Seroprevalence of Toxoplasmosis and associated risk factors among type II diabetic patients attending Somali Sudanese Hospital, Mogadishu, Somalia

Introduction: Toxoplasma gondii is a globally distributed zoonotic protozoan infecting most warm-blooded animals and humans. Transmission primarily occurs through ingestion of tissue cysts in undercooked meat or oocysts contaminating water, soil, and fresh produce. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has become increasingly prevalent worldwide, particularly in regions with limited access to sanitation and food safety. This study aimed to estimate the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection among T2DM patients at the Somali Sudanese Specialized Hospital in Mogadishu, Somalia, and to investigate associated sociodemographic, environmental, and clinical risk factors. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Somali Sudanese Specialized Hospital, including 200 T2DM patients. Serum samples were tested for T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies using a chemiluminescent immunoassay. Descriptive statistics and bivariate logistic regression were used to assess the association between potential risk factors and seropositivity. Results: The overall seroprevalence of T. gondii was 31.5%. Female sex (66.7%) was significantly associated with higher infection rates (OR = 2.281, p = 0.009). Risk factors such as the absence of household toilets (OR = 0.239, p = 0.003), domestic pet ownership (OR = 2.443, p = 0.007), and blood transfusion history (OR = 3.794, p = 0.006) were found to increase infection risk. Multivariable analysis identified the absence of a toilet (aOR = 33.3), pet ownership (aOR = 4.93), and lower educational levels (aOR = 0.26) as significant independent predictors of seropositivity. Conclusions: This study highlights the high prevalence of T. gondii infection among T2DM patients in Somalia, particularly among females, and underscores the critical role of environmental sanitation, pet management, and education in mitigating infection risk. Targeted interventions to improve sanitation and public health education are recommended to reduce T. gondii transmission in this vulnerable population.