Survey of obstetrician-gynecologists in the United States about Chagas disease

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2010 Oct;83(4):891-5. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.2010.09-0543.

Abstract

Chagas disease affects an estimated 300,000 people in the United States, and as many as 300 congenital infections are estimated to occur annually. The level of knowledge about Chagas disease among obstetricians-gynecologists in the United States has not been assessed. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists surveyed a representative sample of 1,000 members about Chagas disease. Among 421 respondents, 68.2% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 63.5-72.6) described their knowledge level about Chagas disease as "very limited." Only 8.8% (95% CI = 6.2-12.0) knew the risk of congenital infection, and 7.4% (95% CI = 5.1-10.4) were aware that both acute and chronic maternal infections can lead to congenital transmission. The majority of respondents (77.9%; 95% CI = 73.5-81.9) reported "never" considering a diagnosis of Chagas disease among their patients from endemic countries. Most of those who did consider the diagnosis did so "rarely." Knowledge of Chagas disease among obstetricians-gynecologists in the United States is limited. Greater awareness may help to detect treatable congenital Chagas cases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Central America / ethnology
  • Chagas Disease / diagnosis*
  • Chagas Disease / epidemiology
  • Chagas Disease / prevention & control
  • Female
  • Gynecology / education
  • Humans
  • Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical / prevention & control
  • Male
  • Mexico / ethnology
  • Obstetrics / education
  • Physicians
  • Practice Patterns, Physicians'
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic / diagnosis*
  • Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic / epidemiology
  • Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic / prevention & control
  • South America / ethnology
  • United States / epidemiology