AUTHOR=Wirth Margit , Gálvez Rosa Isela , Jochum Johannes , Strauss Ricardo , Kristensen Kaja , Stich August , Stegemann Miriam , Stahl Philipp , Puchner Karl Philipp , Strasen Jörn , Parisi Sandra , Braasch Trixi , Bender Marion , Hörning Anna , Hanke Monika , Störk Stefan , Jacobs Thomas , Pritsch Michael , Zoller Thomas 

TITLE=Knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, and serological status related to Chagas disease among Latin American migrants in Germany: A cross-sectional study in six German cities

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology

VOLUME=Volume 12 - 2022

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/cellular-and-infection-microbiology/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2022.1047281

DOI=10.3389/fcimb.2022.1047281

ISSN=2235-2988

ABSTRACT=Background: Little is known about knowledge, attitudes and behaviors concerning Chagas disease (CD) in Latin American migrants in Germany to inform public health decision-making. 
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among Latin American migrants in six cities in Germany to obtain information on migration history, socioeconomic and insurance status, knowledge about CD, potential risk factors for Trypanosoma cruzi infection, and willingness to donate blood or organs with a questionnaire. Participants were offered serological testing for infection with T. cruzi and counseling on CD. 
Results: 168 participants completed the questionnaire. Before migrating to Europe, the majority of the study population resided in an urban setting in houses made of stone or concrete, had higher academic education and was integrated into the German healthcare and healthcare insurance system. Willingness to donate blood and organs was high, and a quarter of participants had donated blood previously. However, many participants lacked basic knowledge about symptoms and modes of transmission of Chagas disease. One out of 56 serologic tests performed was positive (seroprevalence 1.8%). The seropositive female participant born in Argentina had a negative PCR test and no signs of cardiac or other organ involvement. 
Conclusions: The study population does not reflect the population structure at risk for T. cruzi infection in endemic countries. Most participants had a low risk profile for infection with T. cruzi. Although the sample size was small and sampling was not representative of all persons at risk in Germany, the seroprevalence found was similar to studies previously conducted in Europe. As no systematic screening for T. cruzi in Latin American blood and organ donors  as well as in women of child-bearing age of Latin American origin is implemented in Germany, a risk of occasional transmission of T. cruzi remains.