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The seroprevalence and risk factors of toxoplasmosis among female undergraduate university students in Saudi Arabia
Joint Authors
al-Zahib, Riyad A.
al-Amir, Usamah
Source
Issue
Vol. 32, Issue 6 (30 Nov. 2017), pp.486-491, 6 p.
Publisher
Publication Date
2017-11-30
Country of Publication
Oman
No. of Pages
6
Main Subjects
Abstract EN
Objectives: Toxoplasma gondii (T.
gondii) is a serious public health issue, but limited data has been published to date on the seroprevalence of T.
gondii infection in Saudi Arabia.
Therefore, this study aimed to establish the seroprevalence and risk factors of T.
gondii infection using a sample of females enrolled at a university in Northern Saudi Arabia.
Methods: Using a cross-sectional research approach, we recruited a convenience sample of 180 healthy females studying at the University of Tabuk between February and June 2016.
We used a questionnaire to gather sociodemographic data on the participants to establish the risk factors leading to exposure to toxoplasma.
Blood samples were taken from the participants and analyzed to detect T.
gondii antibodies (immunoglobulin M and immunoglobulin G) via the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique.
Multivariate logistic regression modeling was employed to establish the potential predictor variables for T.
gondii infection.
Results: Of the 180 participants, 17 (9.4%) were seropositive for T.
gondii IgG.
None tested positive for IgM antibodies exclusively.
The sole variable positively associated with seropositive T.
gondii IgG was the participants’ consumption of raw, unwashed fruit or vegetables (odds ratio = 3.36, 95% confidence interval: 1.11–10.22).
Conclusions: Our findings emphasize the need for higher awareness of toxoplasmosis in Saudi Arabia, specifically knowledge of the way toxoplasma infection occurs so that women can more easily avoid it.
Large-scale research is therefore required to inform the design of future public health interventions
American Psychological Association (APA)
al-Zahib, Riyad A.& al-Amir, Usamah. 2017. The seroprevalence and risk factors of toxoplasmosis among female undergraduate university students in Saudi Arabia. Oman Medical Journal،Vol. 32, no. 6, pp.486-491.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-800139
Modern Language Association (MLA)
al-Zahib, Riyad A.& al-Amir, Usamah. The seroprevalence and risk factors of toxoplasmosis among female undergraduate university students in Saudi Arabia. Oman Medical Journal Vol. 32, no. 6 (Nov. 2017), pp.486-491.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-800139
American Medical Association (AMA)
al-Zahib, Riyad A.& al-Amir, Usamah. The seroprevalence and risk factors of toxoplasmosis among female undergraduate university students in Saudi Arabia. Oman Medical Journal. 2017. Vol. 32, no. 6, pp.486-491.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-800139
Data Type
Journal Articles
Language
English
Notes
Includes bibliographical references : p. 490-491
Record ID
BIM-800139