Diagnostic and Treatment management of the Chagas disease at the Comapa Chagas Clinic (Jutiapa Department)

The general objective of the project is to decrease the incidence and prevalence of the Chagas disease in Comapa municipality.

Specific objectives:

1. To carry out screening tests in those the places which have a high index of colonisation by de the bug and serologic confirmation. The test used was the quick on that was already authorised by Chagas Sub-programme of the MSPAS (Ministry of Public Health and Social Attention).
2. Those cases confirmed with Chagas disease received a clinic evaluation,
3. Treatment and follow-up.
4. When pregnant women were positive there was an active search of the babies already born to prevent a vertical transmission.

There is a Chagas Clinic in Comapa and this is the reference place for any Chagas patient. It is attended by a professional nurse, with medical support, who carry out a total evaluation of the patients with a very good quality of the attention.

The activities are

1. screenings with the quick diagnostic in small villages and hamlets, already being identified by the epidemiological & vectors team of Jutiapa  DRISS (Department Direction of Integrated networks off Social Services, actual name of Health Area) as risky because they have a high index of bug infestation/colonisation, acute cases, and so on. At the same time, serologic controls and blood samples are taken on those positive. These cases
2. are sent to the Chagas Clinic for an intitial clinic evaluation,
3. treatment given by the nurse with a periodic follow-up, to be sure of the adherence to it and to know about secondary effects and treat them, if necessary.
4. Pregnant women positive are identified and babies until one year looked for and other brodhers an sisters, to prevent the vertical transmission. A blood sample is taken.

Whe hope be able

1. to identify by the screening and serologic confirmation
2. those persons with Chagas disease. To make an early diagnosis and
3. begin the treatment and to continue with a periodic follow-up.
4. To control the vertical transmission.