The role of the first level of health care in the approach to Chagas disease in a non-endemic country.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:Chagas disease has crossed South America's borders and in recent years has spread to regions that were not previously affected. Early diagnosis and treatment of Chagas disease improves the clinical prognosis and prevents vertical transmission. Taking into account the lack of evidence of how primary care services manage Chagas disease in a non-endemic country, this study assessed Chagas disease knowledge, attitudes and practices among primary health care professionals. METHODS AND PRINCIPAL FINDINGS:Between 2017 and 2019, eight focus groups were formed with 41 family physicians and 40 nurses from healthcare centers in Madrid, Spain, and 70 field notes were collected during non-participant observation. The family physicians and nurses showed a lack of general knowledge about Chaga

SUBMITTER: Iglesias-Rus L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6913928 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature