Seroprevalence and potential risk factors of T. gondii infection in pregnant women attending antenatal care at Bonga Hospital, Southwestern Ethiopia

Abstract Objectives To determine the seroprevalence and associated risk factors of T.gondii infection in pregnant women attending antenatal care at Bonga Hospital, Southwestern Ethiopia. Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out from February to May 2016. Systematic sampling technique was used to collect sera from 210 pregnant women. Sample was tested for anti- T.gondii - antibodies by Latex Agglutination Test (LAT). Risk factors associated with T.gondii infection in pregnant women was assessed through structured questionnaire. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to check association of T.gondii infection with different risk factors using SPSS version 20. Results The overall seroprevalence of T.gondii infection in pregnant women was 75.7% (95% CI: 69.9–81.5). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that the odds of T.gondii infection was higher in pregnant women between age range of 36–44 (AOR=2.82; 95% CI:1.2–7.82; P=0.031), in multigravidae (AOR=3.3; 95% CI:1.36–8.04; P=0.009), in those eating raw meat (AOR=5.1; 95% CI:2.22–11.68; P=0.000), in those eating raw vegetables (AOR=5.5; 95% CI:1.03–29.5; P=0.046), in those who have history of abortion (AOR=4.4;95% CI:1.10–17.49; P=0.036), in women who drink river/streams water (AOR=5; 95% CI: 1.67–15.44; P=0.004) and in those who didn't handle raw meat (AOR=2.4; 95% CI: 1–5.56; P=0.049). Conclusion The present result shows high seroprevalence of T.gondii infection in pregnant women. Public education on identified risk factors and screening of pregnant women during their antenatal care should be recommended.