Human vulnerability to Trypanosoma cruzi vector transmission through health-disease processes and social appropriation of the territory

Risk studies of Trypanosoma cruzi vector transmission have classically overlooked the role of social behaviors and subjectivities within the natural landscape and social environment. A review and analysis of the literature on relevant biological, eco-epidemiological and sociocultural factors was combined with an ethnographic study in order to develop a risk model framework identifying the components of hazard and human vulnerability. Social practices, representations and knowledge regarding the health-disease-care process and the social appropriation of the territory are considered as elements explicative of human vulnerability. Exploring these components within an ethnographic analysis allows new options and more adequate prevention or comprehensive risk control measures to be identified.