Seroprevalence and Risk Factors of Toxoplasmosis among Mothers with Spontaneous Abortion Admitted to the Maternity Teaching Hospital in Sulaimani City, Iraq

Background:Toxoplasmosis, caused by Toxoplasma gondii, is a zoonotic infection that can be mild in immunocompetent individuals but may be life-threatening in immunocompromised individuals, particularly during pregnancy. This study aims to determine the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis and identify associated risk factors among women who have experienced spontaneous abortion.Methods:This hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 260 women who had spontaneous abortions between October 2022 and December 2023 at the Maternity Teaching Hospital in Sulaimani, Iraq. Participants were interviewed using structured questionnaires and tested for anti-Toxoplasma IgM and IgG antibodies. Data were analyzed using SPSS, and statistical significance was set at a p-value of 0.05.Results:The seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasma IgM and IgG antibodies among participants was 33.85% and 47.69%, respectively. Statistically significant associations were found between IgM seropositivity and age, occupation, gestational age, and various risk factors such as owning cats, contact with cats, and dietary habits. IgG seropositivity was significantly associated with maternal age and cat ownership.Conclusions:The study highlights a high prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection among women with spontaneous abortion, with most having multiple risk factors. Recommendations include implementing routine screening for toxoplasmosis during antenatal care, alongside health education programs to raise awareness about the risks and prevention strategies.