TOXOPLASMOSIS EPIDEMIOLOGIC ASPECTS AND SOROPREVALENCE IN PREGNANT WOMEN TREATED IN THE “PUBLIC HEALTH CARE SYSTEM” IN DIVINOPOLIS

Introduction: The present research aims to study the epidemiology of the disease and the assessment of the level of awareness of pregnant women treated at Public Health Care System (SUS) from 10/2007 to 09/2008 in the city of Divinopolis, Brazil. Methods: To this end 2136 prenatal exams of pregnant women were analyzed, 200 of which answered a quantitative questionnaire. Results Of the 2136 pregnant women evaluated, 49.48% were seropositive for IgG and 3.60% for IgM. Comparative analysis of congenital toxopalsmosis cases among the 11 regions of the city shows an irregular distribution of the disease (p<0.01). This difference was also observed among the number of pregnant women accessed per region, therefore it is not possible to which are the problem areas in the city. The questionnaire results show that 93% of the pregnant women have little or no knowledge about toxoplasmosis, and 24% presented positive serology with no clinical manifestation. Analysis between pregnant IgG positive women and the presence of pets showed a statistically significant correlation (P<0.05), suggesting that the transmission of the disease might occur in the domestic environment. Conclusions: We suggest the implementation of a triage program for pregnant women, and health education to stimulate the usage of SUS services.