# Analysis of the consultations on the InfoChagas digital platform

## TL;DR

The InfoChagas digital platform helps people at risk of Chagas disease access information and healthcare, with most users from high-burden countries seeking treatment and transmission guidance.

## Contribution

This study provides the first comprehensive analysis of user consultations on the InfoChagas platform, highlighting barriers to healthcare access and the role of digital tools in addressing them.

## Key findings

- Most consultations were from Argentina, Mexico, and Bolivia, with common topics being treatment access and transmission risks.
- Half of users reported barriers to healthcare access, primarily due to inadequate care for T. cruzi infection.
- The majority of users emphasized the need for better information, education, and communication resources.

## Abstract

People affected by T cruzi infection, and at risk to develop Chagas disease, face significant barriers to accessing healthcare and often lack adequate information and communication resources. To address this, the Chagas Coalition developed the InfoChagas digital platform, including an informative website and consultations sections, linked YouTube channels in English and Spanish.

This cross-sectional study analyzed consultations to the InfoChagas platform between 2016 and 2023. We conducted quantitative and qualitative analyses of the consultants’ profiles, enquiry topics, and barriers that people at risk of having T. cruzi infection faced when seeking health care.

A total of 272 consultations were received via the website (n = 129) and YouTube (n = 143) from 19 endemic and non-endemic countries. Nearly two-thirds of these were from Argentina (n = 33, 25.6%), Mexico (n = 24, 18.6%), and Bolivia (n = 22, 17%). Main topics included doubts related to access to treatment (n = 71, 26%), transmission risk in daily life (n = 38, 14%) and requests for help or referrals to health care professionals (n = 38, 14%). Half of the users (n = 138, 50.7%) reported barriers to healthcare access, with the majority citing the inability of the system to provide adequate and effective care for T. cruzi infection (n = 127, 92.7%). Additionally, 96.7% (n = 270) of the narratives highlighted the need for information, education, and communication (IEC) to understand the complexity of T. cruzi infection and to demystify concepts that hinder access to healthcare.

InfoChagas serves as an informative, communicative, educational, and supportive resource for individuals affected by or at risk of T. cruzi infection across diverse geographic regions. Given the critical role of IEC strategies and the rise of healthcare technology, digital tools such as InfoChagas is a useful resource to face the existing barriers to healthcare access for the infection and to improve access to quality information and healthcare services.

Trypanosoma cruzi infection remains a significant global health challenge, with many individuals at risk facing difficulties accessing essential information and healthcare. To address these barriers, the InfoChagas digital platform was created, offering free information and professional consultations. Our analysis of consultations from 2016 to 2023 revealed that most inquiries came from high-burden countries, with users primarily seeking information on treatment access, transmission risks, and referrals to healthcare services. Many expressed challenges in obtaining proper care, emphasizing the need for improved information and communication strategies. InfoChagas has proven valuable in translating scientific knowledge into practical, accessible resources, especially for populations with limited healthcare access. Our findings also highlight the need to improve digital health literacy and develop comprehensive educational strategies to empower those affected by T. cruzi infection. This study underscores the potential of digital platforms to complement healthcare systems, improve access to critical health information, and contribute to global efforts to control and manage T. cruzi infection.