| Summary: | Biyansa Adugna, 1 Zewdu Seyoum Tarekegn, 2 Debasu Damtie, 3, 4 Seleshe Nigatu Woldegebreal, 5 RP Raju, 3 Moges Maru, 2 Abrham Ayele 2 1College of Veterinary Medicine, Semera University, Semera, Ethiopia; 2Department of Veterinary Paraclinical Studies, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia; 3Department of Immunology and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia; 4The Ohio State University Global One Health LLC, Eastern Africa Regional Office, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; 5Department of Veterinary Epidemiology and Public Health, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Zewdu Seyoum Tarekegn Email zewdu.seyoum@uog.edu.etIntroduction: Toxoplasmosis is a life-threatening disease in pregnant women, having social and economic impacts due to congenital toxoplasmosis. However, in Ethiopia, it is neglected zoonotic disease, which requires screening and identifying risk factors in pregnant women to plan a public health intervention.Methods: This institutional-based cross-sectional study was employed from March to April 2019 to estimate the seropositivity and assess potential risk factors for T. gondii among pregnant women attending antenatal care in four public hospitals in Northwest Ethiopia. Four hundred and one pregnant women were recruited to collect serum samples. Toxoplasma gondii antibodies were tested using Toxo-Latex slide agglutination test.Results: Thus, the overall seropositivity for T. gondii was found 70.8% (95% CI: 66.3– 75.5). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that the average monthly income, occupational status, habits of handwashing practices after handling raw meat, water sources for drinking and agroclimatic situations revealed significant (p < 0.05) effects on seropositivity for T. gondii in pregnant women.Conclusion: This survey showed high seropositivity for T. gondii among pregnant women in Northwest Ethiopia. Therefore, further studies on bioassay, isolation and genotype of the pathogen are crucial. It also requires action to prevent and control the infection with T. gondii in pregnant women, which poses a potential threat to a foetus.Keywords: Northwest Ethiopia, pregnant women, risk factors, seropositivity, T. gondii
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