In Argentina, Chagas disease affects more than 1.6 million people, and 7 million are at risk of contracting it. Santiago del Estero is one of the provinces with the highest prevalence due to a combination of socio-environmental factors that foster coexistence between people and the vinchuca, the insect that transmits the parasite causing the disease. To contribute to the interruption of Chagas transmission by this vector, since 2005 we have implemented a vector surveillance and control program through the improvement of rural housing, which addresses the Chagas issue in a comprehensive and innovative manner.
The work begins with the identification of each community’s specific needs through a process that includes assessments of the presence of vinchucas and a study of the social and demographic characteristics and conditions of the population. Once this data is collected, each visited household is recorded using GPS, and all information is uploaded to a system developed specifically for this project. Actions are then carried out based on three main areas: periodic surveillance of the insect’s presence, control through structural improvements to homes, and access to diagnosis and treatment for those affected by Chagas.
Housing interventions focus on plastering walls with local materials, waterproofing roofs to prevent water infiltration, and whitewashing walls with lime to help detect insect droppings. At the community’s request and due to the need for water during the construction process, cisterns are also built for safe water storage, and latrines are constructed with toilets, sinks, roofs, plaster, and flooring to improve overall sanitary conditions. Additionally, animal pens are relocated and rebuilt using materials and techniques adapted to local customs, and education is provided on the importance of keeping animals away from domestic areas to reduce vector contact. These improvements are carried out with members of each household, previously trained through hands-on workshops, involving them in the entire process and significantly and sustainably transforming their quality of life.
Once vector control is ensured, a doctor and a nurse collect blood samples from all residents, analyse them, and deliver the results. They also conduct general medical check-ups, and for individuals with Chagas disease, the necessary support is provided so they can undergo additional tests and access treatment.
The program has currently achieved its originally proposed goal, reducing in-home infestation rates from 40% at the project’s start to less than 1%. The training workshops have enabled residents to learn trades that translate into new sources of employment and income. Collaborative participation has strengthened community ties and empowered participants to drive positive changes toward greater prosperity. Additionally, the program’s impact has extended beyond the initially targeted settlements, with improvements often seen in neighbouring areas by locals who “imitate” the interventions implemented by our program.
With more than 500 homes improved and 150 people trained, the experience gained in Añatuya has prepared us to expand our efforts to other endemic areas, demonstrating the program’s scalability and adaptability to different contexts.