Research and training on the Chagas vector at the Comprehensive Center for Research and Training in Vector-borne Diseases at the Alegría community, Sucre

This project is aimed at consolidating research and training processes for the Chagas vector at the Integral Center for Research and Training in Vector-Borne Diseases in the municipality of Sucre, Bolivia.

CONTEXT

Sociodemographic data:

The Department of Chuquisaca is the second department with extreme poverty after Potosí, it is estimated that 33% of the population lives with Chagas disease (according to data from the Health Information System -SNIS):

- 33% of the adult population has Chagas disease.

- 40% of pregnant women have Chagas.

- On average 3 out of every 100 live births have congenital Chagas.

- In minors from 1 to 14 years old, 10.4% have Chagas disease.

- The presence of the vinchuca in homes reaches an average of 1.8%.In the case of the intervention area, according to data from the Health Information System (SNIS) 2018, the situation is as follows:

- 40% of pregnant women have Chagas disease.

- Between 63% of the adult population in districts 6 and 7 have Chagas disease.

- 2.3% of the houses are infected by the vector that transmits Chagas disease.

- 8.5% of children under 15 have Chagas disease.

Socio-political and health situation:

The fight against Chagas disease in Bolivia is a priority problem within Bolivian policies as of Law No. 3374 promulgated on March 23, 2006, which declares prevention of Chagas disease a national priority. Through this law, the integral and intersectoral participation of all actors is regulated to develop joint actions to implement vector control of Chagas disease, the care of the Chagas patient in a comprehensive manner, and information, education and communication for prevention. For the implementation of this Law, the National Program to Fight Chagas (PNCH) was created. The project represents a viable alternative to translate into concrete actions prioritized by the Plurinational State of Bolivia in the fight against Chagas, because it assumes the general guidelines of the National Program to Fight Chagas and develops viable strategies to implement them, such as research and Chagas disease training.

PROJECT

General objective:

Contribute to the strengthening of the national health system, to reduce the incidence of Chagas disease, through the strengthening of the research, diagnosis and training processes of Human Resources (HR) at the departmental health system.

Specific goal:

Consolidation of research and training processes for the Chagas vector in the Center Comprehensive vector-borne disease research and training in districts 6 and 7 of the municipality of Sucre.

Summary of the project activities:

- Complementation of specialized entomological equipment and furniture for the Integral Center for Research and Training in Vector-Borne Diseases.

- Expansion and / or improvement of two environments: one for biological storage and the other for training or education as part of the strengthening strategy.

- Elaboration of a training plan for two short courses within the framework of permanent training for 35 health workers, certifying with a technical level of curriculum by the Plurinational Educational System, aimed at health personnel and / or public officials of the endemic municipalities of the Chagas.

- Printing of promotional materials and dissemination of new prevention strategies to fight Chagas.

- Holding workshops for the socialization of experiences of the staff of the Integral Center for Research and Training in Vector-Borne Diseases in specialized laboratories.

- Implementation of a communicational strategy for positioning the Integral Center for Research and Training in Vector-Borne Diseases.- Carrying out research processes in relation to the diagnosis and treatment of children under 15 years of age and women of childbearing age with serological controls in districts 6 and 7 of the municipality of Sucre.

- Generation of spaces for the exchange of knowledge through a Conference with experts in the city of Sucre on Chagas disease and the carrying out of a Systematization of the experience carried out at the Comprehensive Center for Research and Training in Vector-Borne Diseases.

Expected results:

1. Complementation of the infrastructure and equipment of the Integral Center for Research and Training in Vector-Borne Diseases for its operation.

2. Development of a training plan through the Chagas vector research processes from the Integral Center for Research and Training in Vector-Borne Diseases as a validated strategy.

3. Implementation of an information, education and communication strategy aimed at behavior change through strategies generated at the Comprehensive Center for Research and Training in Vector-Borne Diseases for the fight against Chagas disease.

BENEFICIARIES

Direct beneficiaries:

The direct beneficiaries in rural districts 6 and 7 of the municipality of Sucre are 2,412 families. A total of 6,660 inhabitants (3,346 women and 3,314 men). The population from 1 to 15 years old are: 3,173 (1,553 men and 1,620 women).

Indirect beneficiaries:

No. of indirect beneficiaries: 2,776 Of which, number of women: 1,326 Of which, number of men: 1,450Indirect beneficiaries include health personnel and municipal public servants who work throughout the Chagas endemic area in the Department of Chuquisaca, such as the Health Network I urban Sucre, Health Network II Tarabuco, Health Network Ill Zudanez, Health Network IV Azurduy and Health Network V Monteagudo, Health Network VI Camargo.