The importance of epidemiological surveillance in combating Chagas Disease: an integrative review

Abstract

Objective: To review original works with national coverage of epidemiological sampling in order to discuss the epidemiological profile of Chagas Disease across the country over the years, to relate epidemiology with disease control and address the needs and gap of epidemiological studies. Methods: This is an integrative review article, searching for original articles from 2016 to 2021 in the Scielo, Pubmed, Lilacs databases, using the descriptors “Doença de Chagas”, “Chagas Disease”, “Incidence Chagas disease” e “Mortality Chagas disease” Results: 128 articles were identified for title and abstract reading, only 42 were selected and read in full and 16 original articles were selected that fit within the search methodology for this integrative review. It was observed that most of the current studies use analytical techniques and geoprocessing from secondary data such as the Information System for Diseases and Notifications (SINAN). It was also noted that the country has a weak epidemiological surveillance system. Final considerations: The research in this integrative review article indicate the need for studies with epidemiological sampling at a national level, due to the few original works found.