Knowledge, Attitude And Preventive Behavior Towards Toxoplasmosis Among Kuwaiti Women With/Without Pregnancy Experience: A Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Toxoplasmosis is caused by an obligate intracellular opportunistic protozoan parasite, Toxoplasma gondii, with a worldwide distribution. T. gondii infection among pregnant women during the first trimester may transmit infection to the fetus with serious congenital consequences. No data is available on knowledge, attitude and preventive behavior towards toxoplasmosis among pregnant women in Kuwait. This cross-sectional study evaluated knowledge, attitude, and preventive behavior towards toxoplasmosis among women in Kuwait, and reviewed the situation in the Middle east.Methods: Data related to socioeconomic status, knowledge and attitude towards toxoplasmosis were collected from 326 adult female school/university students, and 86 pregnant women through a self-administered online questionnaire during 2019-2021. Participants were divided into two main groups: women with pregnancy experience (PEG) and never-pregnant group (NPG).Results: PEG (n=212) included 114 currently pregnant and 98 women with history of an earlier pregnancy. NPG included 200 subjects. All participants belonged to a medium-to-high social status and minimum high school education. Nearly 50% of PEG women had inadequate knowledge towards toxoplasma infection, and only 33 (15.6%) knew its mode of transmission compared to 35 (17.5%) in the NPG (P=0.597). A significantly higher number of women in PEG (97 of 212, 45.8%) knew it can be prevented compared to 66 of 200 (33%) in NPG (P= 0.008). Only 35 (16.5%) of PEG women knew about screening tests for toxoplasma infection, and their main source of information on toxoplasmosis was healthcare professionals and family/friends compared with NPG women who got information through newspapers/books. PEG Women exhibited enhanced preventive behavior towards toxoplasmosis. Nearly 50% of all PEG participants lacked basic knowledge towards toxoplasmosis but >90% of them avoided most high-risk activities during their pregnancy. In addition, this is the first study in the Middle east conducted through an online survey to collect relevant information related to toxoplasmosis from pregnant women. Conclusions: This study highlights inadequate knowledge and preventive behavior towards toxoplasmosis among Kuwaiti women. Thus, health education on toxoplasmosis should be offered to all adult/pregnant women to reduce congenital toxoplasmosis.

Hubungan Tingkat Pengetahuan dengan Perilaku Pencegahan Toksoplasmosis pada Ibu Usia 15-49 Tahun

“…Toxoplasmosis infection transmission, women who had given birth were more likely to avoid contact with cat feces (p=0.004) and eat cooked meat (p=0.001). (19) The chi-square test results in this study showed no relationship between the level of knowledge and the behavior of preventing toxoplasmosis with p=0.867. These results are supported by research conducted by Amin et al that preventive behavior does not have a significant relationship with the level of knowledge about toxoplasmosis (p=0.694).…”

“…Therefore, the higher a person's knowledge, the higher the prevention efforts carried out. (19) Contrary to this research, where the level of knowledge is not related to toxoplasmosis prevention behavior. This can be due to the prevention behavior assessed in this study being a generally clean and healthy lifestyle to prevent various infectious diseases.…”

“…(17,20) In addition, several other factors can influence a person's behavior towards preventing disease, such as the presence of a trusted person, the availability of resources, as well as the culture and traditions that exist in the community. (19) However, lack of knowledge can also increase the risk of toxoplasmosis infection. So, health education about toxoplasmosis is still needed.…”

Effect of Educational Instructions on Pregnant Women's Knowledge and Attitudes regarding Toxoplasmosis

“…Furthermore, they stated that attitude is influenced by the environment (whether home or work), experience and education. Similarly, Iqbal et al (2021) and Al-Hellaly & Chyad (2019) claimed that socio-demographic characteristics have been shown to influence attitude of study group as better attitude were found among childbearing age with higher education and lived in urban areas. According to Khan et al (2023), majority of pregnant women in rural areas lives pastoral life, less educated, lower access to media, and lower access to health care facilities.…”

Mencegah Faktor Risiko Penularan Toxoplasma Gondii pada Wanita Usia Subur di Puskesmas I Sumbang

“…Penelitian di Kuwait didapatkan bahwa hampir 50% Wanita hamil tidak memiliki pengetahuan memadai mengenai infeksi toksoplasmosis (Iqbal et al, 2021). Di Indonesia sendiri, dari hasil penelitian di Denpasar didapatkan bahwa sebanyak 82,1% dari 39 wanita hamil memiliki pengetahuan kurang mengenai toksoplasmosis; dan pengetahuan rendah mengenai toksoplasmosis pada Wanita usia subur diteliti juga di kota Palu (Larasati et al, 2017;Sumolang et al, 2014).…”