Seroprevalence and risk factors associated with toxoplasmosis among the butchers of Sanandaj City, west of Iran

Background and Aim: Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic disease with worldwide distribution. There is little information about the risk of occupational exposure to toxoplasmosis. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence and risk factors associated with toxoplasmosis among the butchers in Sanandaj City. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 53 butchers in Sanandaj from May to October 2018. Sampling method was census. The inclusion criteria consisted of: at least 1 year of work experience in the butcher shop and age > 18 years old. After obtaining 5 ml blood sample from each butcher serum samples were prepared. All 53 serum samples were evaluated by ELISA kit for anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG antibody. Furthermore, demographic characteristics and risk factors for toxoplasmosis were investigated, which included: age, residence area, educational level, duration of activity, raw meat consumption, eating while working, wearing gloves, injury when handling raw meat and keeping cat indoors. Data were analyzed by chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression. Results: 6 (11.32%) of the 53 butchers were positive for Toxoplasma gondii. Eating while working and wearing gloves had a significant association with the prevalence of toxoplasmosis (P<0.05). Age, residence area, educational level, duration of activity, raw meat consumption, injury when handling raw meat and keeping cat had no significant association with the prevalence of toxoplasmosis (P>0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study showed low seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis among the butchers of Sanandaj, which can be explained in three aspects: acquaintance of the butchers with the parasitic cysts of the tissues compared to other strata of society, ignoring butchers in non-licensed butcher shops who do not follow hygiene standards, as well as the advancement of various processes of raw meat supply in the last two decades.