Study model for knowledge of triatomine-infestation index and anti-chagas antibody seroprevalence in a rural community

Abstract

Chagas disease is one of the more important public health problems in Latin America. Albeit the World Health Organization (WHO) has estimated a seroprevalence for Chagas disease in Ecuador of 0.25%, recent analysis revealed a general prevalence of 1.38%. Previous studies about this disease in Loja Province, established a general-population seroprevalence of 5,2% and a triatomine-infestation index per house of 34 %.In this study, performed by an interdisciplinary team, integrated by the National Chagas Program, the Loja Province health authorities and the aid of Doctors without Borders, we analyzed three cantons of Loja Province (Chaguarpamba, Olmedo y Paltas), selected according to previous studies which recognized them as epidemiological importance regions for this disease.We designed a prevalence-analytic study, in order to discover the seroprevalence of this disease in the population under 14-years, and the triatomine-infestation indexo We consider a representative sample, selected trough the cluster sampling system, based on 30 communities in the three cantons. A total of 1.102 blood samples, were obtained and analyzed using ELISA method (Miurex), this yielded 17 positive samples (1,54%). We also visited 449 houses, detecting Triatomines in 48 ofthem (10,6%). Then, the National Service for Malaria Eradication, sprayed insecticide to those houses. This studies, confirm that the Loja Province is one ofthe more affected by Chagas disease in Ecuador, thus, revealing the enonnous need ofstrengthen the Program for the fight against Chagas, this, includes community work, vector control and proper medical treatment.