Abstract
ABSTRACT Disparities in control mechanisms to prevent the spread of Chagas disease in Switzerland raise questions about the process of its recognition as a public health problem, particularly as it concerns migrant populations. With a focus on congenital screening practices, I explore the way in which health care providers experience, problematize and respond to the disease, acting as key agents not only in the provision of care but also in the recognition of Chagas disease as a problem that needs to be addressed. Such an approach contributes to the understanding of processes of public health agenda creation around neglected tropical diseases in non-endemic countries.
Highlights
Les disparités dans les mécanismes de prévention de la transmission de la maladie de Chagas en Suisse soulèvent des questions sur les processus de sa reconnaissance en tant que problème de santé publique, en particulier lorsque le risque concerne les populations migrantes
Since the end of the 20th century, Chagas disease (CD) – which can only be spread in non-endemic countries through congenital transmission, blood transfusions, and organ transplants – has been considered “an emerging public health problem” in Europe (Requena-Méndez et al 2014)
This research is based on two sets of complementary data – first, a qualitative analysis of semistructured interviews with health care providers conducted in Geneva and Lausanne in 2019, and, second, a critical review of the Swiss medical literature on CD – in order to provide greater insight into the production and circulation of knowledge about CD, as well as the history of its clinical and public health trajectory in Switzerland
Summary
This research is based on two sets of complementary data – first, a qualitative analysis of semistructured interviews with health care providers conducted in Geneva and Lausanne in 2019, and, second, a critical review of the Swiss medical literature on CD – in order to provide greater insight into the production and circulation of knowledge about CD, as well as the history of its clinical and public health trajectory in Switzerland. According to a few actors, the circulation of information about CD should not be limited to the specialized research literature that professionals can consult, but should reach the general population so that society as a whole is aware of CD This opinion was shared by a doctor who carries out screenings: “I think that, for a better impact, it is preferable to talk about Chagas in 20 Minutes [a free daily newspaper with a large circulation] rather than in medical journals, because information for the general public spreads” (Isabelle, clinician, doctor in a leadership position). Most at-risk migrants are already in precarious situations, and located in a socio-political context where being a migrant is a disadvantage
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