Programa ACHEI: Atenção ao Chagásico com Educação Integral no Município de Maringá e Região Noroeste do Paraná, Brasil

Abstract

This study analyzes 131 chagasic patients from different endemic areas that came to the Chagas' disease laboratory at the Maringa State University. The subjects discovered they were infected principally because they presented symptoms (58%) or donated blood (29.4%). During etiologic treatment for Trypanosoma cruzi, 45.2% of benznidazole users complained of side effects. Based on these data, the ACHEI program (Chagas' Disease Awareness through Comprehensive Education) was developed, which is a multiprofessional/interdisciplinary extension project. Monthly meetings are held that are divided into two parts: The first half of the meetings provide specific information, including the distribution of brochures explaining Chagas' disease transmission, symptoms and treatment. The second half of the meetings focuses on psycho-social assistance and includes topics such as self-esteem and personal responsibility. The meetings provide an environment for chagasic patients to share their concerns regarding post-diagnosis quality of life, fear, anxiety, stigma and family and social group relationships. In short, the meetings offer an opportunity for patients to reflect on their situation and to discover ways to deal with their disease.

Accidental infection by Trypanosoma cruzi follow-up by the polymerase chain reaction: case report

“…The conduct, the follow-up procedure, and the demonstration of negativity positively impacted the patient's behavior, emotional state, and continuity of life. This outcome fully meets the aims of the LDC, which is to improve the care of patients infected with T. cruzi 1,12 .…”

Neuronal changes caused by Trypanosoma cruzi: an experimental model

“…The Laboratório de Doença de Chagas da Universidade Estadual de Maringá (LDCh/UEM) has the purpose of improving the assistance to patients infected with T. cruzi (Araújo et al 2000). It has been investing on basic and applied researching, as well as evaluating classic and alternative interventions (Aleixo et al 2008, D'Arce Mota et al 2008, Schebeleski-Soares et al 2009).…”

Triatomine infestation and vector-borne transmission of Chagas disease in northwest and central Paraná, Brazil

“…Ten subjects 15 years or older were seropositive for T. cruzi, and they had the results confirmed in the test conducted in serum. These patients were referred to the Health Service for diagnostic confirmation and to the ACHEI Program for psychosocial support 19 . Nine of the ten seropositive individuals were originally from the State of São Paulo, and one was from the State of Minas Gerais.…”

“…Positive results were later confirmed by IIF in serum derived from a new blood sample collected via venipuncture. Seropositive subjects (titer ≥ 1:40) were referred to the Health Care and Comprehensive Education Program for Chagas Patients (ACHEI) for the Municipality of Maringá and northwest region of Paraná, a follow-up program for Chagas patients run by UEM 19 .…”