Korean J Prev Med.  2000 Sep;33(3):271-279.

Seroprevalence and Risk Factors of Toxoplasma gondii Infection in High School Students in Cheju Province

• Hong SC
• Yang HJ
• Bae JM
• Choi HS
• Hwang HS
• Oh HK
• Yun DH

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
To assess the seroprevalence and risk factors of toxoplasmosis in high school students in Cheju Province, Korea.
METHODS
A total of 4,570 high school students from 18 schools in Cheju Province were investigated for Toxoplasma gondii antibodies(IgG) by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Risk factors for toxoplasmosis, such as place of residence, type of house, contact with cats and other pets, and rare meat consumption, were examined by questionnaire.
RESULTS
The overall antibody positive rate was 5.5% and ranged from 2.6 to 11.5% by school. There was no significant difference between males and females. Statistical analyses of the questionnaire data indicated that the risk factors for seropositivity were: (1) birth place (Cheju/others), (2) place of residence (rural/urban), (3) dietary habits (vegetarian/non vegetarian), (4) eating rare meat, (5) exposure to pets and (6) hepatitis B.
CONCLUSION
We confirmed that the prevalence of the anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibody in a population of high school students in Cheju Province was to the previously reported prevalence.

Keyword

Toxoplasmosis; Cheju; Toxoplasma gondii; Seroepidemiology; Korea

MeSH Terms

Animals
Cats
Eating
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
Female
Food Habits
Hepatitis B
Humans
Jeju-do*
Korea
Male
Meat
Prevalence
Surveys and Questionnaires
Residence Characteristics
Risk Factors*
Seroepidemiologic Studies*
Toxoplasma*
Toxoplasmosis*