Caracterização epidemiológica da toxoplasmose gestacional no Maranhão / Sara Saraiva dos Santos

Abstract

Toxoplasmosis, a disease caused by the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii, is transmitted between animals and humans, presenting high infection rates in Brazil and worldwide. This infection can be passed from mother to fetus, characterizing gestational toxoplasmosis, which can cause serious complications for the developing fetus. The aim of the study is to characterize gestational toxoplasmosis in the state of Maranhão. This is an ecological and retrospective study. Data were obtained from notifications in the database of the Department of Informatics of the Unified Health System (DATASUS), using notifications corresponding to the Information System for Notifiable Diseases (SINAM) related to gestational toxoplasmosis. Thus, data from the last five years were used. A total of 1,387 cases of gestational toxoplasmosis were found in the state of Maranhão, with 61.93% confirmed, predominantly in the year 2022. The profile of cases consisted mostly of women of childbearing age, of mixed race, with completed secondary education, and predominantly in the second trimester of pregnancy. Among the characteristics observed, the presence of the majority of women of childbearing age, predominantly of mixed race and with completed secondary education, emerges as the most affected group. This highlights the need for educational programs to reach all social strata, especially during pregnancy