Costa et al. BMC Public Health 2012, 12:73 http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/12/73 another study. As a new serology and IgG Avidity Assay Tests were not performed, the interpretation of IgM results had to be cautious in order to avoid the exposure of the mother and fetus to unnecessary procedures [48], showing the importance of the diagnostic confirmation. The Avidity Assay was not performed because this study does not perform serum prevalence analysis. The importance of a serologic follow-up for the preg- nant adolescents with clearer and precise information about the risk factors and the importance of adopting preventive behaviors, is noteworthy. Thus, it is necessary to establish more global preventive measures consider- ing social, economic and cultural matters. The high percentage of pregnant adolescents with non-preventive behavior stands out, which shows the lack of information about preventive care. We add to this the greater proportion of low family income and lit- tle formal schooling among the pregnant adolescents observed in the study that can contribute to increase the risk for infection and contamination of the fetus. It has been estimated that the number of pregnant adoles- cents in specialized hospitals is increasing. Moreover, it is understood that the information regarding preventive measures for toxoplasmosis are not exclusive to health professionals. But include a set of actions developed by global public policies of health and education, along with the professional training on the study theme. Conclusions We concluded that there is a strong association between younger pregnant adolescents who had more prenatal consultations and the preventive behavior for toxoplas- mosis in pregnant adolescents assisted in primary health care in the city of Fortaleza, Ceara, Brazil. The impor- tance of a serologic follow-up for the pregnant adoles- cents with clearer and precise information about the risk factors and the importance of adopting preventive behaviors, is noteworthy. Thus, it is necessary to estab- lish educational measures for food-handling and raising kittens during prenatal care although more global pre- ventive measures can be implemented, considering social, economic and cultural matters. Moreover, it is understood that the information about preventive measures for toxoplasmosis are not exclusive to health professionals, but include a number of actions with the inclusion of this appeal to the list of compul- sory notifications, together with the health professional training on the study theme. Acknowledgements We thank Flaviano da Silva Santos for English translation and review and language editing of the manuscript. Financial support Page 7 of 8 The source of funding for the study was the National Counsel of Technological and Scientific Development (CNPq). Author details 1Master of Collective Health, University of Fortaleza, Av. Washington Soares, 1321, Bairro Edson Queiroz, CEP 60.811-905 Fortaleza, Ceará, Brasil. 2Internal Medicine Department, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Av. 28 de Setembro, 74 5° Andar, Vila Isabel, CEP 20551030 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil. Authors’ contributions Gondim APS, Costa FF and Lima MB conceived and supervised analyses of the study. Vieira LJES, and Braga JU, completed the analyses. Araújo MAL assisted with the study and analyses. All authors read and approved the final manuscript. Authors’ information Fabianne Ferreira Costa, Ms, University of Fortaleza Ana Paula Soares Gondim, PhD, Professor, University of Fortaleza Mary Braga de Lima, Ms, Professor, University of Fortaleza Jose Ueleres Braga, PhD, Professor, State University of Rio de Janeiro Luiza Jane Eyre de Souza Vieira, PhD, Professor, University of Fortaleza Maria Alix Leite Araújo, PhD, Professor, University of Fortaleza Competing interests We recognize that this manuscript does not present financial conflicts among the authors. We certify that this manuscript was submitted only and exclusivity to the BMC Public Health. Received: 23 June 2011 Accepted: 24 January 2012 Published: 24 January 2012 References 1. Ocampo LM, Duarte-Gandica I: Modelo para la dinámica de transmisión de la toxoplasmosis congênita: a model of congenital toxoplasmosis transmission dynamics. Rev Salud Pública 2010, 12:317-326. 2. 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