Chagas prevalence in Bolivian children. Results from BOLKID study, 2010

Abstract

Background: Bolivian migration is increasing to Europe, mainly to Spain, and Chagas disease is of concern. However Chagas treatment is mainly effective in childhood so we undertook a study to assess seroprevalence of Chagas disease in 5 to 16 years old Bolivian children from the Cochabamba region. Methods: A population-based cross-sectional survey (n = 441) was undertaken in 2010. A parental-administered questionnaire about socio-demographic information was gathered and a blood sample obtained from each participant with parental informed consent. Chagas disease prevalence was estimated as well as their 95% confidence intervals. A descriptive and bivariate analysis using Student T test or Mann-Withney U test to according to normality distribution and Chi-squared test or Fisher exact test when needed, were performed. Results: The global prevalence of Chagas disease was 3.63% (CI95% 1.88-5.38) being statistically higher in male (p = 0.031), lower socioeconomic status studied by mother's education (p = 0.030) and children living in adobe houses (p = 0.014), without differences by living area (urban or rural), neither presence of farmyard or according to ethnic groups (p>0.05). Conclusion: This study identifies a lower prevalence of Chagas than previously estimated and reported. However Chagas disease is still a public health concern, so some preventive measures in a short period of time should be taken in young Bolivian population were treatment could be cost-effective.