Toxoplasmose no cuidado pré-natal: uma revisão sistemática sobre o conhecimento de profissionais de saúde e gestantes brasileiros

Abstract

Introduction:Toxoplasmosis is a major public health concern in Brazil due to its high prevalence and the risk of congenital transmission, which can lead to long-term sequelae in newborns. Despite its clinical relevance, effective prevention during prenatal care depends on the knowledge held by both pregnant women and health professionals. Objective: To identify the gaps in knowledge regarding toxoplasmosis among Brazilian pregnant women and healthcare providers. Methods: A systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines 2020. Searches were performed in Pubmed, CAPES, and BVS databases for studies published between 2021 and 2025, using the descriptors "knowledge", "toxoplasmosis", and "Brazil", combined by the Boolean operator AND. Results: Six articles met the inclusion criteria and were selected for final analysis. The studies revealed a low level of health literacy across all education levels. Pregnant women often lack information about transmission routes, frequently overemphasizing the role of cats while ignoring risks like contaminated food and water. Furthermore, health professionals, including physicians and nurses, showed significant deficiencies regarding serological screening periods, interpretation of avidity tests, and clinical management protocols. Conclusion: Toxoplasmosis remains a neglected challenge in Brazil. There is an urgent need for continuous professional training and robust public health education strategies to standardize clinical conduct, and improve preventive measures, breaking the cycle of congenital infection, in a way to ensure better maternal and child health outcomes.