Objective: Improve distribution of etiological treatment of Chagas disease by identifying barriers to the decentralization of treatment to the first level of care in Argentina.
Methods: A qualitative, exploratory, and descriptive study was conducted using semi-structured interviews of key actors belonging to the National Chagas Program and members of health teams at the first level of care, for the purpose of identifying barriers to diagnosis and treatment of Chagas disease at different levels (administrative, health agents, and community) that could affect a decentralized distribution strategy. Additionally, pilot decentralization was instituted in 10 primary health care centers in an Argentine province.
Results: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 22 program heads and health professionals. Principal obstacles found were lack of systematic case-finding, poor coordination among levels of care and health system actors, lack of health team training on treatment, patient monitoring, and patient-related barriers. A pilot decentralization program was carried out and strategies were evaluated to optimize large-scale intervention.
Conclusions: The results made it possible to improve implementation of the plan to decentralize treatment through better inter-program coordination, capitalization on existing monitoring and communication tools, and sensitization of health teams. Furthermore, recommendations were developed to improve diagnosis and treatment of Chagas disease.