The objective of this study was to broaden the inspection of home units to a radius of 200 meters from the residence of each notified case. The notifications received by the regional Services of SUCEN of São José do Rio Preto, Araçatuba and Presidente Prudente were evaluated in August, September and October of 2002. There was a total of 263 notifications of triatomines, of which 79 were positive. Broadening the scope meant another 610 domestic units were included in the investigation and in 14.5% of these triatomines were found. It was observed that 24.7% of the domestic units neighboring the house of the notified case presented positive results in the triatomines investigation. When a notified domestic unit presented a positive result, broadening the scope showed positivity in 42.5% of neighboring domestic units (Odds ratio 2.252 (1.25<OR<4.06, with a 95% confidence limit). This study demonstrated that it is necessary to broaden the scope of investigation when attending notifications by the local population.
Triatominae; Research scope; Chagas' disease; Triatomine notifications
