ABSTRACT Background
Toxoplasmosis is an
infection that
affects almost a third of the
world population. In
adults, it is often asymptomatic, although having important manifestation in
children- infected by placental
transmission. The prenatal is an important moment, requiring actions in
women’s care during
pregnancy, in order to prevent
diseases that could compromise the
mother and the
child’s
life.
Methods This is a descriptive study of qualitative approach aimed to understand the
perception of
nurses and
pregnant women about
toxoplasmosis during primary –
prenatal care. The study was conducted in five selected
primary health care units, in the municipality of São Luis - MA. The sample consisted of 15
nurses working in
nursing consultation and 15
pregnant women attended in
prenatal care. For
data collection, a semi-structured
questionnaire and an
interview guide covering issues related to
knowledge and conduct on
toxoplasmosis were used. For
analysis, the content
analysis technique was used. Results The answers were transcribed, organized and grouped thematically, where the following categories emerged
knowledge about examination requests;
knowledge about
toxoplasmosis; guidance during prenatal
consultation;
knowledge of
nurses about the avidity test;
procedures and guidelines on
reagent cases.
Pregnant women showed unawareness about
toxoplasmosis and its effects.
Nurses, although having basic
knowledge about the subject, showed little applicability regarding
pregnant women’s guidance. Conclusion The
nurse plays an important
role in
educational activities regarding
pregnant women, contributing to the quality of
prenatal care.
Pregnant women were shown to have some
knowledge about
toxoplasmosis, although they said they did not have assurance about prevention.