Seroprevalence of Trypanosoma cruzi in a population of pregnant women and evaluation of their knowledge about Chagas Disease and its vectors

Abstract

This study aimed at determining prevalence of anti-Trypanosoma cruzi antibodies in pregnant women in the extreme south of Brazil and at evaluating their knowledge about Chagas Disease (CD) and its vectors. The study was carried out in Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul (RS) state, Brazil. The Chemiluminescent Microparticle Immunoassay (CMIA) was used for the triage and, when it was reagent, results were confirmed by the Indirect Immunofluorescence Assay (IFA). A semi-structured questionnaire was applied to evaluate patients’ knowledge. The Chi-squared test was used for evaluating correlations among variables under study while an Odds Ratio was conducted when associations were statistically significant. Only 33 (27.7%) out of 119 pregnant women under investigation underwent the serological test to identify T. cruzi because the study was carried out in the worst phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, prevalence was 6.1% (2 cases). Only 26.9% of pregnant women were able to identify triatominae and 66.4% did not know that the heart could be affected by CD. Associations between variables “lived/have lived in a rural area” and “having found ‘kissing bugs’ in the household”; “high schooling level” and “knowing that CD causes heart disorders”; and “stating that they know what CD is” and “identifying triatominae” exhibited statistical significance. Results showed that the rate of positive pregnant women is high and needs attention, even though the size of the sample is a limiting factor. Besides, the patients’ lack of knowledge about the disease and its vectors shows the importance of educational interventions.