Epidemiology of Chagas disease: high mortality and incidence rate, Coquimbo Region

Abstract

Background: Chagas disease in Chile has increased in research, especially in pregnant women and donors in general, but remains neglected in Latin America. The environmental epidemiology of the vector points out the Coquimbo region is a greatest risk area. Aim: To analyze the time series of mortality and incidence rate Chagas disease national; regional and communal according to age. Method: Population- based study, time series of mortality (1997 to 2017) and incidence rate (2011 to 2017), country, region and 15 communes. Use of gross and adjusted rates, calculating ch2, T test, ANOVA, p value < 0.05. Results: Mortality; 49.37% (668) of the National deaths (1353) were Coquimbo region’s residents, mainly male patients and over 60 years old people with cardiac and digestive complications, residents from Salamanca, Combarbalá and Illapel. Incidence: Of 6.173 accumulated cases, 6% are under 20 years old, higher incidence of women (61.4%) with an average age of 50 years old versus 56 years old men (T test = 29.19 p-value = 0.000), residents from Ovalle, Andacollo, Monte Patria and Illapel. Conclusions: Half of Chagas’ disease deaths reside in the Coquimbo region, new cases, under 20 years old, are 6%.