02618nas a2200265 4500000000100000008004100001260004400042653002400086100002000110700001500130700001200145700001300157700002100170700001300191700001500204700001500219700001500234700002100249700001400270245013100284856008600415490000700501520183000508022001402338 2023 d bSpringer Science and Business Media LLC10aInfectious Diseases1 aGómez I Prat J1 aGregori MS1 aGuiu IC1 aChoque E1 aFlores-Chavez MD1 aMolina I1 aZarzuela F1 aSulleiro E1 aDehousse A1 aAlbajar-Viñas P1 aOuaarab H00aCommunity-based actions in consulates: a new paradigm for opportunities for systematic integration in Chagas disease detection uhttps://bmcinfectdis.biomedcentral.com/counter/pdf/10.1186/s12879-023-08844-2.pdf0 v233 a

Research has shown that multidimensional approaches to Chagas disease (CD), integrating its biomedical and psycho-socio-cultural components, are successful in enhancing early access to diagnosis, treatment and sustainable follow-up.For the first time, a consulate was selected for a community-based CD detection campaign. Two different strategies were designed, implemented and compared between 2021 and 2022 at the Consulate General of Bolivia and a reference health facility in Barcelona open to all Bolivians in Catalonia.Strategy 1 consisted in CD awareness-raising activities before referring those interested to the reference facility for infectious disease screening. Strategy 2 offered additional in-situ serological CD screening. Most of the 307 participants were Bolivian women residents in Barcelona. In strategy 1, 73 people (35.8% of those who were offered the test) were screened and 19.2% of them were diagnosed with CD. Additionally, 53,4% completed their vaccination schedules and 28.8% were treated for other parasitic infections (strongyloidiasis, giardiasis, eosinophilia, syphilis). In strategy 2, 103 people were screened in-situ (100% of those who were offered the test) and 13.5% received a CD diagnosis. 21,4% completed their vaccination schedule at the reference health facility and 2,9% were referred for iron deficiency anemia, strongyloidiasis or chronic hepatitis C.The fact that the screening took place in an official workplace of representatives of their own country, together with the presence of community-based participants fueled trust and increased CD understanding. Each of the strategies assessed had different benefits. Opportunities for systematic integration for CD based on community action in consulates may enhance early access to diagnosis, care and disease prevention.

 a1471-2334