Antimicrobial Susceptibility of Neisseria gonorrhoeae Isolates From Peru, 2018 and 2019.

BACKGROUND: Currently, in Latin America, including Peru, the treatment of gonorrhea is still empiric and information regarding antimicrobial resistance is scarce in some countries because of the limited resources, which can contribute to the rising rates of reported multidrug-resistant gonococcal strains. In that context, it is mandatory to continuously monitor and report antimicrobial resistance in N. gonorrhoeae to update treatment recommendations. METHODS: This descriptive study analyzed genital and anal samples from symptomatic patients who attended 15 sexually transmitted infections health facilities from 8 different regions in Peru during the years 2018 to 2019 within the framework of Sentinel Surveillance. After establishing the presumptive diagnosis, the isolates were sent to the Laboratory of Sexually Transmitted Bacteria of the National Institute of Health of Peru in Lima where the species were confirmed (N = 165) and susceptibility profiles were determined. RESULTS: Among the 165 isolates, 95.2% corresponded to male patients, between 18 and 22 years of age (40.6%), half reported having a sexual partner and being heterosexual. Clinically, 89.7% manifested the presence of urethral exudate. Microbiology showed 95.2% of the isolates resistant to ciprofloxacin and 9.1% non-susceptible to azithromycin. Reduced susceptibility to ceftriaxone and cefixime was observed in 1.2% and 3.6% of the isolates respectively. All strains tested were susceptible to spectinomycin. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that in Peru, fluoroquinolones should not be recommended or used in N. gonorrhoeae infections due to the high percentage of resistant strains. In addition, nationwide access to gonococcal resistance testing, molecular diagnostics and antimicrobial stewardship should be implemented to control the spread of gonococcal antimicrobial resistance.

Impact of HIV on mortality among patients treated for tuberculosis in Lima, Peru: a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated tuberculosis deaths have decreased worldwide over the past decade. We sought to evaluate the effect of HIV status on tuberculosis mortality among patients undergoing treatment for tuberculosis in Lima, Peru, a low HIV prevalence setting. METHODS: We conducted a prospective cohort study of patients treated for tuberculosis between 2005 and 2008 in two adjacent health regions in Lima, Peru (Lima Ciudad and Lima Este). We constructed a multivariate Cox proportional hazards model to evaluate the effect of HIV status on mortality during tuberculosis treatment. RESULTS: Of 1701 participants treated for tuberculosis, 136 (8.0%) died during tuberculosis treatment. HIV-positive patients constituted 11.0% of the cohort and contributed to 34.6% of all deaths. HIV-positive patients were significantly more likely to die (25.1 vs. 5.9%, P < 0.001) and less likely to be cured (28.3 vs. 39.4%, P = 0.003). On multivariate analysis, positive HIV status (hazard ratio [HR] = 6.06; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.96-9.27), unemployment (HR = 2.24; 95% CI, 1.55-3.25), and sputum acid-fast bacilli smear positivity (HR = 1.91; 95% CI, 1.10-3.31) were significantly associated with a higher hazard of death. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrate that positive HIV status was a strong predictor of mortality among patients treated for tuberculosis in the early years after Peru started providing free antiretroviral therapy. As HIV diagnosis and antiretroviral therapy provision are more widely implemented for tuberculosis patients in Peru, future operational research should document the changing profile of HIV-associated tuberculosis mortality.

Weather Regulates Location, Timing, and Intensity of Dengue Virus Transmission between Humans and Mosquitoes.

BACKGROUND: Dengue is one of the most aggressively expanding mosquito-transmitted viruses. The human burden approaches 400 million infections annually. Complex transmission dynamics pose challenges for predicting location, timing, and magnitude of risk; thus, models are needed to guide prevention strategies and policy development locally and globally. Weather regulates transmission-potential via its effects on vector dynamics. An important gap in understanding risk and roadblock in model development is an empirical perspective clarifying how weather impacts transmission in diverse ecological settings. We sought to determine if location, timing, and potential-intensity of transmission are systematically defined by weather. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We developed a high-resolution empirical profile of the local weather-disease connection across Peru, a country with considerable ecological diversity. Applying 2-dimensional weather-space that pairs temperature versus humidity, we mapped local transmission-potential in weather-space by week during 1994-2012. A binary classification-tree was developed to test whether weather data could classify 1828 Peruvian districts as positive/negative for transmission and into ranks of transmission-potential with respect to observed disease. We show that transmission-potential is regulated by temperature-humidity coupling, enabling epidemics in a limited area of weather-space. Duration within a specific temperature range defines transmission-potential that is amplified exponentially in higher humidity. Dengue-positive districts were identified by mean temperature >22°C for 7+ weeks and minimum temperature >14°C for 33+ weeks annually with 95% sensitivity and specificity. In elevated-risk locations, seasonal peak-incidence occurred when mean temperature was 26-29°C, coincident with humidity at its local maximum; highest incidence when humidity >80%. We profile transmission-potential in weather-space for temperature-humidity ranging 0-38°C and 5-100% at 1°C x 2% resolution. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Local duration in limited areas of temperature-humidity weather-space identifies potential locations, timing, and magnitude of transmission. The weather-space profile of transmission-potential provides needed data that define a systematic and highly-sensitive weather-disease connection, demonstrating separate but coupled roles of temperature and humidity. New insights regarding natural regulation of human-mosquito transmission across diverse ecological settings advance our understanding of risk locally and globally for dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases and support advances in public health policy/operations, providing an evidence-base for modeling, predicting risk, and surveillance-prevention planning.

Reducing communication delays and improving quality of care with a tuberculosis laboratory information system in resource poor environments: a cluster randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Lost, delayed or incorrect laboratory results are associated with delays in initiating treatment. Delays in treatment for Multi-Drug Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB) can worsen patient outcomes and increase transmission. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of a laboratory information system in reducing delays and the time for MDR-TB patients to culture convert (stop transmitting). SETTING: 78 primary Health Centers (HCs) in Lima, Peru. Participants lived within the catchment area of participating HCs and had at least one MDR-TB risk factor. The study design was a cluster randomized controlled trial with baseline data. The intervention was the e-Chasqui web-based laboratory information system. Main outcome measures were: times to communicate a result; to start or change a patient's treatment; and for that patient to culture convert. RESULTS: 1671 patients were enrolled. Intervention HCs took significantly less time to receive drug susceptibility test (DST) (median 11 vs. 17 days, Hazard Ratio 0.67 [0.62-0.72]) and culture (5 vs. 8 days, 0.68 [0.65-0.72]) results. The time to treatment was not significantly different, but patients in intervention HCs took 16 days (20%) less time to culture convert (p = 0.047). CONCLUSIONS: The eChasqui system reduced the time to communicate results between laboratories and HCs and time to culture conversion. It is now used in over 259 HCs covering 4.1 million people. This is the first randomized controlled trial of a laboratory information system in a developing country for any disease and the only study worldwide to show clinical impact of such a system. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01201941.

Enfermedades no transmisibles: efecto de las grandes transiciones y los determinantes sociales / Noncommunicable diseases: effect of major transitions and social determinants

Las enfermedades no transmisibles (ENT) se definen como enfermedades de etiología no infecciosa caracterizadas por su larga latencia, larga duración, períodos de remisión y recurrencia, expresión clínica diversa y por sus consecuencias discapacitantes a largo plazo. La emergencia de las ENT se relaciona con cambios económicos y sociales ocurridos a nivel mundial, en los cuales, a medida que se incrementa la esperanza de vida en los países, se producen modificaciones en los estilos de vida de su población (Transición demográfica) lo que a su vez ha con llevado a un cambio en los patrones de enfermedad y mortalidad en el que las enfermedades no transmisibles desplazan a las enfermedades infecciosas (Transición epidemiológica). Las repercusiones socioeconómicas y sobre el desarrollo que tienen las ENT, al igual que sus efectos sobre los sistemas de salud, por las desigualdades en la carga de enfermedad y prevalencia, son atribuibles en gran medida a determinantes sociales como la pobreza, educación, género, urbanización, etnia/raza. La presente revisión muestra la gran influencia que el contexto social, económico, cultural, medioambiental y político tienen sobre las ENT y sus factores de riesgo. Para responder a los determinantes sociales de las ENT se deben adoptar medidas mundiales y nacionales que promuevan la salud y la equidad como el aseguramiento universal en salud.

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are defined as diseases of noninfectious etiology characterized by its long latency, long duration, periods of remission and recurrence, diverse clinical manifestations and its debilitating long-term consequences. The emergence of NCDs is related to economic and social changes in the world, for which, as life expectancy in countries increases, changes occur in the lifestyles of its population (demographic transition) at which in turn has led to a change in the patterns of disease and mortality, where non-communicable diseases displace infectious diseases (epidemiological transition). The socioeconomic and developmental implications with NCDs, as well as their effects on health systems, by inequalities in the burden of disease prevalence are attributable largely to social determinants such as poverty, education, gender, urbanization, ethnicity / race. This review shows the great influence that the social, economic, cultural, environmental and political context have on NCDs and their risk factors. To address the social determinants of NCDs must be taken global and national actions to promote health and equity and universal health insurance.

Características de los ensayos clínicos autorizados en el Perú, 1995-2012 / Characteristics of clinical trials authorized in Peru: 1995-2012

Objetivos. Describir las principales características de los ensayos clínicos (EC) autorizados en el Perú desde 1995 a agosto de 2012. Materiales y métodos. Se realizó un estudio transversal, en el que se revisaron todos los expedientes de protocolos de EC presentados para su evaluación y posible aprobación al INS, cuyos datos forman parte del Registro Peruano de EC. Se realizó el análisis descriptivo de los estados de aprobación de los EC, fase de estudio, especialidad, y otras características afines a ellos. Resultados. Se encontraron 1475 EC, de los cuales 1255 (85,1%) fueron autorizados. De un EC registrado el año 1995 se incrementó a 176 ensayos presentados en el 2008, disminuyendo en el 2011 a 128 ensayos. Entre los EC aprobados, el 64,1% corresponden a EC en fase III. Oncología (22,4%), Infectología (15,5%) y Endocrinología (12,7%) fueron las especialidades más estudiadas y solo el 1.19%, corresponde a enfermedades tropicales desatendidas. Los hipoglicemiantes orales, antivirales de uso sistémico y antineoplásico fueron los medicamentos más estudiados. La industria farmacéutica transnacional fue el principal patrocinador (87,1%) y ejecutor de ensayos clínicos (62,3%) los cuales se realizan mayormente en Lima. Conclusiones. Los ensayos clínicos que se realizan en el país son principalmente en enfermedades no transmisibles y son estudios en fase III. La industria farmacéutica constituye el principal patrocinador. Solo el 1.2%, corresponde a enfermedades tropicales desatendidas, lo cual muestra la poca atención a los problemas de salud de poblaciones en situaciones de vulnerabilidad.

Objective. To identify main characteristics of clinical trials (CT) authorized by the National Institute of Health (INS) of Peru from 1995 to August 2012. Material and methods. Cross-sectional study, which reviewed all records of CT submitted for review and possible approval by INS, whose data are part of the Peruvian Registry of Clinical Trials. We performed a descriptive analysis of the states of the CT approval and other characteristics. Results. 1475 clinical trials were assessed, of which 1255 (85.1%) were authorized. From 1 clinical trial officially registered in 1995, its quantity increased to 176 trials submitted in 2008, and then, declined to 128 in 2011. Among the approved CT, 64.1% was in Phase III. Oncology (22.4%), infectious diseases (15.5%) and endocrinology (12.7%) were the most studied specialties and a only 1.2% were for neglected tropical diseases. The oral hypoglycemic drugs, systemic antiviral and antineoplastic agents were the most studied investigational products. The transnational pharmaceutical industry was the main sponsor (87.1%) and executors (62.3%) of clinical trials were mostly in Lima. Conclusions. Clinical trials in Peru mainly focus on noncommunicable diseases and phase III studies. The pharmaceutical industry is the main sponsor. A very small number of authorized clinical trials in Peru were for neglected tropical diseases that shows little attention to the health problems in vulnerable populations.

Construcción de la agenda de investigación en desnutrición infantil en el Perú, periodo 2012-2016 / Elaboration of the National Research Agenda in child malnutrition in Peru, 2012-2016

Objetivo: Describir el proceso de elaboración de la agenda nacional de investigaci¢n en desnutrición infantil en el Perú. Métodos: Dicho proceso fue realizado en tres fases: revisión de evidencia e información relevante sobre desnutrición infantil en el Perú, consulta a l¡deres de opinión y expertos tem ticos, y el taller participativo para la priorización tem tica. Resultados: Producto de la revisión de evidencia fueron identificados 232 art¡culos originales entre 1954 y 2010. Identificamos 29 investigadores clave de gran producción y contribución en desnutrición infantil para el Perú. En las mesas temáticas se discutieron 53 temas de investigación, de los cuales luego de la aplicación de los criterios establecidos se obtuvieron 22 temas de investigación que conforman la agenda nacional de investigación de desnutrición infantil. Conclusiones: Siendo la desnutrición infantil una prioridad sanitaria, planteamos 22 temas de investigación espec¡ficos en dicho campo. El proceso de priorización participativa intenta optimizar el uso de recursos humanos y financieros hacia investigación que tenga impacto en las pol¡ticas públicas e intervenciones sobre el estado nutricional infantil.

Objective: To describe the process of elaboration of the National Research Agenda in child malnutrition in Peru. Methods: This process was carried out in three phases: review of evidence and relevant information on child malnutrition in Peru, consultation with leaders of opinion and thematic experts, and participatory workshop for the prioritization. Results: 232 original papers were identified from 1954 to 2010. We identify 29 key researchers from large production and contribution in child malnutrition to Peru. The thematic tables discussed 53 topics, 22 research topics were prioritized and included in national research agenda of child malnutrition. Conclusions: Child malnutrition is a health priority; we present 22 specific research topics. The participatory process for prioritizing tries to optimize the use of human and financial resources towards research that have impact on public policies and interventions on child nutritional status.

Identifying multidrug resistant tuberculosis transmission hotspots using routinely collected data.

In most countries with large drug resistant tuberculosis epidemics, only those cases that are at highest risk of having MDRTB receive a drug sensitivity test (DST) at the time of diagnosis. Because of this prioritized testing, identification of MDRTB transmission hotspots in communities where TB cases do not receive DST is challenging, as any observed aggregation of MDRTB may reflect systematic differences in how testing is distributed in communities. We introduce a new disease mapping method, which estimates this missing information through probability-weighted locations, to identify geographic areas of increased risk of MDRTB transmission. We apply this method to routinely collected data from two districts in Lima, Peru over three consecutive years. This method identifies an area in the eastern part of Lima where previously untreated cases have increased risk of MDRTB. This may indicate an area of increased transmission of drug resistant disease, a finding that may otherwise have been missed by routine analysis of programmatic data. The risk of MDR among retreatment cases is also highest in these probable transmission hotspots, though a high level of MDR among retreatment cases is present throughout the study area. Identifying potential multidrug resistant tuberculosis (MDRTB) transmission hotspots may allow for targeted investigation and deployment of resources.

[Characteristics of clinical trials authorized in Peru: 1995-2012]. / Características de los ensayos clínicos autorizados en el Perú, 1995-2012.

OBJECTIVE: To identify main characteristics of clinical trials (CT) authorized by the National Institute of Health (INS) of Peru from 1995 to August 2012. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study, which reviewed all records of CT submitted for review and possible approval by INS, whose data are part of the Peruvian Registry of Clinical Trials. We performed a descriptive analysis of the states of the CT approval and other characteristics. RESULTS: 1475 clinical trials were assessed, of which 1255 (85.1%) were authorized. From 1 clinical trial officially registered in 1995, its quantity increased to 176 trials submitted in 2008, and then, declined to 128 in 2011. Among the approved CT, 64.1% was in Phase III. Oncology (22.4%), infectious diseases (15.5%) and endocrinology (12.7%) were the most studied specialties and a only 1.2% were for neglected tropical diseases. The oral hypoglycemic drugs, systemic antiviral and antineoplastic agents were the most studied investigational products. The transnational pharmaceutical industry was the main sponsor (87.1%) and executors (62.3%) of clinical trials were mostly in Lima. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical trials in Peru mainly focus on noncommunicable diseases and phase III studies. The pharmaceutical industry is the main sponsor. A very small number of authorized clinical trials in Peru were for neglected tropical diseases that shows little attention to the health problems in vulnerable populations.

[Bibliometric analysis of scientific production about HIV/AIDS in Peru 1985-2010]. / Análisis bibliométrico de la producción científica sobre VIH/SIDA en el Perú 1985-2010.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the evolution of published scientific articles on HIV/AIDS in Peru. METHODS: A bibliometric analysis of papers on HIV/AIDS published in journals indexed in MEDLINE, SciELO and LILACS until October 2010. We selected research papers fully developed in Peru, and multicenter studies with participating Peruvian sites. RESULTS: We identified 257 publications on HIV/AIDS, showing an increase since 2003. The average publication delay was 2.8±1.8 years. Only 94 (36.6 %) articles were published in Spanish. The most studied areas were epidemiology (36.6 %) and clinical topics (35.8 %). The cross-sectional design was the most frequent (56.8 %) followed by case series. According to the WHO classification, studies to learn more about the disease and risk factors predominated (85.6 %) and according to the intervention areas, 46.7 % focused on diagnosis and treatment. Most studies were conducted in Lima (65.9 %). 48.2 % of studies focused on people living with HIV/AIDS. Finally, Revista Peruana de Medicina Experimental y Salud Pública was the journal that published most articles on HIV/AIDS (9.7 %). CONCLUSIONS: We found a growth in scientific production on HIV/AIDS in Peru; however, we believe that the research undertaken was not based on an agreed national agenda or national research priorities, which might have limitted its dissemination and application.

Análisis bibliométrico de la producción científica sobre VIH/SIDA en el Perú 1985 - 2010 / Bibliometric analysis of scientific production about HIV/AIDS in Perú 1985 - 2010

Objetivos. Analizar la evolución de la publicación de artículos de investigación sobre VIH/SIDA en Perú. Métodos. Estudio bibliométrico de los artículos sobre VIH/SIDA publicados en revistas indizadas en Medline, SciELO y LILACS hasta octubre de 2010. Se seleccionaron investigaciones desarrolladas completamente en Perú, o estudios multicéntricos con participación de sedes peruanas. Resultados. Se identificó 257 artículos sobre VIH/SIDA, observando un incremento desde el 2003. El promedio de demora de publicación fue de 2,8 ±1,8 años. Solo 94 (36,6 por ciento) artículos fueron publicados en español. Las áreas más estudiadas fueron epidemiología (36,6 por ciento) y clínica (35,8 por ciento). El diseño transversal fue el más frecuente (56,8 por ciento), seguido por las series de casos. Según la clasificación de OMS predominaron los estudios destinados a conocer más la enfermedad y los factores de riesgo (85,6 por ciento) y según las áreas de intervención el 46,7 por ciento se enfocó en el diagnóstico y tratamiento. La mayoría de estudios se realizaron en Lima (65,9 por ciento). El 48,2 por ciento de estudios se enfocaron en las personas afectadas por el VIH/SIDA. Finalmente, la Revista Peruana de Medicina Experimental y Salud Pública fue la que publicó más artículos sobre VIH/SIDA (9,7 por ciento). Conclusiones. Se evidencia un crecimiento en la producción científica sobre VIH/SIDA en el Perú, sin embargo, consideramos que las investigaciones no se han basado en una agenda nacional consensuada y basada en prioridades de investigación, lo que ha podido limitar su diseminación y aplicación.

Objective. To analyze the evolution of published scientific articles on HIV/AIDS in Peru. Methods. A bibliometric analysis of papers on HIV/AIDS published in journals indexed in MEDLINE, SciELO and LILACS until October 2010. We selected research papers fully developed in Peru, and multicenter studies with participating Peruvian sites. Results. We identified 257 publications on HIV/AIDS, showing an increase since 2003. The average publication delay was 2.8±1.8 years. Only 94 (36.6 percent) articles were published in Spanish. The most studied areas were epidemiology (36.6 percent) and clinical topics (35.8 percent). The cross-sectional design was the most frequent (56.8 percent) followed by case series. According to the WHO classification, studies to learn more about the disease and risk factors predominated (85.6 percent) and according to the intervention areas, 46.7 percent focused on diagnosis and treatment. Most studies were conducted in Lima (65.9 percent). 48.2 percent of studies focused on people living with HIV/AIDS. Finally, Revista Peruana de Medicina Experimental y Salud Pública was the journal that published most articles on HIV/AIDS (9.7 percent). Conclusions. We found a growth in scientific production on HIV / AIDS in Peru; however, we believe that the research undertaken was not based on an agreed national agenda or national research priorities, which might have limitted its dissemination and application.

[Process of construction of the national research agenda on Human Resources in Health in Peru 2011 - 2014]. / Proceso de construcción de la agenda nacional de investigación sobre Recursos Humanos en Salud (RHUS) en el Perú, 2011-2014.

The National Health Authority of Peru, as part of the implementation of national priorities for health research in 2010 developed the process of building the national research agenda on health manpower (HM). In a scenario of technical challenges, national and international policy and under a nation-wide participatory approach with key stakeholders in the health system, training and aid HM linked to the subject, establishing a socially agreed agenda. Process consists of 3 phases: 1. National review of evidence and relevant information on RHUS, 2. Consultation with opinion leaders and subject experts, and 3. A collaborative space (national workshop) of deliberation, consensus and legitimacy of the agenda. Finally, we present the agenda consists of 30 research topics on health manpower, to be developed in the period 2011- 2014, and raises the challenges and prospects for implementation.

Proceso de construcción de la agenda nacional de investigación sobre Recursos Humanos en Salud (RHUS) en el Perú, 2011-2014 / Process of construction of the national research agenda on Human Resources in Health in Peru 2011 - 2014

La Autoridad Sanitaria Nacional del Perú, como parte del proceso de implementación de las prioridades nacionales de investigación en salud en el 2010, desarrolló el proceso de construcción de la agenda nacional de investigación sobre recursos humanos en salud (RHUS). En un escenario de desafíos técnico-políticos nacionales e internacionales y bajo un enfoque participativo de alcance nacional, con actores clave del sistema de salud, formación de RHUS y cooperantes vinculados con el tema, se establece una agenda socialmente consensuada. El proceso consta de tres fases: 1. Revisión nacional de evidencias e información relevante sobre RHUS; 2. Consulta a líderes de opinión y expertos temáticos y 3. Un espacio participativo (taller nacional) de deliberación, consenso y legitimación de la agenda. Finalmente se presenta la agenda compuesta por 30 temas de investigación sobre RHUS para ser desarrolladas en el período 2011-2014 y se plantean los retos y perspectivas para su implementación.

The National Health Authority of Peru, as part of the implementation of national priorities for health research in 2010 developed the process of building the national research agenda on health manpower (HM). In a scenario of technical challenges, national and international policy and under a nation-wide participatory approach with key stakeholders in the health system, training and aid HM linked to the subject, establishing a socially agreed agenda. Process consists of 3 phases: 1. National review of evidence and relevant information on RHUS, 2. Consultation with opinion leaders and subject experts, and 3. A collaborative space (national workshop) of deliberation, consensus and legitimacy of the agenda. Finally, we present the agenda consists of 30 research topics on health manpower, to be developed in the period 2011- 2014, and raises the challenges and prospects for implementation.

Targeted drug-resistance testing strategy for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis detection, Lima, Peru, 2005-2008.

The Peruvian National Tuberculosis Control Program issued guidelines in 2006 specifying criteria for culture and drug-susceptibility testing (DST), including district-level rapid DST. All patients referred for culture and DST in 2 districts of Lima, Peru, during January 2005-November 2008 were monitored prospectively. Of 1,846 patients, 1,241 (67.2%) had complete DST results for isoniazid and rifampin; 419 (33.8%) patients had multidrug-resistant (MDR) TB at the time of referral. Among patients with new smear-positive TB, household contact and suspected category I failure were associated with MDR TB, compared with concurrent regional surveillance data. Among previously treated patients with smear-positive TB, adult household contact, suspected category II failure, early relapse after category I, and multiple previous TB treatments were associated with MDR TB, compared with concurrent regional surveillance data. The proportion of MDR TB detected by using guidelines was higher than that detected by a concurrent national drug-resistance survey, indicating that the strategy effectively identified patients for DST.

[Management and funding of the research by the Peruvian National Institute of Health, 2004-2008]. / Gestión y financiamiento de las investigaciones por el Instituto Nacional de Salud, Perú 2004-2008.

The results of the research projects that have been approved and funded by the Instituto Nacional de Salud (Peru) during the period 2004-2008 were analyzed. Out of 182 approved and funded research projects, 150 (82%) were actually performed, 86% (129/150) ended in the final report and only 14% (18/129) were published in indexed journals, the mean time for publication of an article was of 2,7 years. Out of the presented research projects, 68 (45%) were through a competitive fund, 60 (40%) were institutional, 14 (9%) coming from regional (provincial) health directions and 8 (5%) collaborative. The executed budget was of $ 5,032,906.62. The mean amount assigned to each research project was $ 33,552.71 and the cost of each publication was $ 279,605.92; the distribution of the budget according to each study subject was 61% for communicable diseases, 12% for non-communicable diseases and 27% for technological development. The research promotion, development and financing in the Instituto Nacional de Salud during this period have had a decreasing trend, influenced by institutional policy. In order to overcome this situation, not only at an institutional but also at a national level, it is necessary that the State defines its national research policy, respecting the national and regional priorities in health research.

[Advances and challenges in building the national health research system in Peru]. / Avances y retos en la construcción del sistema nacional de investigación en salud en el Perú.

The objective of this paper is to present the situational status of the National Health Research System of Peru (NHRS), the lessons learnt during the building process, the opportunities to improve it and the challenges. A description of the functions of the peruvian NHRS is done, in relation to governance, legal framework, research priorities, funding, creation and sustainability of resources and research production and utilization. It describes that in Peru we excert governance in research, we count with regulations, policy and research priorities, these last developed in the framework of a participatory, inclusive process. The conclusion reached is that the challenges of the peruvian NHRS are to consolidate the governance and to develop the mechanisms to articulate the stakeholders involved in research, to improve the resources allocation for research and innovation, to elaborate a plan for the development of human resources dedicated to research, to develop institutions and regional competences in order to perform research, and to link research in order to solve problems and make national research policies sustainable.