Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health

The Korean Society for Preventive Medicine (대한예방의학회)
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Seroprevalence and Risk Factors of Toxoplasma gondii Infection in High School Students in Cheju Province

제주도 고등학교 학생의 톡소포자충 항체 양성률 및 감염 위험요인

  • Yang, Hyun-Jong (Department of Parasitology Medicine, Cheju National University College of Medicine) ;
  • Bae, Jong-Myon (Department of Preventive Medicine, Cheju National University College of Medicine) ;
  • Choi, Hyun-Sik (Department of Clinical Pathology, Cheju Hankook Hospital) ;
  • Hwang, Hwan-Sik (Department of family Medicine, Cheju Medical Center) ;
  • Oh, Hoon-Kyu (Department of Pathology, Wallace Memorial Baptist Hospital) ;
  • Yun, Dong-Hyun (Korea Association of Health, Cheju) ;
  • Hong, Seong-Chul (Department of Preventive Medicine, Cheju National University College of Medicine)
  • 양현종 (제주대학교 의과대학 기생충학교실) ;
  • 배종면 (제주대학교 의과대학 예방의학교실) ;
  • 최현식 (제주 한국병원 임상병리과) ;
  • 황환식 (제주의료원 가정의학과) ;
  • 오훈규 (왈레스 기념 침례병원 해부병리과) ;
  • 윤동헌 (건강관리협회 제주지부) ;
  • 홍성철 (제주대학교 의과대학 예방의학교실)
  • Published : 2000.09.01
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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.

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