Cross-sectional community-based study to assess the awareness of toxoplasmosis in Saudi Arabia

A few reports have been published and documented low level of awareness on toxoplasmosis among Saudi women. Herein, a cross sectional community based study was undertaken to evaluate basic knowledge on toxoplasmosis among residents in the Eastern province (Sharqiyah). Thisstudy was conducted between December 2022 and January 2023 on 334 females from different ages and educational backgrounds. Analysis of their responses revealed that only (24.9%) had heard about the disease. However, (69.8%) properly identified cats as the source of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii), but a smaller percentage (47.7%) knew that they might become infected through handling cat feces, and a few (26.3%) believed that bad hand hygiene can result in T. gondii infection. A few males (n = 26) have also participated, for the first time in Saudi Arabia, and displayed also low level of knowledge on toxoplasmosis. We do recommend establishing educational programs for females, in various Saudi provinces, to raise awareness on toxoplasmosis.