title: Risk factors for intradomiciliary infestation by the Chagas disease vector Triatoma dimidiatain Jutiapa, Guatemala.
abstract: Seventeen variables were evaluated as possible risk factors for the intradomiciliary infestation with Triatoma dimidiata in 644 houses in Jutiapa, Guatemala. During 2004 the houses were assessed for vector presence and evaluated for hygiene, cluttering, material comfort, construction conditions and number of inhabitants, among other factors. Chi-square analysis detected significant associations between vector presence and eight variables related to domestic sanitary and construction conditions. Log-linear models showed that regardless of the age of the house, the odds of vector presence were 4.3 and 10 times lower in houses with a good socioeconomic status compared with poor and very poor houses respectively. Log-linear models also pointed to a greater chance of vector presence when walls lacked plastering (3.85 times) or walls had low quality-incomplete plastering (4.56 times), compared with walls that were completely plastered. Control strategies against T. dimidiata should include the introduction of better-quality but inexpensive plastering formulations and better sanitation practices should also be promoted among the population. Such control strategies should not only reduce or eliminate infestation, but also prevent vector reinfestation.
authors.affiliation: Facultad de Ciencias Químicas y Farmacia, Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala, Ciudad de Guatemala, Guatemala.
authors.forename: Dulce Maria
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Bustamante
authors.forename: Carlota
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Monroy
authors.forename: Sandy
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pineda
authors.forename: Antonieta
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rodas
authors.forename: Xochitl
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Castro
authors.forename: Virgilio
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ayala
authors.forename: Javier
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Quiñónes
authors.forename: Bárbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Moguel
authors.forename: Ranferi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Trampe
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D014355:Chagas Disease / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D006166:Guatemala / Q000453:epidemiology; D006798:Housing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007300:Insect Control; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000254:growth & development*; D011203:Poverty; D012307:Risk Factors; D012499:Sanitation; D013045:Species Specificity; D014224:Triatoma / Q000254:growth & development*