Seroprevalence of Toxoplasmosis and associated risk factors among type II diabetic patients attending Somali Sudanese Hospital, Mogadishu, Somalia

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasmosis and associated risk factors among type II diabetic patients attending Somali Sudanese Hospital, Mogadishu, Somalia | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Seroprevalence of Toxoplasmosis and associated risk factors among type II diabetic patients attending Somali Sudanese Hospital, Mogadishu, Somalia Mohamed Adam Mahamud, Abdelhakam G. Tamomh This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-9001921/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Under Review Version 1 posted 5 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Introduction: Toxoplasma gondii is a globally distributed zoonotic protozoan infecting most warm-blooded animals and humans. Transmission primarily occurs through ingestion of tissue cysts in undercooked meat or oocysts contaminating water, soil, and fresh produce. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has become increasingly prevalent worldwide, particularly in regions with limited access to sanitation and food safety. This study aimed to estimate the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection among T2DM patients at the Somali Sudanese Specialized Hospital in Mogadishu, Somalia, and to investigate associated sociodemographic, environmental, and clinical risk factors. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Somali Sudanese Specialized Hospital, including 200 T2DM patients. Serum samples were tested for T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies using a chemiluminescent immunoassay. Descriptive statistics and bivariate logistic regression were used to assess the association between potential risk factors and seropositivity. Results: The overall seroprevalence of T. gondii was 31.5%. Female sex (66.7%) was significantly associated with higher infection rates (OR = 2.281, p = 0.009). Risk factors such as the absence of household toilets (OR = 0.239, p = 0.003), domestic pet ownership (OR = 2.443, p = 0.007), and blood transfusion history (OR = 3.794, p = 0.006) were found to increase infection risk. Multivariable analysis identified the absence of a toilet (aOR = 33.3), pet ownership (aOR = 4.93), and lower educational levels (aOR = 0.26) as significant independent predictors of seropositivity. Conclusions: This study highlights the high prevalence of T. gondii infection among T2DM patients in Somalia, particularly among females, and underscores the critical role of environmental sanitation, pet management, and education in mitigating infection risk. Targeted interventions to improve sanitation and public health education are recommended to reduce T. gondii transmission in this vulnerable population. Toxoplasma gondi Type II diabetic Seroprevalence Risk factors Somalia Full Text Cite Share Download PDF Status: Under Review Version 1 posted Reviewers agreed at journal 06 Apr, 2026 Editor invited by journal 01 Apr, 2026 Reviewers invited by journal 02 Mar, 2026 Editor assigned by journal 02 Mar, 2026 First submitted to journal 01 Mar, 2026 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-9001921","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":599260375,"identity":"a00b52fc-c50a-430b-8a17-ae208cdcd544","order_by":0,"name":"Mohamed Adam Mahamud","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAA/klEQVRIie3RPWsCMRjA8ecIZArneofQfoVHBEGk7WeRgzgJulWEa8Hd/cAP4dQ5R8BbTlwDWepyk4MukqGD8bihlEYcHfLPFMiPvAH4fA+asONa8A1YTyG6h1wXEbybQENo1Exuk7DY7nNTvqaoxtXMTL6eQ0FyzSB9cpG4HKFkKolQjXqaoe5kgiYDBrLrIig4SDgSSzjVgDpYC9ZrMxDDTxfZVZCb40dNpgb121q0zpakbqI4CKZkTcAebGh3oZYQJ4lVBZKVRZyVFWlbkmSSdvsrdN8l3HFyMpt5Kyx4cDI/+mVZLPbq8O5+sebjf0fqAzvBf8Tn8/l8f7oAj0ldwfcivIgAAAAASUVORK5CYII=","orcid":"https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0123-7726","institution":"University of El Imam El Mahdi","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Mohamed","middleName":"Adam","lastName":"Mahamud","suffix":""},{"id":599260376,"identity":"321c5b01-ea3a-429d-b56d-5323989d4506","order_by":1,"name":"Abdelhakam G. Tamomh","email":"","orcid":"https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2880-5751","institution":"University of El Imam El Mahdi","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Abdelhakam","middleName":"G.","lastName":"Tamomh","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2026-03-01 13:54:43","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-9001921/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-9001921/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":104401751,"identity":"d6034ce4-0320-42ab-ae1c-33a297e9fb23","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-03-11 12:13:26","extension":"pdf","order_by":1,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":423255,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"ToxoplasmaamongdiabetictypeIIMarch1.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-9001921/v1_covered_fe258fd6-7502-4775-8233-8bdaf9111dae.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"","formattedTitle":"Seroprevalence of Toxoplasmosis and associated risk factors among type II diabetic patients attending Somali Sudanese Hospital, Mogadishu, Somalia","fulltext":[],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":false,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":false,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":true,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":true,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"journal-of-parasitic-diseases","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"jopd","sideBox":"Learn more about [Journal of Parasitic Diseases](https://www.springer.com/journal/12639)","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"https://www.editorialmanager.com/jopd/default.aspx","title":"Journal of Parasitic Diseases","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"em","reportingPortfolio":"Springer Hybrid","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":false},"keywords":"Toxoplasma gondi, Type II diabetic, Seroprevalence, Risk factors, Somalia","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-9001921/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-9001921/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIntroduction: \u003c/strong\u003eToxoplasma gondii is a globally distributed zoonotic protozoan infecting most warm-blooded animals and humans. Transmission primarily occurs through ingestion of tissue cysts in undercooked meat or oocysts contaminating water, soil, and fresh produce. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has become increasingly prevalent worldwide, particularly in regions with limited access to sanitation and food safety. This study aimed to estimate the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection among T2DM patients at the Somali Sudanese Specialized Hospital in Mogadishu, Somalia, and to investigate associated sociodemographic, environmental, and clinical risk factors.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaterials and Methods:\u003c/strong\u003e A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Somali Sudanese Specialized Hospital, including 200 T2DM patients. Serum samples were tested for T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies using a chemiluminescent immunoassay. Descriptive statistics and bivariate logistic regression were used to assess the association between potential risk factors and seropositivity.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eResults:\u003c/strong\u003e The overall seroprevalence of T. gondii was 31.5%. Female sex (66.7%) was significantly associated with higher infection rates (OR = 2.281, p = 0.009). Risk factors such as the absence of household toilets (OR = 0.239, p = 0.003), domestic pet ownership (OR = 2.443, p = 0.007), and blood transfusion history (OR = 3.794, p = 0.006) were found to increase infection risk. Multivariable analysis identified the absence of a toilet (aOR = 33.3), pet ownership (aOR = 4.93), and lower educational levels (aOR = 0.26) as significant independent predictors of seropositivity.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConclusions:\u003c/strong\u003e This study highlights the high prevalence of T. gondii infection among T2DM patients in Somalia, particularly among females, and underscores the critical role of environmental sanitation, pet management, and education in mitigating infection risk. Targeted interventions to improve sanitation and public health education are recommended to reduce T. gondii transmission in this vulnerable population.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Seroprevalence of Toxoplasmosis and associated risk factors among type II diabetic patients attending Somali Sudanese Hospital, Mogadishu, Somalia","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2026-03-05 04:57:56","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-9001921/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"","date":"2026-04-06T07:42:50+00:00","index":0,"fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvited","content":"Journal of Parasitic Diseases","date":"2026-04-01T12:13:12+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewersInvited","content":"","date":"2026-03-02T11:26:26+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorAssigned","content":"","date":"2026-03-02T07:30:08+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"submitted","content":"Journal of Parasitic Diseases","date":"2026-03-01T08:54:09+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"journal-of-parasitic-diseases","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"jopd","sideBox":"Learn more about [Journal of Parasitic Diseases](https://www.springer.com/journal/12639)","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"https://www.editorialmanager.com/jopd/default.aspx","title":"Journal of Parasitic Diseases","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"em","reportingPortfolio":"Springer Hybrid","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":false}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"9fcd422a-5614-4ad9-a8f6-0ca138cc072a","owner":[],"postedDate":"March 5th, 2026","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"under-review","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2026-03-05T04:57:56+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2026-03-05 04:57:56","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-9001921","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-9001921","identity":"rs-9001921","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"XKTyCvWXoU3ODBz1xrDgd","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}