Prevalence, knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding Chagas disease in Guanare, Venezuela: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND

Chagas disease (CD) is endemic in 21 Latin American countries, placing approximately 75 million people at risk of infection. In Venezuela, CD has been recognized since 1919, with seroprevalence estimates reaching up to 45% between 1958 and 1968. However, current data on the epidemiology of CD in Venezuela are limited.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional study in September 2023 in Guanare municipality, located in northwestern Portuguesa state. Seroprevalence was determined by detecting anti-Trypanosoma cruzi IgG antibodies and assessing specific-IgG avidity enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Additionally, we evaluated knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAPs) regarding CD in the region.

RESULTS

A total of 388 participants were enrolled, with a mean age of 29 (standard deviation [SD] = 21) years; 67% (n = 260) were female. Seven individuals, aged between 62 and 75 years, tested positive for T. cruzi, yielding an estimated seroprevalence of 2%. Among these ELISA-confirmed cases, the majority were men (71%, n = 5) with a mean age of 67 (SD = 5) years. Their occupations included construction work (42%, n = 3), farming (29%, n = 2), and housekeeping (29%, n = 2). In the KAP survey, 28% of respondents reported having a family member with CD, and 39% recalled observing the insect vector in their homes. Notably, 83% were aware that CD is transmitted by an insect vector. Although over 70% expressed positive attitudes toward educational initiatives and indicated willingness to collaborate with health services for prompt diagnosis and vector elimination, more than 80% reported inadequate vector control practices.

CONCLUSIONS

The seroprevalence of CD in the Guanare population was 2%, with all positive cases occurring in individuals over 60 years of age, suggesting an absence of active transmission in the area. While community knowledge and attitudes regarding CD were generally favorable, vector control practices were suboptimal. Future studies employing probabilistic sampling across various regions of the state are needed to further elucidate the epidemiology of CD in Venezuela.