Evaluating maternal knowledge and awareness of TORCH infections in primary health care facilities | ||
| Microbes and Infectious Diseases | ||
| Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 22 September 2025 | ||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||
| DOI: 10.21608/mid.2025.419370.3164 | ||
| Authors | ||
| Maysaloun Abdulhameed AL-Sadoon* 1; MUNTAHA A. H. NASIR2; Ban Anas Sabbar1 | ||
| 1Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Basrah, Iraq | ||
| 2Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Basrah University, Basrah, Iraq | ||
| Abstract | ||
| Background: TORCH infections, Toxoplasmosis, syphilis and other related disease organisms, Rubella, Cytomegaloivrus, Herpes simplex virus, have long been recognized as the most common causes of unfavorable outcomes in pregnancy. These vertically transmitted infections can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, congenital anomalies, and long-term disabilities in newborns. Awareness and early screening are crucial to minimize complications, yet information among pregnant women, especially in primary healthcare settings, remains limited. Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the level of knowledge and awareness of TORCH infections in pregnant women attending the selected PHCs; and to investigate the socio-demographic determinants of the knowledge. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional design was employed, involving 130 antenatal women selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected using a self-developed questionnaire consisting of 25 items assessing knowledge alongside socio-demographic information. Knowledge scores were categorized as poor (0–8), average (9–16), or good (17–25). Data analysis was performed with the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Results: The findings indicated that 20.8% of the participants demonstrated poor knowledge, 46.2% had a moderate level of knowledge, while 33% showed good awareness of TORCH infections. Significant associations were found between knowledge scores and educational level, gravida status, and gestational age (p < 0.05), while diet type showed no significant correlation. Conclusion: A substantial proportion of antenatal mothers lacked adequate knowledge of TORCH infections. Strengthening antenatal education programs and integrating targeted health promotion interventions in PHCs are essential to improve maternal awareness and reduce TORCH-related complications. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| TORCH infections; antenatal mothers; primary health centers; congenital infections | ||
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