Sentimientos y emociones presentes en las experiencias de mujeres gestantes y donantes con Chagas en Chile

Resumen: Objetivo: Este artículo describe los sentimientos relativos a la experiencia de la enfermedad de Chagas en las regiones chilenas de Tarapacá, Atacama y Metropolitana. El estudio se enfocó en los sentimientos y emociones como experiencias subjetivas de mujeres gestantes y donantes de sangre en relación con la problemática de salud de Chagas, aspectos que subyacen en su interacción con el sistema social y sanitario. Método: Se empleó una metodología cualitativa y se utilizaron técnicas como entrevista en profundidad, entrevista semiestructurada y grupos focales. Participaron 176 personas nacionales y migrantes. Resultados: Se observa la relevancia del temor y la culpa, experimentada principalmente por las mujeres. El desconocimiento, desinformación, en el proceso de diagnóstico y tratamiento y los significados atribuidos a la enfermedad son determinantes de la atención. Conclusiones: Para la comprensión de los procesos de salud y las mejoras en el sistema de salud, se deben conocer los sentimientos y emociones en torno a esta problemática. Considerar las subjetividades permiten humanizar las estrategias de abordaje del Chagas.

Resumo: Objetivo: Este artigo descreve os sentimentos relacionados com a experiência da doença de Chagas nas regiões chilenas de Tarapacá, Atacama e Metropolitana. Os sentimentos e emoções como experiências subjetivas de mulheres grávidas e doadores de sangue em relação ao problema de saúde da doença de Chagas, aspectos que fundamentam sua interação com o sistema social e de saúde. Método: Uma metodologia qualitativa foi utilizada e técnicas como entrevistas em profundidade, entrevistas semi-estruturadas e grupos de foco foram utilizadas. Um total de 176 nacionais e migrantes participaram. Resultados: Observamos a relevância do medo e da culpa, principalmente experimentada pelas mulheres. Falta de conhecimento, desinformação, no processo de diagnóstico e tratamento e os significados atribuídos à doença são determinantes para o cuidado. Conclusões: Para a compreensão dos processos de saúde e melhorias no sistema de saúde, os sentimentos e emoções em torno deste problema devem ser conhecidos. Considerando as subjetividades, é possível humanizar as estratégias para lidar com a doença de Chagas.

Abstract: Objective: This article describes the feelings related to the experience of Chagas disease in the Chilean regions of Tarapacá, Atacama and Metropolitan. The study focused on feelings and emotions as subjective experiences of pregnant women and blood donors in relation to the Chagas health problem, aspects that underlie their interaction with the social and health system. Method: A qualitative methodology was employed and techniques such as in-depth interview, semi-structured interview and focus groups were used. A total of 176 nationals and migrants participated. Results: The relevance of fear and guilt, mainly experienced by women, was observed. Lack of knowledge and misinformation in the process of diagnosis and treatment and the meanings attributed to the disease are determinants of care. Conclusions: For the understanding of health processes and improvements in the health system, feelings and emotions around this problematic must be known. Considering subjectivities allows humanizing the strategies for approaching Chagas disease.

Recursos y vulnerabilidades de comunidades migrantes en Chile para enfrentar la pandemia SARS-CoV-2

Objetivo Conocer, en contexto de la pandemia por SARS-CoV-2, las vulnerabilidades psicosociales y socioeconómicas de la población migrante internacional en Chile y los recursos y capitales sociales reportados desde la propia comunidad. Métodos Estudio cualitativo descriptivo. Se realizaron 40 entrevistas semiestructuradas a migrantes (N=30) e informantes claves (N=10), ejecutadas virtualmente durante el 2020. El material fue analizado mediante análisis temático. El proyecto fue aprobado por el Comité de Ética Científico de la Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad del Desarrollo. Resultados Como principales vulnerabilidades enfrentadas por parte de personas migrantes en pandemia se identifican: hacinamiento, precariedad laboral y necesidades económicas, uso del transporte público, desinformación y creencias en torno al COVID-19, discriminación, falta de redes de apoyo, y estatus migratorio. Como recursos se reconocen: contar con redes de apoyo, posibilidad de teletrabajo o salir a trabajar, acceso a información y a la red asistencial y municipal, apoyo gubernamental y de la sociedad civil. Adicionalmente, se reportan experiencias de diagnóstico de COVID-19, identificando dificultades en acceso a PCR y adaptaciones familiares y laborales como cambios en los hábitos de vida dentro y fuera del hogar. Discusión El estudio entrega información relevante e inédita para la construcción de políticas en salud para migrantes internacionales con foco en crisis sanitarias. Se destaca la necesidad de fortalecer adecuaciones interculturales en las estrategias de prevención del contagio y de promoción de la salud y aumentar la disponibilidad de respuesta en el acceso a salud en el marco de la pandemia, mitigando así la vulnerabilidad social en migrantes y potenciando sus recursos de afrontamiento.

Objective To know, in the context of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, the psychosocial and socioeconomic vulnerabilities experienced by the international migrant population in Chile, as well as the resources and social capital reported from the community itself and its support networks, and to analyze the reception and implementation of the measures recommended by the health authorities in the different stages of the pandemic in the country. Methods Descriptive qualitative study. The information was collected through 40 semi-structured individual interviews with migrants (N=30) and key informants (N=10), carried out through online communication platforms during 2020. A thematic analysis of the material was carried out. The project was approved by the Scientific Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Medicine of the Universidad del Desarrollo. Results The main vulnerabilities experienced by migrants in the context of the pandemic include overcrowding, job insecurity and economic needs, use of public transport, misinformation and beliefs about COVID-19, experiences of discrimination and xenophobia, lack of support networks, and migratory status. The main resources are support networks, the possibility of working remotely or going out to work, access to information, access to the assistance and municipal network, and government support and civil society. In addition, experiences of diagnosis of COVID-19 are reported, identifying difficulties in accessing PCR testing, and family and work adaptations such as changes in lifestyle habits inside and outside the home. Discussion The study provides relevant and unpublished information for the construction of health policies for international migrants with a focus on sanitary crises. It highlights the need to strengthen cross-cultural strategies for the prevention of infection and health promotion, and to improve access to health in the context of the pandemic and beyond, thereby mitigating the social vulnerability experienced by migrants and enhancing their coping resources.

The multidimensional comprehension of Chagas disease. Contributions, approaches, challenges and opportunities from and beyond the Information, Education and Communication field

Chagas is a complex, multidimensional phenomenon in which political, economic, environmental, biomedical, epidemiological, psychological, and sociocultural factors intersect. Nonetheless, the hegemonic conceptualisation has long envisioned Chagas as primarily a biomedical question, while ignoring or downplaying the other dimensions, and this limited view has reinforced the disease's long neglect. Integrating the multiple dimensions of the problem into a coherent approach adapted to field realities and needs represents an immense challenge, but the payoff is more effective and sustainable experiences, with higher social awareness, increased case detection and follow-up, improved adherence to care, and integrated participation of various actors from multiple action levels. Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) initiatives have great potential for impact in the implementation of multidimensional programs of prevention and control successfully customised to the diverse and complex contexts where Chagas disease persists.

Population movements, borders, and Chagas disease

Currently, Chagas disease is a complex global health problem with local and global implications. In the present article, we approach this complexity from the perspective of human mobility and its effects on people's health in places of origin and in transit and destination. We raise key concepts such as human mobility - understood as a possible socio-structural and economic determination of health -, the associated social and institutional barriers and the processes of social exclusion related to Chagas disease. We also propose what we identify as emerging opportunities from the perspective of health as a right. Finally, we propose strategies aimed at addressing Chagas disease from a multidimensional and intersectional perspective in complex, diverse and interconnected territories through migration.