الفهرس 
Aim of the study
MethodsOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is an infectious parasitic disease caused by toxoplasma gondii organism. It was classified by the centers for disease control and prevention as one of five neglected parasitic infections in the United States (CDC, 2018). It affects approximately 30% to 50% of the human population (Flegr, et al., 2014). Also, it has been considered as a worldwide foodborne disease which has a dangerous public health effect (Dubey, et al., 2012).
Imminosuppressed women who acquired their t. gondii infection short time before pregnancy are most likely to deliver an infected newborn (Tekkesin, 2012). The factors that are associated with the occurance of congenital toxoplasmosis in newborns are the incidence of primary infection in pregnant women, the gestational week when the pregnant woman had the infection and public health programs carried out for prevention, detection, and treatment of the infection during pregnancy (Saadatnia& Golkar, 2012).
The danger of toxoplasma infection increases with lower educational level, aging, low socioeconomic condition, people contact with cats, and people had poor hygienic practices (Torgerson & Mastroiacovo, 2013). Congenital toxoplasmosis can cause dangerous complications for the fetus, mainly intracranial calcifications, eye infection (retinitis), hydrocephalus or seizures (Paquet and Yudin, 2013); or even intra-uterine fetal death (Wallon, et al., 2014; Khan & Khan, 2018).
Community health nurses are responsible for educating the pregnant women about the importance of prenatal care for health promotion, prevention, and treatment of toxoplasmosis as early as possible during pregnancy to avoid further complications to the mother or the fetus (Martins, al., 2012). The nurse also shouldincrease pregnant woman’s awareness about toxoplasmosis and its modes of transmission to reduce its prevalence through the simple preventive measures that can protect human exposure to toxoplasma gondi (Al-Sheyab, Obaidat, Salman, et al., 2015).
Aim of the study was to:
Evaluate the effect of educational intervention on correction of misconceptions about toxoplasmosis among pregnant women at a rural area.
Methods:
Design:
A quasi-experimental (pre & post) test design was used to attain the aim of the study.
Study setting:
A multistage random selection of 2 districts in Menoufia Governorate was done. The selected districts were Menouf and El -Shohada districts. The researcher randomly selected and conducted this study at maternal and child health center in Teta village from Menouf district and El Iraqia rural health unit from El -Shohada district, Menoufia governorate, Egypt.
Study Sample:
A simple random sample of 120 pregnant women attending the previously mentioned settings for receiving antenatal care.Inclusion criteria:
All pregnant women in the reproductive age, living at rural areas, during their gestational period and attending MCH center and rural health unit for ante natal care.
Data collection Instrument:
The data of the study were collected using a structured interview questionnaire. This questionnaire was developed by the researcher based on pertinent literature. The questionnaire was translated from English to Arabic language. The Arabic version was modified by the researcher and reviewed by the supervisors to fit the target population. This version also was reviewed by Arabic/ English speaker specialist to ensure the accurate translation. The questionnaire consisted of three parts; the first part was concerned with socio demographic characteristics of pregnant women. The second part was consisted of past and current obstetric history. The third part was consisted of knowledge of pregnant woman about toxoplasmosis. It included their knowledge about toxoplasmosis meaning, mode of transmission, people at risk to toxoplasmosis, manifestations, complications and prevention of toxoplasmosis.The main findings of the current study were:
More than two thirds of studied pregnant women aged between 17 and 25 years old
Approximately, three-fourths of pregnant women had basic education, technical diploma or secondary education and the majority of them were housewives
The majority of pregnant women had poor knowledge before the intervention about toxoplasmosis meaning, modes of transmission, vulnerable population, manifestations, complications and preventive measures.
There was high statistically significant improvement regarding the effect of educational intervention on correction of misconceptions about toxoplasmosis among pregnant women as shown in grand total score of knowledge. The grand total score was increased from 83.2 ±23.4 pre-intervention to 132.3 ±9.9 post-intervention.
There was positive relation between knowledge level about toxoplasmosis pre-intervention and pregnant women’s age, education and occupation.
Conclusion:
In the light of the present study, the educational intervention had improved pregnant women’s misconception level about toxoplasmosis, and it was concluded that: -
There was high statistically significant improvement in the mean scores of pregnant women’s total knowledge about toxoplasma infection after the intervention compared with pre intervention scores.There was highly statistical improvement of pregnant women’s knowledge related to toxoplasmosis preventive measures in the post- intervention than pre- intervention.
There was positive association between women’s level of knowledge before the intervention and their age, education and occupation.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Focused on the results of the current study, it was recommended that: -
Health education about toxoplasmosis and its preventive measures should be implemented for all women during their reproductive age at primary health care settings especially rural areas.
Laboratory investigations for toxoplasmosis should be done to all pregnant women as a routine investigation early during the antenatal care.
Increasing the awareness of pregnant women concerning toxoplasma infection and its consequences on pregnancy outcomes through mass media.
Further studies are needed to determine the effect of educational intervention on prevention of complications of toxoplasmosis in seropositive pregnant women.