Ponce de Leon 1

Alondra Ponce de Leon

Professor Galvez
Biology 1615
2 November 2014
Scientific Paper Summary
Introduction
Chagas disease in an unknown disease in the United States, it has been increasing in the
country and has been traced back to its source of origin in various Latin American countries. In
this experiment 2, 677 immigrants living in Los Angeles were surveyed, ranging in ages 18-60.
All of which had resided in Latin America for at least 6 months. The purpose of this experiment
is to raise awareness of said disease to immigrants living in the Los Angeles County who come
from Latin American countries where Chagas disease is endemic. They predict that the
awareness of Chagas disease would be rather low.
Materials and Methods
For this experiment they gathered various immigrant participants living in Los Angeles
that varied in gender, age, and origin of Latin American country. However the experiment had its
limitation with being seen as biased since most of its participants came from local churches and
community health centers where it has been shown that more females attend these locations
rather than men. That being said they were gathered to fill out a questionnaire that focused on
medical and sociodemographic information and the knowledge of Chagas disease. They were
asked personal questions such as, their education, country of birth, and home structure. Then

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began questions upon the acknowledgment of the triatomine insect (common insect in many
Latin American countries) and if they have ever been bitten. They were also shown a picture of
the insect as well. Finally they were asked of the Chagas disease and of how informed they were
about it.
Results
Indicated by the results it was shown that the majority (90%) come from Mexico,
Guatemala, or El Salvador. 69% coming from Mexico. The majority (79%) lived in well
conditioned homes that consisted of walls, adobe bricks, and a roof. Most participants were over
40 years of age, female, and had less than a high school education. More than 60% have seen the
triatomine insect, which indicates the lead to the cause of the spread of the disease and 25%
recall getting bit by the insect. 86% of the participants had never heard of Chagas disease and
81% saw it as a non-serious disease, which can be explained by their lack of education. Although
their knowledge of the disease was not the case, for the Chagas disease could lead to serious
dangerous cardiac manifestations such as, heart failure, ventricular tachycardia, and even death.
Discussion
Luckily regardless of the unawareness of the Chagas disease 95% agree in wanting to be
test of said disease. Even as unrecognized and underappreciated this disease may be to the
general population it was shocking to uncover that 28 health care professionals enrolled into
focus groups about the Chagas disease had also not heard of this disease. In conclusion there is a
lack of knowledge concerning the Chagas disease and a large need for an educational outreach in
the United States, as well as Latin American countries.

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Bibliography
Sanchez, Daniel R. "Chagas Disease Awareness among Latin American Immigratns
Living in Los Angeles, California." American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. N.p., 8
Sept. 2014. Web. 13 Sept. 2014.