KNOWLEDGE OF NURSING STUDENTS ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION AND PREVENTION OF INFECTIONS CAUSED BY TOXOPLASMA GONDII, RUBELLA VIRUS, CYTOMEGALOVIRUS IN WOMEN DURING PREGNANCY

Background. The knowledge about the prevention of infections with TORCH pathogens, including Toxoplasma gondii, Rubella virus and Cytomegalovirus, combined with the proper involvement in health educator’s work may affect the creation of the correct attitudes and health promoting habits.

Study objective - the evaluation of knowledge of nursing students of the State School of Higher Education in Biała Podlaska (Poland) and the University of Prešov (Slovakia) about the transmission routes and prevention of infections caused by T. gondiii, Rubella virus and CMV in women during pregnancy.

Material and methods The study group included 158 nursing students from the State School of Higher Education in Biała Podlaska, and 240 students from the University of Prešov. An original questionnaire was used; it contained closed questions regarding the specific TORCH pathogens.

Results. Correct answers to the question regarding the route of infection with T. gondiii were provided by 43.5% of respondents from both universities; 42.5% knew the route of foetal infection with T. gondiii, whereas 79.9% knew the methods to diagnose toxoplasmosis. Respondents knew consequences of infections caused by Rubella virus to the foetus (79.4%). Students of the State School of Higher Education (90.5%) and students of the University of Prešov (44.6%) were aware of the importance of rubella vaccination as a method of prevention of infection with Rubella virus.

Conclusions. Nursing students are familiar with the methods used in the diagnostics of toxoplasmosis and the consequences for the foetus resulting from infections with Rubella virus. However, the awareness regarding the transmission routes of T. gondiii and prevention of infections caused by Rubella virus and CMV was insufficient.