ABSTRACT
The aim of this research was to describe the delivery and evolution of Chagas disease with in-patients in Brazil during the last decade. It also attempted to discuss the limits and possibilities of Internal Hospitalization Authorization (AIH) as a source of epidemiologist information. From 1984 to 1993, the number of in-patients diagnosed with "tripanossomiase" was about 1,700 yearly, declining in absolute numbers during the entire historic series. The majority concentration of in-patients occuring in this study was recorded in São Paulo, Goiás, Minas Gerais and Distrito Federal. The public sector importance increased and the university hospitals improved their participation with in-patients with "tripanossomiase". Concerning hospitals expenses for in-patients, this study has observed that a hegemony in São Paulo was strengthened. The average cost was varied: in São Paulo and Distrito Federal, the average cost was much higher than that of Minas Gerais and Goiás. Finally, this study concluded that the most suitable usefulness of the AIH forms would be for disease surveys that haven't been presented to many clinics, for which the SINTESE files would be sufficient.
