Browsing by Author "Baus Carrera, Esteban Guillermo"
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Abundance, Natural Infection with Trypanosomes, and Food Source of an Endemic Species of Triatomine, Panstrongylus howardi (Neiva 1911), on the Ecuadorian Central Coast(2015) Baus Carrera, Esteban Guillermo; Grijalva Cobo, Mario Javier; Ocaña Mayorga, Sofía Beatriz; Villacis Salazar, Anita Gabriela; Yumiseva Marín, César Alberto; Grijalva Cobo, Mario JavierThe elimination of domestic triatomines is the foundation of Chagas disease control. Regional initiatives are eliminating introduced triatomine species. In this scenario, endemic triatomines can occupy the ecological niches left open and become a threat to long-term Chagas disease control efforts. This study determined the abundance, colonization, and Trypanosoma cruzi infection rate of the endemic Panstrongylus howardi in 10 rural communities located in Ecuador's Manabí Province. In total, 518 individuals of P. howardi were collected. Infestation indices of 1.4% and 6.6% were found in the domestic and peridomestic environments, respectively. We determined a T. cruzi infection rate of 53.2% (N = 47) in this species. P. howardi has a high capacity to adapt to different habitats, especially in the peridomicile. This implies a considerable risk of transmission because of the frequency of intradomicile invasion. Therefore, this species needs to be taken into account in Chagas control and surveillance efforts in the region.Item Metadata only Broadening 'media' for development communication: alternative channels employed in Loja, Ecuador(2019) Baus Carrera, Esteban Guillermo; Baus Carrera, Esteban GuillermoWhen communicators use media and communication to address problems of development, we seek to assess whether those interventions are grounded in current development challenges and in patterns of media use. Additional challenges emerge, however, from patterns in media use between those used by development communication professionals and those that are accessible to communities. Electronic media, such as radio and television, or digital media platforms, including computer-based and mobile technologies, are available in urbanized areas of the global south, but are not accessible to all communities. Our study group has engaged three rural communities located in the mountainous province of Loja, Ecuador for over a decade through development communication efforts. Since these communities experience low access to electronic and digital media, our study group and the communities had to re-think what 'media' means in these communities. Drawing on our experiences of co-creating graffiti walls, songs and plays, we argue that development communicators must be open to channels of media that are neither electronic nor digital, but are accessible to communities in which we work.Item Open Access Comprehensive survey of domiciliary triatomine species capable of transmitting Chagas Disease in southern Ecuador(2015-10-06) Grijalva Cobo, Mario Javier; Villacís Salazar, Anita Gabriela; Yumiseva Marín, César Alberto; Moncayo Benalcázar, Ana Lucía; Baus Carrera, Esteban Guillermo; Ocaña Mayorga, Sofía Beatriz; Grijalva Cobo, Mario JavierChagas disease is a major health problem in Latin America. Its infectious agent, Trypanosoma cruzi, is transmitted mainly by the feces of insects called triatomines. Although great progress has been made in reducing transmission in the countries in the southern cone of South America, limited progress has been made in the Andean countries, partly because of lack of knowledge and partly because of limited resources and technical capability of control efforts. We report the first entomological survey conducted in southern Ecuador to learn the distribution of triatomines, their habitat and microhabitat preferences, and factors that favor their presence. The results of the study show that 9% of households in 92 rural communities harbor well-established triatomine populations. These rural areas in the southern Andean region are among the poorest in the country; most of the population lives in sub-standard housing, under conditions that favor the presence of Chagas disease vectors. These results, combined with recent reports of widespread triatomine infestation of wild animal nests in sylvatic areas throughout the region and frequent reports of reinfestation after control intervention, indicate the need for effective, monitored, and sustained vector control to reduce the high risk of infection to which approximately 100,000 people living in rural areas of southern Ecuador are exposed.Item Open Access Desarrollo endógeno local: creando contextos saludables para la prevención y control de la enfermedad de Chagas en zonas endémicas de la provincia de Loja(PUCE - Quito, 2015) Baus Carrera, Esteban Guillermo; Sierra Freire, Bárbara NataliaLa ubicación geográfica y las condiciones socio-economicas de las comunidades de las zonas rurales de las provincia de Loja del Ecuador favorecen la exposición de sus habitantes a la transmisión vectorial del mal de Chagas, una de las 17 enfermedades desatendidas tropicales o también conocidas como enfermedades de la pobreza. Luego de 110 años transcurridos desde su descubrimiento, aún no se ha desarrollado una vacuna, no existe un método efectivo que detecte oportunamente los casos agudos y el tratamiento es poco efectivo. Además, las campañas de control, basadas en rociamiento de viviendas, son ineficientes debido al corto efecto residual de los insecticidas y a las reinfestaciones de las viviendas por triatominos silvestres. Por estas razones, la prevención constituye la estrategia básica para el control de esta enfermedad. El objetivo de este trabajo fue diseñar un modelo de desarrollo local para controlar la enfermedad de Chagas en las zonas endémicas de la provincia de Loja. En base al análisis social, económico, cultural, político, institucional y ambiental se construyó el modelo caracterizado por la sigueinte estructura : a) el componente central que representa la referencia teórico-conceptual caracterizado por los principios de: trans-sectorialidad, multi-nivel, multienfermedad, endogeneidad, basado en los modos de vida local, retroalimentable y adaptabilidad; b) el componente periférico que contiene a los factores que funcionan como precursores o habilitantes del desarrollo: organización comunitaria, acceso, tamaño y legalización de tierras, acceso a créditos, infraestructura sanitaria y capacitación; c) el componente de gestión que agrupa a todas la intervenciones para lograr el desarrollo requerido, subagrupados en dos sub-componentes: generación de ingresos y construcción de ambientes saludablesItem Metadata only Distribution of triatomine species in domestic and peridomestic environments in central coastal Ecuador(2017) Baus Carrera, Esteban Guillermo; Grijalva Cobo, Mario Javier; Moncayo Benalcázar, Ana Lucía; Ocaña Mayorga, Sofía Beatriz; Villacis Salazar, Anita Gabriela; Yumiseva Marín, César Alberto; Baus Carrera, Esteban GuillermoBackground: Although the central coast of the Ecuador is considered endemic for Chagas disease, few studies have focused on determining the risk of transmission in this region. In this study we describe the triatomine household infestation in Manabí province (Central Coast region), determine the rate of Trypanosoma cruzi infection and study the risk factors associated with infestation by Rhodnius ecuadoriensis. Methodology/principal findings: An entomological survey found three triatomine species (Rhodnius ecuadoriensis, Panstrongylus rufotuberculatus and P. howardi) infesting domiciles in 47.4% of the 78 communities visited (total infestation rate of 4.5%). Four percent of domiciles were infested, and nymphs were observed in 77% of those domiciles. The three species were found in altitudes below 500 masl and in all ecological zones except cloud forest. Within the domicile, we found the three species mostly in bedrooms. Rhodnius ecuadoriensis and P. rufotuberculatus were abundant in bird nests, including chicken coops and P. howardi associated with rats in piles of bricks, in the peridomicile. Triatomine infestation was characterized by high rates of colonization, especially in peridomicile. Flagelates infection was detected in only 12% of the samples by microscopy and Trypanosoma cruzi infection in 42% of the examined triatomines by PCR (n = 372). The most important risk factors for house infestation by R. ecuadoriensis were ecological zone (w = 0.99) and presence of chickens (w = 0.96). Determinants of secondary importance were reporting no insecticide applications over the last twelve months (w = 0.86) and dirt floor (w = 0.70). On the other hand, wood as wall material was a protective factor (w = 0.85). Conclusion/significance: According the results, approximately 571,000 people would be at high risk for T. cruzi infection in Manabí province. A multidisciplinary approximation and the adhesion to a periodic integrated vector management (IVM) program are essential to guarantee sustainable preventive and control strategies for Chagas disease in this region.Item Metadata only Home improvement and system-based health promotion for sustainable prevention of Chagas disease: A qualitative study(2019-06) Baus Carrera, Esteban Guillermo; Jiménez Riofrío, Sylvia Viviana; Baus Carrera, Esteban GuillermoBackground: Human transmission of Chagas disease (CD) most commonly occurs in domiciliary spaces where triatomines remain hidden to feed on blood sources during inhabitants' sleep. Similar to other neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), sustainable control of CD requires attention to the structural conditions of life of populations at risk, in this case, the conditions of their living environments. Considering socio-cultural and political dynamics involved in dwellings' construction, this study aimed to explore social factors that contribute or limit sustainability of CD's prevention models focused on home improvement. Methods and main findings: Using Healthy Homes for Healthy Living (HHHL)-a health promotion strategy focused on improvement of living environments and system-based health promotion-as a reference, a qualitative study was conducted. Research participants were selected from three rural communities of a CD endemic region in southern Ecuador involved in HHHL's refurbishment and reconstruction interventions between 2013 and 2016. Folowing an ethnographic approach, data were collected through interviews, participant observation, informal conversations and document analysis. Our results indicate that the HHHL model addressed risk factors for CD at the household level, while simultaneously promoting wellbeing at emotional, economic and social levels in local communities. We argue that sustainability of the CD prevention model proposed by HHHL is enhanced by the confluence of three factors: systemic improvement of families' quality of life, perceived usefulness of control measures, and flexibility to adapt to emerging dynamics of the context. Conclusion: HHHL's proposed home improvement, facilitated through system-based rather than disease specific health promotion processes, enhances agency in populations at risk and facilitates community partnerships forged around CD prevention. Although an independent analysis of cost-effectiveness is recommended, structural poverty experienced by local families is still the most important factor to consider when evaluating the sustainability and scalability of this model.Item Open Access Limitations of selective deltamethrin application for triatomine control in central coastal Ecuador(2011) Baus Carrera, Esteban Guillermo; Grijalva Cobo, Mario Javier; Villacís Salazar, Anita Gabriela; Yumiseva Marin, César Alberto; Grijalva, Mario J.This year-long study evaluated the effectiveness of a strategy involving selective deltamethrin spraying and community education for control of Chagas disease vectors in domestic units located in rural communities of coastal Ecuador. Surveys for triatomines revealed peridomestic infestation with Rhodnius ecuadoriensis and Panstrogylus howardi, with infestation indices remaining high during the study (13%, 17%, and 10%, at initial, 6-month, and 12-month, visits, respectively), which indicates a limitation of this stratefy for triatomine population control. Infestation was found 6 and 12 months after spraying with deltamethrin. In addition, a large number of previously vector-free domestic units also were found infested at the 6- and 12-month surveys, which indicates new infestations by sylvatic triatomines. The predominance of young nymphs and adults suggests new infestation events, likely from sylvatic foci. In addition, infection with Trypanosoma cruzi was found in 65%, 21% and 29% at initial, 6-month and 12-month visits, respectively. All parasites isolated (n=20) were identified as Tcl. New vector control stratefies need to ve devised and evaluated for reduction of T. cruzi transmission in this region.Item Open Access Positive deviance study to inform a Chagas disease crontrol program in southern Ecuador(2015) Baus Carrera, Esteban Guillermo; Grijalva Cobo, Mario Javier; Grijalva Cobo, Mario JavierChagas disease is caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, which is mainly transmitted by the faeces of triatomine insects that find favourable environments in poorly constructed houses. Previous studies have documented persistent triatomine infestation in houses in the province of Loja in southern Ecuador despite repeated insecticide and educational interventions. We aim to develop a sustainable stratefy for the interruption of Chagas disease transmission by promoting living environments that are designed to prevent colonisation of rural houses by triatomines. This study used positive deviance to inform the design of an anti-triatomine prototype house by identifying knowledge, attitudes and practices used by families that have remained triatomine-free (2010-2012). Positive deviants reported practices that included maintenance of structural elements of the house, fumigation of dwellings and animal shelters, sweeping with "insect repellent" plants and relocation of domestic animals away from the house, among others. Participants favoured construction materials that do not drastically differ from those currently used (adobe walls and tile roofs). They also expressed their belief in a clear connection between a clean house and health. The family`s econocmic dynamics affect space use and must be considered in the prototype´s design. Overall, the results indicate a positive climate for the introduction of housing improvements as a protective measure against Chagas disease in this region.