PREVALENCE OF TOXOPLASMA-GONDII SPECIFIC IMMUNOGLOBULIN-G ANTIBODIES AMONG PREGNANT-WOMEN IN NORWAY

During one year from June 1992 serum IgG antibodies to Toxoplasma gond ii among 35940 pregnant women were measured in a cross-sectional study conducted in Norway. The overall prevalence was 10.9 %. The lowest pr evalences were detected in the north (6.7 %) and in the inland countie s (8.2 %). A significantly higher prevalence was detected in the south ern counties (13.4%) where a mild, coastal climate prevails. Women wit h foreign names had a higher prevalence (22.6 %) than women with Norwe gian names (10.0 %). The high prevalence among women living in the cap ital city (Oslo) as compared to other cities and rural areas (13.2% vs . 10.1% and 10.2% respectively), was explained by the higher proportio n of foreign women in Oslo. Prevalence significantly increased with ag e in women over 34 years old. This increase was only detected among wo men with Norwegian names. An increase in prevalence according to numbe r of children was detected. Women without children had a prevalence of 8.8 % while women with three children or more had a prevalence of 14. 9 %. Multivariate analyses showed that being seropositive was independ ently associated with county of residence, age, nationality and number of children.