الفهرس 
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Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is a cosmopolitan disease arising from infected cat with toxoplama- gondii. This disease is a major public health problem, with a high socio-economic impact and with a major morbidity specially those of sick, mentally retarded and blind children. Maternity nurses are in a unique position to assist in preventing toxoplasma infection during pregnancy through their health education and counseling which are very crucial nursing tasks. Understanding of disease symptoms, mode of transmission and dangerous is necessary to help the nurse to deal with them in away that contribute to provision of sensible adequate proper and professional care.
Therefore, this study was carried out to assess pregnant women’s knowledge about toxoplasmosis in kafr – el sheikh governorate.
The study was conducted in 8 Maternal and Child Health centers (MCH) in Kafr El- Sheikh governorate. A convenient sample of 480 pregnant women attending the above mentioned settings were selected for this study. Sixty women were selected from each of the previously mentioned centers. An interview schedule was developed by the researcher after reviewing of the related literature. It entailed information related to socio demographic data such as age, level of education, occupation, residence, type of family ,family size and income…. etc. It included also questions related to: reproductive history such as, gravidity, parity, abortion and type of delivery. In addition, It included study subject’s knowledge about toxoplasmosis such as definition, causes, mode of transmission, clinical picture and management as well as their sources of knowledge.
The content validity of the developed tool was tested by 5 juries, who are experts in this field. A pilot study was carried out on 48 women ( who were excluded from the study sample) to test the reliability, relevance and applicability of this tool as well as the time needed to complete it. Collection of data covered a period of seven months starting from the beginning of February 2012 till the end of August 2012. It was carried out through the interview schedule which was conducted individually and in a total privacy. The collected data was categorized, coded, computerized, tabulated and analyzed by statistical specialist.
The main findings of the study were:
Study subjects’ general characteristics:
• More than two – thirds (66.7%, 67,5%) of women were between 25 to more than 30 years old and had nuclear family, respectively. As well as more than one-third of them (37.1%, 34.2%) were from the rural areas and the size of their family were more than five members, respectively.
• More than one- third of the participants (41.7%, 37.7%) received university and secondary education respectively.
• The vast majority of the women (85.2%, 98.3%, 98.1%) were housewives, married and had sufficient family income, respectively.
• Most of women (98.8%, 99.2%, 97.9%&92.2%) live in houses equipped with water supply, electricity, sewage disposal and bathroom, respectively.
Reproductive history:
• More than three-fifths of women (62.1%, 63.5%) had pregnancy and delivery three times or less, respectively, and the most of women (91.8%) had no history of abortion.