Toxoplasmosis can cause severe complications in pregnant women and immunocompromised individuals. A cross-sectional study using a self-administered questionnaire was carried out to evaluate knowledge regarding toxoplasmosis among 475 students at Salahaddin University - Erbil and its association with sociodemographic characteristics. Approximately half (49.79%) of the students reported having read, heard, or seen information about toxoplasmosis; however, knowledge of transmission routes and health consequences was limited. Only 37.37% recognized the role of cats in disease transmission, and a low percentage of students knew that infection could occur through the consumption of raw meat, unwashed fruit s or vegetables, blood transfusions, and contaminated soil. Knowledge of adverse pregnancy complications was also low, with only 26.74% indicated that Toxoplasma causes miscarriages, and 27.83% knew that unborn and newborn children could develop serious complications. More than three-quarters of the students practiced preventive behaviours by washing their hands after gardening, handling cat feces, and raw meat; these behaviours appear to reflect general hygiene practices rather than disease-specific knowledge. Generally, poor knowledge was found in 70.32% of students, with females demonstrating higher knowledge scores than males. The study outcomes indicate an urgent need for programs to enhance knowledge and preventive practices regarding toxoplasmosis among university students.
Chalabi et al. (Mon,) studied this question.