Estudo epidemiológico da doença de chagas em Umbaúba, Sul do estado de Sergipe, Brasil

Abstract

Introduction: Chagas' disease is an infection with high morbidity and mortality, which prevalents in Latin America and It is considered neglected by the World Health Organization. In Brazil, the real prevalence of infection is not yet known due to a lack of study in several areas of the country, for example Sergipe. This study evaluated the frequency of Trypanosoma cruzi infection in the southern state of Sergipe. Methodology: It is a descriptive, cross-sectional study carried out in twelve settlements in Umbaúba, municipality of Sergipe. The population sample was 617 people, who were submitted to serological tests and a questionnaire. Results: The infection rate was 12.1% (75 infected). Among the seropositive subjects, the average age was 55 years (± 11 years old, p <0.0001), 62.6% were female, the majority were farmers (78.6%), with incomplete first degree (61.3 %, p <0.0001). Age, educational level and contact with triatomines were statistically different from seronegatives. Conclusion: there was a high frequency of infection in the region, with sociodemographic characteristics similar to other national studies.