Abstract:

Background and information: toxoplasmosis is a globally distributed disease caused by toxoplasma gondii (T.gondii), a protozoan parasite that belongs to the phylum Apicomplexa. It is estimated to infect more than one-third of the world population and response for about 1.2 million disability- adjusted life years (DALYS) annually, making to be potential food- borne pathogen with public health importance.

Rationale: the goal of the study is to identify the gaps in health care system that can be filled to improve early diagnosis and management of the population at risk of severe disease and poor clinical outcome as well as providing health education on disease identification, importance of correct diagnosis and treatment as well as prevention.

Objective: to determine knowledge, attitude and practice on clinical presentation, diagnosis and management of toxoplamosis among health care workers at oncology department at Bugando Medical Centre.

Methods: the study design employed was a cross sectional hospital- based study that was conducted on June 2021 involving 40 participants where questionnaire was the main data collection tool. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20.

Results: 22.5% had significant knowledge on toxoplasmosis risk factors, animals infected, clinical manifestations and how to diagnose and treat toxoplasmosis, 7.5% have come into contact with toxoplasmosis cases and 2.5% have come into contact with retinochoroiditis toxoplasmosis case.

Conclusion: the study revealed that a large number of health care workers at oncology department at Bugando Medical Centre do not have much knowledge on toxoplasmosis risk factors mode of transmission, complications and management. Also, majority involving doctors reported to have not attended toxoplasmosis cases and have no practice on toxoplasmosis. Putting into account providing education on toxoplasmosis to health workers should not be undermined.