Abstract
BackgroundChagas disease is a parasitic disease endemic to Latin America, but it has become a disease of global concern due to migration flows. Asymptomatic carriers may host the parasite for years, without knowing they are infected. The aim of this study is to assess prevalence of Chagas disease and evaluate the participants’ level of knowledge between Latin American migrants attending a community-based screening campaign.MethodsThree community-based campaigns were performed in Alicante (Spain) in 2016, 2017 and 2018, including educational chats and blood tests for Trypanosoma cruzi serology. Participants completed a questionnaire assessing knowledge about the mechanisms of transmission, disease presentation, diagnosis, and treatment. People seropositive for T. cruzi underwent diagnostic confirmation by two different tests. Results were analyzed by multivariable logistic regression and expressed as adjusted odds ratios (aORs), adjusting for age, sex, and time in Spain.ResultsA total of 596 participants were included in the study; 17% were aged under 18 years. Prevalence in adults was 11% [54/496; 95% confidence interval (CI): 8.3–14.5%] versus 0% among children. All but one case were in Bolivians. Diagnosis was independently associated with having been born in Bolivia (aOR: 102, 95% CI: 13–781) and a primary school-level education (aOR: 2.40, 95% CI: 1.14–5.06). Of 54 people diagnosed with Chagas disease (most of whom were asymptomatic), 42 (77.7%) returned to the clinic at least once, and 24 (44.4%) received treatment. Multivariable analysis showed that coming from Argentina (aOR: 13, 95% CI: 1.61–1188) or Bolivia (aOR: 1.90, 95% CI: 1.19–3.39) and having received information about Chagas disease in Spain (aOR: 4.63, 95% CI: 2.54–8.97) were associated with a good level of knowledge on the disease. Having primary level studies (aOR: 0.59, 95% CI: 0.34–0.98) and coming from Ecuador (aOR: 4.63, 95% CI: 2.52–847) were independently associated with a lower level of knowledge.ConclusionsCommunity-based interventions are a good strategy for diagnosing neglected diseases such as Chagas disease in non-endemic countries and for identifying and treating infected, asymptomatic individuals.Graphic abstract
Highlights
Chagas disease is a parasitic disease endemic to Latin America, but it has become a disease of global concern due to migration flows
Community-based interventions are a good strategy for diagnosing neglected diseases such as Chagas disease in non-endemic countries and for identifying and treating infected, asymptomatic individuals
Participant characteristics are summarized in Prevalence and factors related of Chagas disease No cases of Chagas disease were detected in participants under 18 years of age, while 54 of the 496 adults were positive for T. cruzi infection
Summary
Chagas disease is a parasitic disease endemic to Latin America, but it has become a disease of global concern due to migration flows. American trypanosomiasis, is a systemic chronic parasitic infection caused by the protozoa Trypanosoma cruzi, considered a neglected tropical disease [1]. Chagas disease is endemic in 21 continental Latin American countries, where vectorial transmission is the main route of contagion [2]. The classic setting for Chagas disease is rural Latin American areas, such as Bolivia, Colombia, Argentina, or Mexico, where an estimated 6 to 7 million people have Chagas disease and another 70 million are at risk of infection [4]. Up to 70% of infected individuals remain asymptomatic, but they have the parasite and can transmit it through blood transfusions or pregnancy; in non-endemic countries, these are the most frequent transmission routes. Complications derived from the disease lead to about 12 000 deaths each year [5]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
