Seroprevalence and risk factors of Chagas disease in a rural population of the Quixeré municipality, Ceará, Brazil

Rev Soc Bras Med Trop. 2021 Mar 8:54:e0247-2020. doi: 10.1590/0037-8682-0247-2020. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

Introduction: This study estimated the seroprevalence and risk factors of Chagas disease (CD) in a population of the Quixeré municipality, Ceará.

Methods: We conducted serological methods to detect the Trypanosoma cruzi infection. The other variables were evaluated by a standardized questionnaire.

Results: The estimated prevalence of CD was 3.7%. Male sex, age >40 years, being farmers, low education level, origin from rural areas, and being born in Quixeré were significantly associated with infection.

Conclusion: CD persists in this rural population of Northeast Brazil. Poverty, low education, and limited information regarding CD are critical issues that need to be addressed.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Brazil / epidemiology
  • Chagas Disease* / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Prevalence
  • Risk Factors
  • Rural Population
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • Trypanosoma cruzi*