Prevalence and factors associated with gestational toxoplasmosis in Unified Health System of Santa Catarina

Abstract

This cross-sectional study analyzed the prevalence and associated factors of gestational toxoplasmosis among women treated by the Unified Health System of Santa Catarina, Brazil. Questionnaires were administered in 2019 to postpartum women from 30 cities. The outcome variable was self-reported toxoplasmosis during pregnancy. Associated factors included age, skin color, education, marital status, per capita income, paid employment, and primiparity. Crude and adjusted logistic regression analyses were performed using Stata software. Among the 3,534 women interviewed, 3.9% (95% CI: 3.3–4.6%) reported a diagnosis of toxoplasmosis during pregnancy. The only variable associated with the outcome was maternal education, with those holding a high school diploma having a 59% lower odds (95% CI OR=0.36–0.98) of infection compared with those who had not completed elementary education. The higher likelihood of toxoplasmosis among less educated women underscores the importance of improving access to preventive information.