<![CDATA[ABSTRACT Background: Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic disease caused by Toxoplasma gondii, with cats (Felis catus) serving as the definitive host. The parasite spreads through millions of oocysts shed in feline feces, which can survive in the environment for weeks. In Indonesia, the prevalence of toxoplasmosis remains high, especially in Makassar, where human seropositivity reaches 60%. Despite this, awareness of toxoplasmosis remains low, even though the infection can cause serious complications such as congenital toxoplasmosis, miscarriage, and encephalitis. Methods: This study used a descriptive observational design with secondary data from PCR testing for Toxoplasma gondii in blood samples of local cat owners in Antang Raya, Makassar. Characteristics assessed included age, gender, number of cats owned, duration of ownership, and hygiene practices. Results: The findings showed that 38.5% of respondents tested positive for Toxoplasma gondii, with the highest exposure occurring in the productive age group (16–30 years). The study also found that infection occurred regardless of routine hygiene practices, highlighting that animal hygiene alone is insufficient to prevent transmission. Conclusion:These results emphasize the strategic role of nurses in zoonotic disease prevention, particularly through community-based health education, early detection, environmental sanitation promotion, and reproductive health advocacy. Strengthening the role of nurses in preventive efforts is essential to reduce the risk of toxoplasmosis transmission and its impact on public health, especially among women of reproductive age. Keywords: Toxoplasma gondii, zoonosis, cat owners, nursing, prevention ABSTRAK Latar Belakang: Toxoplasmosis merupakan penyakit zoonosis yang ditularkan oleh parasit Toxoplasma gondii dan sering kali tidak disadari masyarakat karena gejalanya bersifat asimptomatik. Kucing lokal (Felis catus) sebagai hospes definitif memiliki peran besar dalam penyebaran ookista yang dapat mencemari lingkungan. Prevalensi toxoplasmosis di Indonesia tergolong tinggi, termasuk di Makassar yang mencapai 60%. Infeksi ini berpotensi berdampak serius terhadap kesehatan reproduksi, kehamilan, serta meningkatkan risiko gangguan sistem saraf, sehingga diperlukan upaya pencegahan berbasis keperawatan komunitas. Metode: Penelitian ini menggunakan desain deskriptif observasional berdasarkan data sekunder hasil deteksi Toxoplasma gondii menggunakan metode Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) pada darah pemelihara kucing lokal di Kecamatan Manggala, Makassar. Karakteristik responden meliputi usia, jenis kelamin, jumlah dan lama memelihara kucing, serta kebiasaan perawatan hewan. Hasil: Sebanyak 38,5% responden terdeteksi positif Toxoplasma gondii, dengan kelompok usia produktif (16–30 tahun) menunjukkan proporsi paparan tertinggi. Ditemukan bahwa infeksi tetap terjadi meskipun sebagian partisipan rutin menjaga kebersihan hewan, yang menunjukkan perlunya upaya pencegahan lebih menyeluruh. Kesimpulan: Tingginya angka infeksi Toxoplasma gondii pada pemelihara kucing lokal menunjukkan pentingnya intervensi pencegahan berbasis keperawatan. Perawat berperan strategis sebagai penyuluh kesehatan, fasilitator deteksi dini, promotor sanitasi lingkungan, dan advokat kesehatan reproduksi guna menekan penyebaran zoonosis di masyarakat. Kata kunci: Toxoplasma gondii, zoonosis, pemelihara kucing, peran perawat, pencegahan]]>
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