups were divided based upon their specialty of students who were medical, biology, and veterinary students. Out of 230 students, 55.2% were female and 44.8% were male. The average age of the study population is 21.7 ± 02 years. Less than half (42.6%) have heard of the disease; most of them have heard from faculty during studies in classrooms with 75.8%, and 3.2% were from the internet. Only 36.5% knew the correct causative agent of toxoplasmosis, and 32.1% were aware of the definitive host. The current study documented that there are gaps in the knowledge of the students regarding toxoplasmosis. Therefore, the present study puts the basis for future studies highlighting the importance of educating students to improve knowledge and attitudes towards toxoplasmosis.

Toxoplasmosis and knowledge: what do the Italian women know about?

Toxoplasmosis is a worldwide zoonotic infectious disease caused by Toxoplasma gondii. This infection is estimated to affect about a third of the world's population. The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge of Italian women about toxoplasmosis and its forms of transmission, clinical manifestations, diagnosis and prevention through two different modalities (e-research and traditional research). In a cross-sectional study, 808 Italian women were interviewed, using a self-administered questionnaire, through two different modalities: an e-research or web survey and a traditional paper research and 84% reported to have heard about toxoplasmosis, but from most of the sample, it resulted that the knowledge of the protozoan disease was superficial and incomplete.The assessment of the dimensionality related to the toxoplasmosis knowledge's instrument showed that the scale is composed by two stable and reliable factors which explain 58.6% of the variance: (a) the basic knowledge (α = 0.83), which explains the 45.2% of the variance and (b) the specialist knowledge (α = 0.71), which explains the 13.4% of the variance. The variance and the multiple linear regression data analysis showed significant predictors of correct basic knowledge of toxoplasmosis: the highest age, the highest degree of study, to have previously contracted illness or to know someone who had contracted it, to be working or to be housewives. In conclusion, this study showed limited awareness of toxoplasmosis and suggested the implementation of effective education and learning programs. The results also showed that online data collection, in academic research, might be a valid alternative to more traditional (paper-and-pencil) surveys.

Knowledge and attitudes about toxoplasmosis among female university students in Egypt

Aim This study aimed to assess toxoplasmosis-related knowledge, attitudes and preventive practices among female undergraduate students in Beni-Suef University, Egypt. Subjects and methods A cross-sectional design with a multi-stage random sample of female Beni-Suef university students were recruited in this survey over a period of 8 weeks' duration using a self-administrated questionnaire. Results Among 1079 female students, only 35 (3.2%) had good knowledge. Female students of the Health Care faculty and students from rural areas had a significantly higher rate of good knowledge. The results also illustrated that most of the studied sample (63%) had a negative attitude. Nearly one-third of participants were convinced that toxoplasmosis shows symptoms and only (25.6%) agreed about the occurrence of toxoplasmosis infection during pregnancy. A significant positive correlation was found between the total knowledge score and the total attitude score of female students, indicating that students with better knowledge had more positive attitudes. Of the participants, 67.1% always ate fast food, while 70.7%, 72% and 78.2% of female students reported hand washing after gardening, cleaning areas where cats were and cooking with meat, respectively. Conclusion Knowledge regarding toxoplasmosis was deficient among female students attending Beni-Suef University, and they had a negative attitude regarding toxoplasmosis. There was also a positive correlation between students' knowledge and their attitude toward toxoplasmosis infection. Many students avoided risk behaviors in the correct way, without realizing what they avoided. There is a critical need for efficient educational programs to raise the population's awareness regarding toxoplasmosis.