Health Behavior of Female University Students regarding Toxoplasmosis

Elsadat, Aya Mohamed; El-Shabory, Nor El-Hoda Mohamed; Ibrahim, Seham Shehata; Amasha, Hadayat Abd Elraof

doi:10.21608/pssjn.2025.417502.1375

Health Behavior of Female University Students regarding Toxoplasmosis

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Maternity, Gynecology and Obstetrics Nursing Faculty of Nursing- Port said University Port Said City Egypt

² Maternity, Gynecology and obstetrics Nursing Port said university Egypt

³ Gynecology and Obstetrical Nursing- Faculty of Nursing &Port Said University- Port Said- Egypt

⁴ Maternity, Gynecology and Obstetrics Nursing Faculty of Nursing Damietta University Damietta Egypt

10.21608/pssjn.2025.417502.1375

Abstract

Background: Toxoplasmosis is a public health concern affecting humans and animals, often asymptomatic thanks to a healthy immune system that controls the infection. The study aimed to assess health behavior of female university students about Toxoplasmosis. Subjects and Method: A descriptive study design was utilized in the current study. Port Said University campus of girls that is located in Port Fouad City was the setting of the current study. A purposive sample of 488 female university students was recruited for this study. The tool used to collect data was a self-administered questionnaire, which consisted of: (1) Socio-demographic data of the studied sample and (2) Health behavior of female university students regarding toxoplasmosis that included 9 questions for all students about eating and cooking safety practices and hygiene and another 11 questions for only pet owners focusing on pet's hygiene, self-hygiene while dealing with pets, vaccination and food of pets. It was described as suitable, fair and poor. Results: According to the current study, 86.1% of the studied group had a satisfactory and suitable level of healthy behaviors, while 4.1% had a poor level. Only 38.3% of students own pets, while 74.9% of the studied group who own pets had a satisfactory and suitable level of healthy behaviors. Additionally, there was a statistically significant relation between age, faculty, academic level and ownership of pets and health behavior of female university students regarding toxoplasmosis. Conclusion: A suitable health behavior regarding Toxoplasmosis was found among the studied group. Recommendations: Emphasizing on preventive measures through workshops for students about healthy food practices and good hygiene to prevent any infectious diseases.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Maternity, Gynecology & Obstetrics Nursing

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