[Demographic profile and work situation of patients with Chagas disease]

To evaluate the social profile and work habits in patients with Chagas' disease.

We studied 284 ambulatory patients age ranged 21 to 74 years, female (62.3%) and married people (71.8%) divided according to their activities in three groups: active workers--121 (42.7%); under social security--93 (32.8%); housewives--61 (21.4%); unemployed people--9 (3.1%).

The majority of them were in stage II of Chagas' disease, 123 (43.3%) for both sexes. Migratory characteristics in this population was observed, with the search for work as the main reason for this. The level of education was low, considerably affecting the kind of profession.

Patients with Chagas' disease are originally from the rural area and migrate to urban area in order to improve economic conditions. They show unfavourable social conditions, with inadequate level of education and lack of professional gratifications.