Seroprevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Toxoplasmosis among Females of Qassim University, Qassim, KSA

Toxoplasmosis has worldwide distribution; however, its prevalence varies within countries and communities in the same region. No studies were conducted on the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in Qassim region in Saudi Arabia. Our study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis among females in Qassim University, Al-melida campus, Qassim and identify the risk factors associated with Toxoplasmosis. A cross-sectional study, recruiting a random sample of 304 healthy females at Al-melida campus, Qassim was conducted on September 2018. A questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographic data of the participants and establish the risk factors leading to Toxoplasma infection. Blood samples were collected from the participants to detect T. gondii antibodies namely immunoglobulin G (IgG) using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique. A descriptive analysis of data was done to correlate between seroprevalence and risk factors. Out of 304 females 247 (81.2%) were negative to T. gondii IgG, while 57 (18.8%) were positive. Analysis of risk factors showed statistically insignificant association with Toxoplasma seroprevalence. The seroprevalence of T. gondii among females in our study is 18.8%. No association between risk factors and seropositivity. For future studies, research on a large sample size is required for more accurate seroprevalence.