DOI: https://doi.org/10.36347/sasjm.2025.v11i12.007

Pages: 1174-1179

TORCH infections caused by pathogens like Toxoplasma, Rubella virus, Cytomegalovirus (CMV), and Herpes simplex viruses (HSV-1 and HSV-2) are a major reason for neonatal and infant deaths worldwide. Sadly, these infections are becoming more common in developing countries. Objectives: The current study was designed to looked into how often TORCH infections occur and what risk factors are linked to them in pregnant women from District Lower Dir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Method: A total of 300 blood serum samples were analysed through ELISA (enzyme linked immune sorbent assay). Results: Nearly half (48%) of the samples tested positive for at least one infection. Toxoplasma was the most common at 18%, followed by Rubella (14%), HSV-1 (8.33%), CMV (4%), and HSV-2 (2.6%). Co-infections showed up in 16% of cases, with Toxoplasma and CMV being the most frequent pair. Triple infections were less common (9.33%) but still concerning. Women aged 21–40 were the most affected. The study also identified several risk factors for these infections. Eating raw or undercooked meat, consuming unwashed fruits and veggies, exposure to animals, poor literacy, previous miscarriages, and a lack of awareness about TORCH infections all played a role. Notably, the Temargara region had the highest rates of Toxoplasma infection. Conclusion: In conclusion, the study shows that a lack of awareness, poor hygiene, and low vaccination coverage are increasing these high infection rates in pregnant women. The study suggests Education, better hygiene practices, and improved vaccination programs could make a big difference in reducing these infections and their devastating effects.