Seroprevalence of Toxoplasmosis and associated risk factors among HIV/AIDS patients attending ART clinic at Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital in Kabarole district, Western Uganda: a hospital-based cross-sectional study

Abstract

Introduction: Toxoplasmosisis a neglected opportunistic protozoan infection that occurs among patients with HIV/AIDS, thereby affecting response to Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART). This study determined the seroprevalence of Toxoplasmosis and associated factors among HIV/AIDS patients at Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital (FRRH) ART Clinic in Kabarole District, Western Uganda. Methods: a hospital-based cross-sectional study design was used to recruit368 study participants between May 2025 and June 2025 at the ART Clinic of FRRH. Study participants were sampled purposively, consented, and blood specimens were collected aseptically; socio-demographic characteristics were collected using a standard questionnaire. Data was entered into Microsoft Excel 2021, cleaned and exported into statistical data analysis (STATA) version 17 for analysis. Descriptive statistics were conducted using measures of central tendency. Categorical data was presented in the form of frequency distribution tables. The prevalence of Toxoplasmosis was expressed as a percentage of HIV/AIDS participants who had Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) antibody-positive test. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression were conducted for the factors associated with Toxoplasmosis, and results were reported using crude and adjusted odds ratios at 95% CI. Statistical significance was at p<0.05. Results: the prevalence of Toxoplasmosis was 6.8% (95% CI: 4.6 - 9.9). Owning a cat(s) within the household was significantly associated with T. gondii infections (aOR = 4.25, 95% CI = 1.35-13.33, p=0.013). Conclusion: the findings revealed that undiagnosed Toxoplasmosis exists in some people living with HIV/AIDS while on therapy at ART clinic of Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital. Furthermore, the presence of pets, mostly cats, as reservoirs or primary hosts within the household increases the likelihood of Toxoplasmosis. Therefore, routine screening for Toxoplasmosis among people living with HIV/AIDS on therapy should be done in addition to health education about deworming all the pets, and improved hygienic and sanitation practices in households with pets.