Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet 2016; 38(11): 538-544
DOI: 10.1055/s-0036-1593970
Original Article
Thieme Publicações Ltda Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Evaluation of Pregnant and Postpartum Women's Knowledge about Toxoplasmosis in Rio Grande – RS, Brazil

Avaliação do conhecimento de gestantes e puérperas sobre a toxoplasmose na cidade do Rio Grande – RS, Brasil
Lis Maurente Lehmann
1   Universidade Federal do Rio Grande, Rio Grande, RS, Brazil
,
Paula Costa Santos
1   Universidade Federal do Rio Grande, Rio Grande, RS, Brazil
,
Carlos James Scaini
1   Universidade Federal do Rio Grande, Rio Grande, RS, Brazil
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

12 May 2016

27 September 2016

Publication Date:
01 December 2016 (online)

Abstract

Introduction Toxoplasmosis a parasitic zoonosis of global distribution, responsible for disorders during gestation can cause fetal death or congenital anomalies.

Objective To evaluate the knowledge of toxoplasmosis among pregnant and postpartum women treated at the University Hospital of the city of Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

Methods This was a cross-sectional study of 100 pregnant and postpartum women at the University Hospital. Participants answered a self-administered questionnaire and gave consent for data relating to serological examinations to be abstracted from their medical records.

Results The proportion of women who received information about toxoplasmosis was higher among those who received care in the private health care system (52.9%) than among those cared for in the public health care system (25.0%). Only 55.7% of women reported having some knowledge about toxoplasmosis. Of these, 53.7% received information during the prenatal period. However, most participants were unable to answer questions about preventive measures and modes of infection. Of the 100 patients in the study, only 46 underwent serologic testing for toxoplasmosis, 65.2% of whom tested negative (IgG).

Conclusion Findings from this study are relevant to the training of health professionals regarding toxoplasmosis education and prevention. Improved education for health care providers and patients can lead to earlier diagnoses and reductions in adverse outcomes.

Resumo

Introdu¸ão A toxoplasmose é um parasita zoonose com distribui¸ão global, responsável por enfermidades durante a gesta¸ão que podem causar o óbito do feto ou anomalias congênitas.

Objetivo Avaliar o conhecimento sobre toxoplasmose das gestantes e puérperas atendidas no Hospital Universitário da cidade de Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil.

Método Estudo transversal sobre o conhecimento de 100 gestantes/puérperas no Hospital Universitário. A participação do sujeito da pesquisa consistiu em responder a um questionário autoaplicável e em autorizar o acesso ao seu prontuário e à sua carteira de pré-natal, nos quais foram pesquisados dados referentes aos exames sorológicos realizados.

Resultados O percentual de mulheres que receberam informações sobre toxoplasmose foi maior nas atendidas no sistema de saúde privado (52,9%). Somente 55,7% afirmaram ter algum conhecimento sobre a toxoplasmose. Destas, 53,7% receberam informação durante o pré-natal. Entretanto, a maioria das participantes não soube responder sobre as medidas preventivas e formas de infecção da toxoplasmose. Das 100 pacientes, apenas 46 realizaram o teste sorológico para toxoplasmose, e destas, 65,2% apresentaram resultado negativo.

Conclusões Com isso, torna-se relevante o incentivo à educação em saúde dentro das instituições em todos os momentos do pré-natal, e a capacitação dos profissionais frente às gestantes e puérperas acerca da toxoplasmose, abrangendo desde a educação em saúde até a realização do diagnóstico precoce.

 
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