Challenges of design, implementation, acceptability, and potential for, biomedical technologies in the Peruvian Amazon.

BACKGROUND: Biomedical technologies have the potential to be advantageous in remote communities. However, information about barriers faced by users of technology in general and in remote Indigenous communities is scarce. The purpose of this study was to characterize the leading challenges faced by researchers who have used biomedical technologies in the Peruvian Amazon. METHODS: This exploratory, qualitative study with a phenomenological approach depicts the lived experience of participants who were researchers with experience working with biomedical technologies in the Peruvian Amazon in the past five years. Analysis was based on three core themes: design, implementation, and acceptability. Sub-themes included environment, community, and culture. Of the 24 potential participants identified and contacted, 14 agreed to participate, and 13 met inclusion criteria and completed semi-structured interviews. Results were sent to each participant with the opportunity to provide feedback and partake in a 30-minute validation meeting. Five participants consented to a follow-up meeting to validate the results and provide further understanding. RESULTS: Participants recognized significant challenges, including technologies designed out-of-context, difficulty transporting the technologies through the Amazon, the impact of the physical environment (e.g., humidity, flooding), and limited existing infrastructure, such as electricity and appropriately trained health personnel. Participants also identified cultural factors, including the need to address past experiences with technology and health interventions, understand and appropriately communicate community benefits, and understand the effect of demographics (e.g., age, education) on the acceptance and uptake of technology. Complementary challenges, such as corruption in authority and waste disposal, and recommendations for technological and health interventions such as co-design were also identified. CONCLUSIONS: This study proposes that technological and health interventions without efforts to respect local cultures and health priorities, or understand and anticipate contextual challenges, will not meet its goal of improving access to healthcare in remote Amazon communities. Furthermore, the implications of corruption on health services, and improper waste disposal on the environment may lead to more detrimental health inequities.

Acceso a servicios de salud dental en menores de doce años en Perú, 2014 / Access to oral health services in children under twelve years of age in Peru, 2014

RESUMEN El objetivo del estudio fue explorar los patrones de acceso a servicios de salud dental en menores de doce años en Perú. Se revisaron datos de 25.285 niños menores de 12 años que participaron en la Encuesta Demográfica y de Salud Familiar 2014. Se realizó un análisis exploratorio espacial para proyectar las proporciones de menores con acceso a servicios de salud dental según regiones a nivel nacional, tipo de servicio de salud y lugar de residencia urbana o rural. Los resultados muestran que el 26,7% de la muestra tuvo acceso a los servicios de salud dental en los últimos seis meses. El 39,6% pertenecía al grupo etario de 0 a 4 años, el 40,6% habitaba en la zona andina y un 58,3% residía en zonas urbanas. Las regiones de Huancavelica, Apurímac, Ayacucho, Lima y Pasco tuvieron los mayores porcentajes de población que accedió a servicios de salud dental a nivel nacional. En conclusión, existe un bajo acceso a los servicios de salud dental para la población menor de 12 años en Perú. La distribución espacial del acceso a los servicios de salud dental permitiría identificar y agrupar regiones según patrones comunes de acceso para enfocar acciones en materia de salud pública.

ABSTRACT The aim of the study was to explore the patterns of dental health services access in children under twelve years of age in Peru. Data from 25,285 children under 12 years who participated in the Demographic and Family Health Survey of 2014 were reviewed. An exploratory spatial analysis was performed to project the proportions of children with access to dental health services, according to national regions, type of health service and urban or rural place of residence. The results show that of the total sample, 26.7% had access to dental health services in the last six months, 39.6% belonged to the age group 0-4 years, 40.6% lived in the Andean region and 58.3% lived in urban areas. The regions of Huancavelica, Apurimac, Ayacucho, Lima and Pasco had the highest percentages of access nationwide. In conclusion, there is low access to dental health services in the population under 12 years of age in Peru. The spatial distribution of access to dental health services allows regions to be identified and grouped according to similar access patterns, in order to better focus public health actions.

[Access to oral health services in children under twelve years of age in Peru, 2014]. / Acceso a servicios de salud dental en menores de doce años en Perú, 2014.

The aim of the study was to explore the patterns of dental health services access in children under twelve years of age in Peru. Data from 25,285 children under 12 years who participated in the Demographic and Family Health Survey of 2014 were reviewed. An exploratory spatial analysis was performed to project the proportions of children with access to dental health services, according to national regions, type of health service and urban or rural place of residence. The results show that of the total sample, 26.7% had access to dental health services in the last six months, 39.6% belonged to the age group 0-4 years, 40.6% lived in the Andean region and 58.3% lived in urban areas. The regions of Huancavelica, Apurimac, Ayacucho, Lima and Pasco had the highest percentages of access nationwide. In conclusion, there is low access to dental health services in the population under 12 years of age in Peru. The spatial distribution of access to dental health services allows regions to be identified and grouped according to similar access patterns, in order to better focus public health actions.