International Journal of Biomedical Science and Engineering

| Peer-Reviewed |

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Community Towards Zoonotic Importance of Toxoplasma Infection in Central Afar Region, North East Ethiopia

Received: 03 September 2015    Accepted: 28 September 2015    Published: 03 December 2015
Views:       Downloads:

Share This Article

Abstract

Toxoplasmosis is one of the major global zoonotic diseases which have a great impact on human health with more serious outcomes in immunocompromised and pregnant women. A cross-sectional study was carried out to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of the community towards zoonotic importance of the disease in central Afar region of Northeast Ethiopia using structured questionnaire, key informants interview and focal group discussion. According to the logistic regression analysis of pregnant women’s awareness on zoonotic Toxoplasma infection, literacy was found statistically significant (P<0.05) in association with awareness of the pregnant women about the disease. According to the respondents’ answers on the general knowledge of toxoplasmosis, majority of these pregnant women have no knowledge or not sure about this parasitic infection. Most of the respondent pregnant women were not sure about the risk factors, symptoms, and timing of infection of toxoplasmosis. However, they routinely practice primary preventive behaviors, particularly good hygienic condition that can prevent them from Toxoplasma infection but this is due to their native knowledge and thinking that ensuring general and personal hygiene can prevent all types of infection. During the study, 24 animal health assistants were participated and almost all had knowledge on zoonotic Toxoplasma infection, transmission, treatment, control and prevention. However, all of them had never diagnosed the disease in animals. Moreover, out of the 68 medical professionals included in the study, only 23 (33.8%) had knowledge on zoonotic Toxoplasma infection which is lower than expected when compared with importance of the disease in human health particularly pregnant women and children. This study showed that there is knowledge gap about the disease and its zoonotic importance. Therefore, refreshing training to medical professionals including health extension workers, imparting health education in one health approach to the community at large and pregnant women in particular and strengthening the diagnostic facility and advising pregnant women to regularly check for toxoplasma infection is mandatory.

DOI 10.11648/j.ijbse.20150306.12
Published in International Journal of Biomedical Science and Engineering (Volume 3, Issue 6, December 2015)
Page(s) 74-81
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Afar, Cat, Ethiopia, Pregnant Women, Public Health, Toxoplasmosis

References
[1] Dubey, J. P. and Su, C. (2009): Population biology of Toxoplasma gondii: what’s out and where did they come from. Mem. Inst. Oswaldo. Cruz., 104:190-195.
[2] Dubey, J. P., Salant, H., Sreekumar, C., Dahal, E., Vinna, M. C., Shen, S. K., Kwok, O. C., Spira, D., Hamburger, J. and Lehman, T. (2004): High prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in a commercial flock of chickens in Israel, and public health implication of free range farming. Vet. parastol., 121: 317-322.
[3] Carruthers, V. B. (2002): Host cell invasion by the opportunistic pathogen Toxoplasma gondii. Acta. Trop., 81: 111-122.
[4] Beverley, L. K. A, (1974): Some aspects of Toxoplasmosis. A World wide Zoonosis. In: Parasitic Zoonoses. Soulsby Academic Press. New York, Pp 16.
[5] Dubey, J. P. (1994): Toxoplasmosis: Zoonosis Update. JAVMA, 205:1594-1595.
[6] Pereira, K. S., Franco, R. M. and Leal, D. A. (2010): Transmission of toxoplasmosis (Toxoplasma gondii) by foods. Adv. Food Nutr. Res., 60:1–19.
[7] Xiao, Y., Yin, J., Jiang, N., Xiang, M., Hao, L., Lu, H., Sang, H., Liu, X., Xu, H., Ankarklev, J., Lindh, J. and Chen, Q. (2010): Seroepidemiology of human Toxoplasmagondii infection in China. BMC, Infect. Dis., 10:4.
[8] Naoi, K. and Yano, A. (2002): A theoretical analysis of the relation between the risk of congenital toxoplasmosis and the annual infection rates with a convincing argument for better public intervention. Int. Parsitol., 51: 187-194.
[9] Acha, P. N. and Szyfres, B. (2003): Toxoplasmosis. In: Zoonoses and Communicable Diseases Common to Man and Animals. Pan American Health Organization. Washington, D. C. 3rd ed. Pp 76-86.
[10] Chen, X. G. and Tan, F. (2009): Toxoplasma gondii: Past, present and future. Records, 27: 426-431.
[11] Sensini, A. (2006): Toxoplasma gondii infection in pregnancy: Opportunities and pitfalls of serological diagnosis. Clin. Microbiol. Infect., 12: 504-512.
[12] Kassali, O. B. and Tekelye, B. (1989): Toxoplasmosis in sheep, goats and cattle in central Ethiopia. Vet. Rese. Commun., 13: 371-375.
[13] Tilaye, D. and Getachew, T. (2002): Study on Toxoplasmosis in sheep and goats in Debre Birhan and surrounding areas in Ethiopia. Bull. Anim. Hlth. Prod. Afr., 50: 138-147.
[14] Teshale, S., Dumetre, A., Darde, M. L., Merga, B. and Dochies, P. (2007): Serological survey of toxoplasmosis in Ethiopia: Prevalence and risk factors. Parasite, 14:155-159.
[15] Negash, T., Tilahun, G. and Medhin, G. (2008): Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in Nazareth town, Ethiopia. East Afr J Public Health, 5:211–214.
[16] Gebremedhin E. Z., Anteneh H. A., Tesfaye S. T., Kassu D. T., Girmay M., Maria V., Vincenzo D. M., Eric C. and Pierre D. (2013):Sero epidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii infection in women of child-bearing age in central Ethiopia. BMC Infectious Diseases, 13:101.
[17] Hailu, A., Kassahun, N., Aweke, T., Medhint, G., Tesfaye, S., Tariku J. and Daniel F. (2014):Sero–Prevalence and associated risk factors of Toxoplasma gondii infection in pregnant women and HIV/AIDS patients in selected cities ofEthiopia.Banat Journal of Biotechnology, 10:17-29.
[18] CSA (Central Statistical Agency) (2007): Human and animal population census in Afar region. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
[19] Andiappan, H., Veeranoot N., Nongyao S., Si-Lay K., Cristina C. S, Mary M. M.C., Julieta Z. D., Waenurama C., Ching X. T., Yee-Ling L. and Noor A. M. A. (2014): Knowledge and practice on Toxoplasma infection in pregnant women from Malaysia, Philippines, and Thailand. Frontiers in microbiology, 5:291.
[20] Elsheikha, H. M. (2008): Congenital toxoplasmosis: priorities for further health promotion action. Public Health, 122:335–353.
[21] Costa, F. F., Gondim, A. P., Lima, M. B., Braga, J. U., Vieira, L. J. and Araújo, M. A. (2012): Preventive behavior for toxoplasmosis in pregnant adolescents in the state of Ceara, Brazil. BMC Public Health, 12:73.
[22] Amin, T. T., Ali, M. N., Alrashid, A. A., Al-Agnam, A. A. and Al Sultan, A. A. (2013): Toxoplasmosis preventive behavior and related knowledge among Saudi pregnant women. Glob. J. Health Sci., 5:131–143.
[23] Jones, J. L., Dargelas, V., Roberts, J., Press, C., Remington, J. S. and Montoya, J. G. (2009): Risk factors for Toxoplasma gondii infection in the United States. Clin Infect Dis., 49: 878-884.
[24] Boughattas, S. (2015): Milkborne toxoplasmosis. Front. Microbiol., 6:215.
[25] Dehkordi, F. S., Borujeni, M. R., Rahimi, E. and Abdizadeh, R. (2013): Detection of Toxoplasma gondii in raw caprine, ovine, buffalo, bovine, and camel milk using cell cultivation, cat bioassay, capture ELISA, and PCR methods in Iran. Food borne Pathog Dis., 10: 120-125.
[26] Dubey, J. P. (2010): Toxoplasmosis of Animals and Humans.2nd ed. Beltsville, Maryland, U.S.A. CRC Press, Pp 1-338.
Author Information
  • College of Veterinary Medicine, Samara University, Samara, Ethiopia

Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Angesom Hadush Desta. (2015). Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Community Towards Zoonotic Importance of Toxoplasma Infection in Central Afar Region, North East Ethiopia. International Journal of Biomedical Science and Engineering, 3(6), 74-81. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijbse.20150306.12

    Copy | Download

    ACS Style

    Angesom Hadush Desta. Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Community Towards Zoonotic Importance of Toxoplasma Infection in Central Afar Region, North East Ethiopia. Int. J. Biomed. Sci. Eng. 2015, 3(6), 74-81. doi: 10.11648/j.ijbse.20150306.12

    Copy | Download

    AMA Style

    Angesom Hadush Desta. Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Community Towards Zoonotic Importance of Toxoplasma Infection in Central Afar Region, North East Ethiopia. Int J Biomed Sci Eng. 2015;3(6):74-81. doi: 10.11648/j.ijbse.20150306.12

    Copy | Download

  • @article{10.11648/j.ijbse.20150306.12,
      author = {Angesom Hadush Desta},
      title = {Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Community Towards Zoonotic Importance of Toxoplasma Infection in Central Afar Region, North East Ethiopia},
      journal = {International Journal of Biomedical Science and Engineering},
      volume = {3},
      number = {6},
      pages = {74-81},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ijbse.20150306.12},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijbse.20150306.12},
      eprint = {https://download.sciencepg.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijbse.20150306.12},
      abstract = {Toxoplasmosis is one of the major global zoonotic diseases which have a great impact on human health with more serious outcomes in immunocompromised and pregnant women. A cross-sectional study was carried out to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of the community towards zoonotic importance of the disease in central Afar region of Northeast Ethiopia using structured questionnaire, key informants interview and focal group discussion. According to the logistic regression analysis of pregnant women’s awareness on zoonotic Toxoplasma infection, literacy was found statistically significant (PToxoplasma infection but this is due to their native knowledge and thinking that ensuring general and personal hygiene can prevent all types of infection. During the study, 24 animal health assistants were participated and almost all had knowledge on zoonotic Toxoplasma infection, transmission, treatment, control and prevention. However, all of them had never diagnosed the disease in animals. Moreover, out of the 68 medical professionals included in the study, only 23 (33.8%) had knowledge on zoonotic Toxoplasma infection which is lower than expected when compared with importance of the disease in human health particularly pregnant women and children. This study showed that there is knowledge gap about the disease and its zoonotic importance. Therefore, refreshing training to medical professionals including health extension workers, imparting health education in one health approach to the community at large and pregnant women in particular and strengthening the diagnostic facility and advising pregnant women to regularly check for toxoplasma infection is mandatory.},
     year = {2015}
    }
    

    Copy | Download

  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Community Towards Zoonotic Importance of Toxoplasma Infection in Central Afar Region, North East Ethiopia
    AU  - Angesom Hadush Desta
    Y1  - 2015/12/03
    PY  - 2015
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijbse.20150306.12
    DO  - 10.11648/j.ijbse.20150306.12
    T2  - International Journal of Biomedical Science and Engineering
    JF  - International Journal of Biomedical Science and Engineering
    JO  - International Journal of Biomedical Science and Engineering
    SP  - 74
    EP  - 81
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2376-7235
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijbse.20150306.12
    AB  - Toxoplasmosis is one of the major global zoonotic diseases which have a great impact on human health with more serious outcomes in immunocompromised and pregnant women. A cross-sectional study was carried out to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of the community towards zoonotic importance of the disease in central Afar region of Northeast Ethiopia using structured questionnaire, key informants interview and focal group discussion. According to the logistic regression analysis of pregnant women’s awareness on zoonotic Toxoplasma infection, literacy was found statistically significant (PToxoplasma infection but this is due to their native knowledge and thinking that ensuring general and personal hygiene can prevent all types of infection. During the study, 24 animal health assistants were participated and almost all had knowledge on zoonotic Toxoplasma infection, transmission, treatment, control and prevention. However, all of them had never diagnosed the disease in animals. Moreover, out of the 68 medical professionals included in the study, only 23 (33.8%) had knowledge on zoonotic Toxoplasma infection which is lower than expected when compared with importance of the disease in human health particularly pregnant women and children. This study showed that there is knowledge gap about the disease and its zoonotic importance. Therefore, refreshing training to medical professionals including health extension workers, imparting health education in one health approach to the community at large and pregnant women in particular and strengthening the diagnostic facility and advising pregnant women to regularly check for toxoplasma infection is mandatory.
    VL  - 3
    IS  - 6
    ER  - 

    Copy | Download

  • Sections