Vol. 3 No. 1 (2026): April 2026
Articles

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Chagas Disease in Micro-Territories of Fusagasugá–Cundinamarca, 2020–2022

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  • Edison Huertas Bustos,
  • Hugo Fernando Ramírez Jaramillo ,
  • Natalia Bocanegra Gómez,
  • Daniela Losada Salazar
Edison Huertas Bustos
Registered Nurse with Specializations in Health Services Management and Epidemiology, Holding a Master’s Degree in Public Health and Development, and Serving as a Lecturer and Co-Researcher at the Universidad de Cundinamarca, Colombia
Hugo Fernando Ramírez Jaramillo
Registered Nurse, Specialist in Pedagogy for the Development of Autonomous Learning, and Lecturer and Co-Researcher at the Universidad de Cundinamarca, Colombia
Natalia Bocanegra Gómez
Final-Year Nursing Student and Research Assistant at the Universidad de Cundinamarca, Colombia
Daniela Losada Salazar
Final-Year Nursing Student and Research Assistant at the Universidad de Cundinamarca, Colombia
DOI: https://doi.org/10.70848/cnj.v3i1.54

Published 2026-04-12

Keywords

  • Chagas Disease ,
  • Knowledge,
  • Attitudes,
  • Practices,
  • Neglected Tropical Diseases,
  • Community Nursing
    • ...More
    Less

How to Cite

Bustos, E. H., Jaramillo , H. F. R., Gómez, N. B., & Salazar, D. L. (2026). Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Chagas Disease in Micro-Territories of Fusagasugá–Cundinamarca, 2020–2022. Celebes Nursing Journal, 3(1), 236–241. https://doi.org/10.70848/cnj.v3i1.54

Abstract

Introduction: Chagas disease remains a major neglected tropical disease (NTD) in Latin America, disproportionately affecting rural and socioeconomically vulnerable populations. Limited community knowledge and inadequate preventive practices contribute to persistent transmission. Objective: This study aimed to assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding Chagas disease among residents of selected rural micro-territories in Fusagasugá, Cundinamarca, between 2020 and 2022. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted among 166 adult residents from three rural micro-territories (Boquerón, El Triunfo, and Chinauta). Data were collected using a 27-item structured KAP questionnaire previously developed for endemic communities. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize frequencies and percentages. Results: Only 16.87% of respondents reported being familiar with Chagas disease, and 27.71% correctly identified the insect vector. Although 39.16% reported knowing how the disease is transmitted, knowledge regarding affected organs (9.04%) and vector ecology (31.33%) was limited. Despite these knowledge gaps, 77.11% expressed willingness to undergo diagnostic testing. Conclusion: The findings reveal significant deficiencies in community knowledge despite generally positive attitudes toward prevention. Strengthened community-based education strategies and nursing-led public health interventions are necessary to improve awareness and disease control in high-risk rural areas.

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