Effect of Educational Instructions on Pregnant Women's Knowledge and Attitudes regarding Toxoplasmosis

Abstract

Background : Toxoplasmosis is one of the most dangerous infections during pregnancy that is associated with severe life-threatening complications. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the educational instructions on pregnant women's knowledge and attitudes regarding toxoplasmosis. Subjects and methods : A quasi experimental study design was utilized. This study was conducted at the antenatal units (inpatient and outpatient) of obstetric departments of Tanta University hospitals and El-Menshawy hospital. A purposive sample of 100 pregnant women was included in the study. Two tools were used; Tool I: Pregnant women’s knowledge regarding toxoplasmosis. Tool II: Pregnant women's attitudes regarding toxoplasmosis. Results : More than four fifths (83.0%) of the studied pregnant women had low level of knowledge regarding toxoplasmosis pre the educational instructions while most (93%) of them had high level of knowledge immediately with slight decrease one month post implementation of the educational instructions and nearly one fifth (18%) of them had positive attitude regarding toxoplasmosis pre the educational instructions compared to most (90%) of them immediately which becomes (97%) one month post the educational instructions. Conclusion : The studied pregnant women’s knowledge regarding toxoplasmosis had significantly improved immediately with slight decrease one month post implementation of the educational instructions and they had positive attitudes regarding toxoplasmosis immediately with obvious improvement one month post implementation of the educational instructions. Recommendations: The mass media should be utilized to disseminate correct and relevant information about toxoplasmosis to women, families, and the community.