Clinical management of Chagas disease in primary health care in an endemic area in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil

Abstract

Objective: To describe the clinical management of Chagas disease (CD) by Primary Health Care physicians in an endemic region. Methodology: A cross-sectional websurvey study with physicians working in PHC in 23 endemic municipalities in Minas Gerais. The collection included Demographic issues, Academic Training, Characteristics of APS in Action, Practices Relating to CD and Knowledge Relating to CD. Descriptive and bivariate analyzes were carried out according to the time of graduation. Results: 136 physicians participated in this study. Most mentioned having seen more than 10 cases of chronic CD in the last year, did not prescribe the antitrypanosomal drug (Benzonidazole), reported difficulty in referring patients with CD to a specialized service, said they knew the Clinical Protocol and Therapeutic Guideline for CD, but if feel insecure in the management of patients with chronic CD. Conclusion: Important obstacles still persist in the care and follow-up by the medical professional to the patient with CD in PHC.