Epidemiological evaluation of Chagas disease in a rural area of southern Bolivia.
We evaluated the prevalence of Chagas disease using a rapid screening test (Chagas Stat-Pak), confirmed by ELISA, in Caraparí, a village of 9000 inhabitants in southern Bolivian Chaco. The prevalence of Trypanosoma cruzi was estimated in a sample of 995 people. The prevalence adjusted on age was 51.2% and was proportionally related to age. We also observed a very significant cline from the south to the north of the locality, where the prevalence ranged from 40 to 80%. In children younger than 11 years, the prevalence was 21.5%, which confirmed the importance of residual vector transmission despite several years of vector control. Among women of procreation age, the prevalence was 63.9%, resulting in a high risk of congenital transmission. The control of the disease requires an increase in vector control and improvement of dwellings before considering children's treatment with trypanocide.
Chippaux
Jean-Philippe
JP
IRD UR010, Team Mother's and Child's Health in Tropical Environment, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, CP 9214, La Paz, Bolivia. chippaux@ird.fr
Postigo
Jorge R
JR
Santalla
José A
JA
Schneider
Dominique
D
Brutus
Laurent
L
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000818:Animals; D001838:Bolivia / Q000453:epidemiology; D014355:Chagas Disease / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012423:Rural Health; D014349:Trypanosoma cruzi / Q000302:isolation & purification*