Abstract

ARROM, C et al. Behaviors that favor the reinfestation by Triatoma infestans in the Paraguayan Chaco. Mem. Inst. Investig. Cienc. Salud [online]. 2013, vol.11, n.2, pp.7-15. ISSN 1812-9528.

The central Paraguayan Chaco is a region with a high level of reinfestation by Triatoma infestans. The indigenous population living there is highly vulnerable due to cultural and environmental factors that difficult the access and work in the zone. This study proposed to know the psycho-social factors associated with the reinfestation process to develop community surveillance tasks. It is a cross-sectional study with qualitative and quantitative approaches. Thirty six point seven percent (96) of the study population improved their dwellings and 41.6 % (40) improved the wall plaster. The population locates the vector in the forest, among firewoods, dry leaves, tree holes, and in mole or armadillo holes, around domestic animals, dwelling roofs, chicken coops, goat corrals, and pigsties. Factors compromising the passive transportation of bugs: firewood collection 98.5% (266), firewood collection from the forest 97.7% (261), location change of clothes, boxes and food in the dwellings 54.7 % (146). Improved dwellings with plaster was associated with absence of infestation (p<0.0005), animals inside dwellings and infestation (p<0.03), positive attitude to eliminate the vector and absence of infestation (p< 0.04). Behaviors that compromise transportation and permanence of bugs were firewood transportation, food storage and clothes and boxes accumulation. Plastered walls and presence of domestic animals were correlated to infestation and positive attitude to eliminate the bugs with non-infested dwellings. All these are strategic factors for prevention and surveillance tasks with community participation.

Keywords : Chagas; reinfestation; indigenous population; psycho-social factors.

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