title: Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of Texas hunters: a potentially high-risk population for exposure to the parasite that causes Chagas disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chagas disease is a parasitic infection transmitted to humans and mammals by the Triatominae insect. If untreated, Chagas disease can lead to heart failure and death. Previous publications highlighted the potential public health risk of disease transmission among hunters in the United States.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We further investigated this population's risk by administering a knowledge, attitudes, and practices questionnaire. Responses from hunters detailed the vector exposure and hunting practices unique to this population that might lead to their increased risk of disease transmission.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hunters should be aware of their potential risk for exposure to the insect that could be infected with the parasite that causes Chagas disease.
authors.affiliation: Baylor College of Medicine, National School of Tropical Medicine, 1102 Bates Avenue #550, Houston, Texas, 77030, USA. mnolan@bcm.edu.
authors.forename: Melissa N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Garcia
authors.affiliation: University of Texas Health Science Center, School of Public Health, Houston, Texas, 77030, USA. sarah.k.murphy@uth.tmc.edu.
authors.forename: Sarah K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Murphy
authors.affiliation: Baylor College of Medicine, National School of Tropical Medicine, 1102 Bates Avenue #550, Houston, Texas, 77030, USA. awgross45@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gross
authors.affiliation: Lavaca County Wildlife Management Association, Hallettsville, Texas, 77964, USA. wagnersimmentals@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Joel
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wagner
authors.affiliation: Baylor College of Medicine, National School of Tropical Medicine, 1102 Bates Avenue #550, Houston, Texas, 77030, USA. kmurray@bcm.edu.
authors.forename: Kristy O
authors.initials: KO
authors.lastname: Murray
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D014355:Chagas Disease / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission*; D018562:Disease Transmission, Infectious / Q000517:prevention & control; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007303:Insect Vectors; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D018570:Risk Assessment; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013781:Texas