Evaluation of the Knowledge of Saudi Women in Childbearing Period towards Toxoplasmosis Induced Teratogenicity – Evidence from A Cross-Sectional Study
Wael Mansy *
Department of Clinical Pharmacy, college of pharmacy King Saud University, Saudi Arabia.
Abdulrahman Alwhaibi
Department of Clinical Pharmacy, college of pharmacy King Saud University, Saudi Arabia.
Ali Mohammad Alqahtani
Pharm Department, Supervisor of IV Chemotherapy Section at Security Forces Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Nasser M. Al-Arifi
College of Medicine, Almaarefa University, Saudi Arabia.
Abdulaziz N Alotaibi
Department of Clinical Pharmacy, college of pharmacy King Saud University, Saudi Arabia.
Salmeen D Babelghaith
Department of Clinical Pharmacy, college of pharmacy King Saud University, Saudi Arabia.
Norah Aljabli
Department of Clinical Pharmacy, college of pharmacy King Saud University, Saudi Arabia.
Sara Alsubei
Department of Clinical Pharmacy, college of pharmacy King Saud University, Saudi Arabia.
Raghad Al Fayez
Department of Clinical Pharmacy, college of pharmacy King Saud University, Saudi Arabia.
Nouf Al Ameel
Department of Clinical Pharmacy, college of pharmacy King Saud University, Saudi Arabia.
Mohamed N Al-Arifi
Department of Clinical Pharmacy, college of pharmacy King Saud University, Saudi Arabia.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Toxoplasmosis is an environmental teratogen that may disrupt fetal development if transferred to the mother during pregnancy, resulting in maldevelopment and newborn mortality.
Objective: To assess knowledge of Saudi women in their childbearing period as regards risk factors of Toxoplasmosis infestation, testing, awareness of disease manifestation and prevention.
Methods: Anonymous online survey was used to examine the knowledge of Saudi women in their childbearing period about Toxoplasmosis induced teratogenicity. The non-probability sampling yields a calculated size of 600 women. The cross-sectional design of the research required categorizing the questions into two significant portions, one for sociodemographic data and the other for assessing Toxoplasmosis awareness. First, a descriptive statistic summarized the demographic characteristics. In categorical data, chi-square tests were employed to compare groups.
Results: A total of 613 women in their childbearing years completed the questionnaire. Most respondents interviewed were 36-40 (46.7%), and Para 1-5 (80%), and 86% were graduates. In addition, 42.2 % had the basic knowledge of Toxoplasmosis, 25.3 % were aware of the manifestations of the disease, and 76.3% correctly identified premature labor or miscarriage as sequelae of the infection. Aside from the frequency of abnormalities and parities and knowledge of toxoplasmosis, no other demographics in our research sample showed a significant association.
Conclusion: The basic knowledge of Toxoplasmosis among Saudi women of childbearing age is unsatisfactory (42.6 %). Age, family income, educational level and the number of abortions were significantly associated with knowledge of Toxoplasmosis among Saudi women in their childbearing age.
Keywords: Knowledge, childbearing period, toxoplasmosis, teratogen, Saudi