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Background Toxoplasmosis is a common parasitic infection with high prevalence and worldwide distribution. It may cause severe disease in the fetus of newly infected pregnant women. Objective This study aimed to evaluate the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis and its related risk factors among pregnant women in Ramsar city, Mazandaran province, north of Iran, from October 2017 to March 2018. Methods In this analytical-cross sectional study, specific anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG and IgM antibodies were measured in 191 pregnant women by ELISA method. The length of T. gondii infection was estimated by the IgG avidity test. Demographic and behavioral information about pregnant women and possible risk factors of toxoplasmosis were collected through interviews. Results Specific IgG antibody against T. gondii was detected in 46.1% and IgM in 5.8% and both IgG and IgM antibodies were detected in 4.7% of pregnant women. The IgG avidity test did not show any acute case of toxoplasmosis. None of the demographic characteristics, such as age, occupation, place of residence, education, income, trimester of pregnancy, frequency of pregnancy, and history of abortion was correlated with toxoplasmosis. Moreover, behavioral characteristics, such as the source of consumed water, contact with soil, presence of cats in the household, consumption of vegetables, type of meat consumed, and the way of cooking meat had no significant correlation with toxoplasmosis seropositivity. Conclusion More than half of the pregnant women (54%) were toxoplasmosis-free and therefore at risk of acquiring this infection. Increasing the knowledge of pregnant women about toxoplasmosis prevention may reduce the risk of this infection during pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Multiple risk factors are associated with depression during pregnancy, but so far the effect of fetal sex on depression in pregnancy has not been investigated in Iran. Objective: Frequency survey and depression – related factors with emphasis on relationship between depression and fetal sex in pregnant women referred to Al-Zahra Rasht. Materials and Methods: This analytical cross-sectional study was done within a period of two months (June and July 2013) on 500 pregnant women referred (more than 20 weeks of pregnancy) to prenatal care of Al-Zahra hospital. The questionnaire consistingof two demographic data and midwifery sections and Beck standard depression inventory were completed by patients who had the inclusion criteria. Results: The prevalence of depression in 500 pregnant women was found to be 27.4%. Factors associated with depression in pregnancy using multiple Logistic regression models, maternal employment status, number of children, same sex of fetus with previous children, duration of notice from fetus sex, family history of depression, stressful event and satisfaction from spouse, and were identified as the most powerful variables affecting theincidence of depression in pregnancy. There was no significant relationship between depression and fetal gender. Conclusion: The high prevalence of depression among pregnant women in this study, compared with global studies suggests the need for more reviews and principal interventionalstudies in this field. The same gender of fetus with previous child and duration of knowledge of fetal sex had a significant relationship with depression during pregnancy. According to the results of this study, screening of the groups at risk of depression is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]