Knowledge and practices regarding toxoplasmosis in housewives: A cross sectional study in a northern Mexican city

PLoS One. 2019 Sep 9;14(9):e0222094. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0222094. eCollection 2019.

Abstract

We aimed to determine the knowledge and practices regarding toxoplasmosis among housewives in the northern Mexican city of Durango. One hundred eighty-five women (mean age: 41.27 ± 12.40 years old) with an occupation of housewife were studied. A self-administered questionnaire was used. This tool included items about the parasite Toxoplasma gondii, its transmission routes, general clinical, diagnostic, and treatment aspects of toxoplasmosis, and practices to avoid infection. A minority (<10%) of women knew about the parasite, the disease, how the transmission occurs, the clinical manifestations, how an infection is diagnosed, the treatment, and how to avoid toxoplasmosis. Some women knew that cats can transmit T. gondii infection (20%), and that the parasite can be found in cat feces (20.5%). Only 7.6% of women knew that infection with T. gondii can be transmitted by consumption of contaminated food or water. Only 1.1% of women knew about the prevalence of T. gondii infection. Some (4.9%) women used to taste raw meat while cooking, and 7.6% used to undercook meat. In addition, 20% of women used to eat raw dried meat, and 13.5% consumed untreated water. Less than 90% of women always washed their hands before cooking, and washed fruits or vegetables. The majority (75.1%) of women never wore gloves when handling raw meat. About one quarter (27.6%) of women always froze meat. And 16.2% of women cleaned cat feces. This is the first study regarding knowledge and practices about toxoplasmosis in housewives. Poor knowledge regarding T. gondii infection, toxoplasmosis, and practices to avoid infection among the housewives studied was found. High risk practices for infection were identified. Strategies to improve toxoplasmosis-related knowledge and practices to avoid T. gondii infection and its sequelae in housewives are highly needed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Community Health Planning
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Health Education
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
  • Housing*
  • Humans
  • Mexico / epidemiology
  • Middle Aged
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Toxoplasmosis* / epidemiology
  • Toxoplasmosis* / prevention & control
  • Toxoplasmosis* / transmission
  • Young Adult

Grants and funding

The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. The Juarez University of Durango State was the only source of financial support in the study. None of the researchers received a salary other than the one they received as employees at their workplace for performing this study. There were not scholarships for students.