Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 9, 2026
Demystifying In Vivo Bioluminescence Imaging of a Chagas Disease Mouse Model for Drug Efficacy Studies
Published on: May 31, 2024
Strengthening health management information systems for Chagas disease: a multi-level qualitative study in Bolivia
Malia Skjefte1,2, Elizabeth Posada3, Leonardo de la Torre3
1Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.
Background:
Chagas disease is a neglected tropical disease caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. It causes a significant health burden in the Americas, especially in Bolivia and Paraguay, where the disease is most endemic in the transnational Chaco region. Issues with data quality and availability prevent a true understanding of the current burden of disease, with missed opportunities for surveillance, resource allocation, and evaluation of interventions. This study aimed to explore routine Chagas disease data systems in Bolivia and Paraguay, focusing on data flow, barriers to data quality and reporting, and data sharing across health system levels, and to identify opportunities to strengthen surveillance and decision-making.
Methods:
A qualitative study was conducted between July-September 2024 in Bolivia and Paraguay. In-depth interviews were carried out with 43 key informants, with roles as healthcare workers, data managers, and technical advisors involved in Chagas Programs across different health system levels. A thematic analysis was conducted to develop a set of themes and recommendations related to data management practices.
Findings:
Four key themes emerged throughout interviews, with findings on data management practices, barriers to high quality routine data, data use, and cross-border data sharing. Key recommendations from participants to improve the overall Chagas disease data management systems in each country included strengthening digital infrastructure, promoting interoperability across systems, and fostering regional collaboration for cross-border data exchange.
Interpretation:
The study highlights critical gaps in routine data management for Chagas disease and underscores the importance of national-level solutions to support surveillance and control efforts. These findings offer concrete, actionable guidance for national health authorities and international stakeholders working to improve data systems for this neglected disease in endemic regions.
Funding:
This work was supported by the Fulbright U.S. Student Program; the Wellcome Trust [220211/Z/20/Z]; and ISGlobal (CEX2023-0001290-S, MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033), with additional support from the Generalitat de Catalunya (CERCA Program).
Related Concept Videos
01:22American Trypanosomiasis
01:26Principles of Disease Surveillance
01:30Health Information Technology and Healthcare Information System
Health Information Technology, commonly called HIT, integrates advanced information systems and technology in healthcare settings. Its primary functions include:
01:23Investigation of Disease Outbreaks
01:26Methods Of Healthcare Delivery System
Managed Care System:
The managed care system is designed to control the cost while maintaining the quality of care. The patient's care from admission to discharge is planned by the primary care provider or the case manager, also known as the gatekeeper. In a managed care system, the number of care providers is limited...
01:28Pulmonary Tuberculosis II
Here is a detailed explanation of its pathophysiology:
Transmission: The process begins when a person inhales droplet nuclei containing M. tuberculosis. These are typically released into the air when an individual with pulmonary or...