A Neuroepidemiological Survey in Rural Bolivia: Background and Methods

Authors:
  • ARArturo Reggio
    Arturo Reggio
  • ABAlessandro Bartoloni
    Alessandro Bartoloni
  • GFGaetano Failla
    Gaetano Failla
  • FBFilippo Bartalesi
    Filippo Bartalesi
  • MRMimmo Roselli
    Mimmo Roselli
  • HGHerlan Gamboa
    Herlan Gamboa
  • ESEsteban Salazar
    Esteban Salazar
  • FPFranco Paradisi
    Franco Paradisi
  • GTGianna Tempera
    Gianna Tempera
  • AHAndrew Hall
    Andrew Hall
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Abstract
A door-to-door survey was carried out in rural areas of the Cordillera province, Santa Cruz Department, Bolivia. A cluster sample of 10,124 inhabitants was selected. The aim was to determine the prevalence of the most common neurological diseases (epilepsy, stroke, parkinsonism and peripheral neuropathy) in this population using a modification of the World Health Organization screening instrument. 1,130 subjects screened positive and were then investigated by neurologists. In this paper we describe the background and methods of the survey and the characteristics of the population.