The Impact of Environmental and Housing Factors on the Distribution of Triatominae (Hemiptera, Reduviidae) in an Endemic Area of Chagas Disease in Puebla, Mexico.

Abstract

Background: Chagas disease (CD), a Neglected Tropical Disease caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, affects millions of people in Latin America and the southern US and spreads worldwide. CD results from close interactions between humans, animals, and vectors, influenced by sociodemographic factors and housing materials.

Methods: This study aimed to evaluate how these factors, along with seasonal changes, affect the distribution of CD vectors in an endemic community near Puebla, Mexico, using a cross-sectional survey. A total of 383 people from this area, known for the presence of major vectors such as Triatoma barberi and Triatoma pallidipennis, were surveyed.

Results: As a result of the survey, it was found that only 27.4% of respondents knew about CD, and 83.3% owned potential reservoir pets; additionally, the quality of the wall, roof, and floor significantly influenced vector sightings, while the seasonal pattern showed less of an association. Chi-square tests confirmed these associations between vector sightings and housing materials (p < 0.001); vector sightings versus seasonal patterns showed less of an association (p = 0.04), and land use changes did not show an association (p = 0.27).

Conclusions: Construction materials play an important role in the sighting of triatomines in homes, so important actions should be taken to improve homes. However, further experimental or longitudinal studies are needed to establish causality.