INTRODUCTION: Chagas' disease is a parasitic disease caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi. This condition presents epidemiological risk factors associated with socioeconomic conditions and is currently considered an important public health problem. Its presence has been reported in endemic regions at elevations of up to 2,000 meters above sea level. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of anti-T. cruzi antibodies and the possible risk factors associated with this condition in women of childbearing age from the town of Socotá, Boyacá. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An observational, descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in a population of women of childbearing age from Socotá, Boyacá. The samples were analyzed by Chagas ELISA IgG and IgM test and indirect hemagglutination test. A univariate analysis and statistical association of variables were performed. RESULTS: A confirmed prevalence of 2/138 (1.4%) was found in this town. Having pets or a history of contact with vectors were possible associated risk factors although without statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: From the results obtained in the present study, it is suggested that more active research be carried out for cases of Chagas' disease in non-endemic areas in Colombia that present risk factors for acquiring the disease, even when the environmental conditions and elevation differ from those described in the literature.
INTRODUCTION:Chagas' disease is a parasitic disease caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi. This condition presents epidemiological risk factors associated with socioeconomic conditions and is currently considered an important public health problem. Its presence has been reported in endemic regions at elevations of up to 2,000 meters above sea level. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of anti-T. cruzi antibodies and the possible risk factors associated with this condition in women of childbearing age from the town of Socotá, Boyacá. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An observational, descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in a population of women of childbearing age from Socotá, Boyacá. The samples were analyzed by Chagas ELISA IgG and IgM test and indirect hemagglutination test. A univariate analysis and statistical association of variables were performed. RESULTS: A confirmed prevalence of 2/138 (1.4%) was found in this town. Having pets or a history of contact with vectors were possible associated risk factors although without statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: From the results obtained in the present study, it is suggested that more active research be carried out for cases of Chagas' disease in non-endemic areas in Colombia that present risk factors for acquiring the disease, even when the environmental conditions and elevation differ from those described in the literature.