KNOWLEDGE ABOUT TOXOPLASMOSIS IN STUDENTS WHO ATTEND THE UNIVERSITY OF MENDOZA, ARGENTINA

Abstract

Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic disease caused by the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii. Primary infection during pregnancy puts the fetus at risk, which can acquire congenital toxoplasmosis (CT). Early knowledge of the basic aspects of the disease will decrease the possibility of TC. The purpose of this work is to evaluate knowledge about toxoplasmosis in a population of women of childbearing age in a university setting. A brief structured survey of closed questions was used in online format, with digital dissemination, aimed at all students of any year and major at the University of Mendoza. From the data analysis of 409 responses obtained, it was found that 40.8% do not know what toxoplasmosis is. 57.4% responded that they had not received information about the parasite. 44.5% say they do not know how it is contracted and 55.7% do not know the risks of contracting it during pregnancy. Only 6% of those surveyed have been pregnant, of which 41.6% did not know about the disease at that time. 68.2% responded that they did not know measures to prevent it. We conclude that a significant percentage of students do not have sufficient knowledge, generating the need to increase training strategies aimed at the population of women of childbearing age. This population will develop attitudes and prevention measures to reduce the risk of infection during pregnancy and its consequences by installing knowledge in those who have not received information.