The Incidence of Stroke in Indigenous Populations of Countries With a Very High Human Development Index: A Systematic Review Protocol.

Background and Aims: Despite known Indigenous health and socioeconomic disadvantage in countries with a Very High Human Development Index, data on the incidence of stroke in these populations are sparse. With oversight from an Indigenous Advisory Board, we will undertake a systematic review of the incidence of stroke in Indigenous populations of developed countries or regions, with comparisons between Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations of the same region, though not between different Indigenous populations. Methods: Using PubMed, OVID-EMBASE, and Global Health databases, we will examine population-based incidence studies of stroke in Indigenous adult populations of developed countries published 1990-current, without language restriction. Non-peer-reviewed sources, studies including <10 Indigenous People, or with insufficient data to determine incidence, will be excluded. Two reviewers will independently validate the search strategies, screen titles and abstracts, and record reasons for rejection. Relevant articles will undergo full-text screening, with standard data extracted for all studies included. Quality assessment will include Sudlow and Warlow's criteria for population-based stroke incidence studies, the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for risk of bias, and the CONSIDER checklist for Indigenous research. Results: Primary outcomes include crude, age-specific and/or age-standardized incidence of stroke. Secondary outcomes include overall stroke rates, incidence rate ratio and case-fatality. Results will be synthesized in figures and tables, describing data sources, populations, methodology, and findings. Within-population meta-analysis will be performed if, and where, methodologically sound and comparable studies allow this. Conclusion: We will undertake the first systematic review assessing disparities in stroke incidence in Indigenous populations of developed countries. Data outputs will be disseminated to relevant Indigenous stakeholders to inform public health and policy research.

Correction: SARS-CoV-2 in the Amazon region: A harbinger of doom for Amerindians.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008686.].

SARS-CoV-2 in the Amazon region: A harbinger of doom for Amerindians.

As the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic continues to expand, healthcare resources globally have been spread thin. Now, the disease is rapidly spreading across South America, with deadly consequences in areas with already weakened public health systems. The Amazon region is particularly susceptible to the widespread devastation from Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) because of its immunologically fragile native Amerindian inhabitants and epidemiologic vulnerabilities. Herein, we discuss the current situation and potential impact of COVID-19 in the Amazon region and how further spread of the epidemic wave could prove devastating for many Amerindian people living in the Amazon rainforest.

An analysis of the nutrition status of neighboring Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations in Kanungu District, southwestern Uganda: Close proximity, distant health realities.

OBJECTIVES: Malnutrition is a persistent health concern throughout the world. Globally, Indigenous peoples experience poorer health outcomes compared to their non-Indigenous neighbours. Despite this, malnutrition among Indigenous populations is poorly understood. This analysis estimated the prevalence, and modeled possible determinants of, moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) and severe acute malnutrition (SAM) for Indigenous Batwa and non-Indigenous Bakiga of Kanungu District in Southwestern Uganda. We then characterize possible mechanisms driving differences in malnutrition. METHODS: Retrospective cross-sectional surveys were administered to 10 Batwa communities and 10 matched Bakiga Local Councils during April of 2014 (n = 1167). Individuals were classified as MAM and SAM based on middle upper-arm circumference (MUAC) for their age-sex strata. Mixed-effects regression models quantified the variation in malnutrition occurrence, considering individual, household, and community-ethnicity level effects. Models controlled for age, sex, number of dependents, education, and relative wealth. RESULTS: Malnutrition is high among Batwa children and adults, with nearly half of Batwa adults (45.34%, 95% CI 34.82 to 55.86 for males; 45.86%, 95% CI 37.39 to 54.33 for females) and nearly a quarter of Batwa children (20.31%, 95% CI 13.07 to 26.93 for males; 25.81%, 95% CI 17.56 to 32.84 for females) meeting MAM criteria. SAM prevalence is lower than MAM prevalence, with SAM highest among adult Batwa males (11.60%, 95% CI 4.83 to 18.37) and adult Batwa females (3.00%, 95% CI 0.10 to 5.90). SAM prevalence among children was higher for Batwa males (7.03%, 95% CI 1.36 to 12.70) compared to Bakiga males (0.57%, 95% CI 0 to 1.69). Models that incorporated community ethnicity explained the greatest variance (>60%) in MUAC values. CONCLUSION: This research demonstrates a malnutrition inequality between the Indigenous Batwa and non-Indigenous Bakiga of Kanungu District, Uganda, with model results suggesting further investigation into the role of ethnicity as an upstream social determinant of health.

Multiple non-climatic drivers of food insecurity reinforce climate change maladaptation trajectories among Peruvian Indigenous Shawi in the Amazon.

BACKGROUND: Climate change is affecting food systems globally, with implications for food security, nutrition, and the health of human populations. There are limited data characterizing the current and future consequences of climate change on local food security for populations already experiencing poor nutritional indicators. Indigenous Amazonian populations have a high reported prevalence of nutritional deficiencies. This paper characterizes the food system of the Shawi of the Peruvian Amazon, climatic and non-climatic drivers of their food security vulnerability to climate change, and identifies potential maladaptation trajectories. METHODS AND FINDINGS: Semi-structured interviews with key informants (n = 24), three photovoice workshops (n = 17 individuals), transect walks (n = 2), a food calendar exercise, and two community dissemination meetings (n = 30 individuals), were conducted within two Shawi communities in Balsapuerto District in the Peruvian Loreto region between June and September of 2014. The Shawi food system was based on three main food sub-systems (forest, farming and externally-sourced). Shawi reported collective, gendered, and emotional notions related to their food system activities. Climatic and non-climatic drivers of food security vulnerability among Shawi participants acted at proximal and distal levels, and mutually reinforced key maladaptation trajectories, including: 1) a growing population and natural resource degradation coupled with limited opportunities to increase incomes, and 2) a desire for education and deforestation reinforced by governmental social and food interventions. CONCLUSION: A series of maladaptive trajectories have the potential to increase social and nutritional inequities for the Shawi. Transformational food security adaptation should include consideration of Indigenous perceptions and priorities, and should be part of Peruvian food and socioeconomic development policies.

[High blood pressure and obesity in indigenous Ashaninkas of Junin region, Peru]. / Hipertensión arterial y obesidad en indígenas asháninkas de la región Junín, Perú

In order to determine the prevalence of high blood pressure and obesity in indigenous Ashaninkas, with limited contact with Western culture, a cross-sectional study was conducted in 2008 in five Ashaninka communities of the Junin region in the jungle of Peru. Individuals aged 35 or older were included. 76 subjects were evaluated (average age 47.4 years old, 52.6 % women) corresponding to 43.2% of the eligible population. The prevalence of hypertension was 14.5% (CI 95%: 6.4-22.6) and the prevalence of obesity, according to body mass index, was 4% (CI 95%: 0-8.4). No differences were observed in gender or in blood pressure levels by age group. Compared with previous studies in non-indigenous people of the Peruvian jungle, the prevalence of high blood pressure was higher while the prevalence of obesity was lower. Our findings are a call to be aware of the situation of chronic non-communicable diseases in indigenous populations in the Peruvian Amazon.

Hipertensión arterial y obesidad en indígenas asháninkas de la región Junín, Perú / High blood pressure and obesity in indigenous ashaninkas of Junin region, Peru

Con el objetivo de determinar la prevalencia de hipertensión arterial y obesidad en indígenas asháninkas, con limitado contacto con la cultura occidental, se realizó el 2008 un estudio transversal en cinco comunidades asháninkas de la región Junín en la selva del Perú. Se incluyó pobladores de 35 años a más siendo evaluados 76 sujetos (edad promedio 47,4 años, 52,6% mujeres), correspondientes al 43,2% de la población elegible. La prevalencia de hipertensión fue 14,5% (IC 95%: 6,4-22,6) y de obesidad según índice de masa corporal 4% (IC 95%: 0-8,4), sin diferencias según sexo. No hubo diferencias en niveles de presión arterial por grupos de edad. Comparada con estudios previos en pobladores no indígenas de la selva peruana la prevalencia de hipertensión fue elevada. Sin embargo, la prevalencia de obesidad fue baja. Nuestros hallazgos constituyen un llamado para no desatender la situación de las enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles en las poblaciones indígenas de la Amazonia del Perú.

In order to determine the prevalence of high blood pressure and obesity in indigenous Ashaninkas, with limited contact with Western culture, a cross-sectional study was conducted in 2008 in five Ashaninka communities of the Junin region in the jungle of Peru. Individuals aged 35 or older were included. 76 subjects were evaluated (average age 47.4 years old, 52.6 % women) corresponding to 43.2% of the eligible population. The prevalence of hypertension was 14.5% (CI 95%: 6.4-22.6) and the prevalence of obesity, according to body mass index, was 4% (CI 95%: 0-8.4). No differences were observed in gender or in blood pressure levels by age group. Compared with previous studies in non-indigenous people of the Peruvian jungle, the prevalence of high blood pressure was higher while the prevalence of obesity was lower. Our findings are a call to be aware of the situation of chronic non-communicable diseases in indigenous populations in the Peruvian Amazon.

Tuberculosis en poblaciones indígenas del Perú: Los Aimaras del Perú, 2000-2005 / Tuberculosis in indigenous populations in Peru: The Aimara of Peru, 2000-2005

Objetivos: Describir la situación de la tuberculosis en distritos aimaras del Perú, en términos de incidencia y mortalidad, y la relación con la altura y otros indicadores sociales. Material y métodos: Se realizó un estudio ecológico tomando como unidad de análisis a todos los distritos aimaras del país, comparándolos con los no aimaras, en altura, población con alta dependencia económica, población con al menos una necesidad básica insatisfecha (NBI), y hacinamiento.Se realizó un análisis de regresión lineal, que fue complementado con investigación cualitativa. Para el análisis cuantitativo se utilizó el programa estadístico SPSS versión 12.0, y Excel. Resultados: En los distritos aimaras estudiados, se identificó una incidencia promedio de tuberculosis pulmonar frotis positivo (TBP FP) de 33.35 por 100 000 habitantes, con un máximo de 399.39 por 100 000 habitantes, se encontró que las variables estudiadas (población con alta carga o dependencia económica, población con al menos una NBI, hacinamiento y altitud) explicaban parcialmente el modelo (R2 = 0.468), mostrando un R = 0.68. Se identificaron los condicionantes culturales como externo, referido a la migración estacional por trabajo a zonas productivas, y como cultural interactuante, referido a la relación entre la cultura que migra y la que acoge, modificando sus estilos de vida como alimentación y en consecuencia la salud. Conclusiones: Se ha observado que la altura no es el único factor que explica el modelo y que los otros factores sociales estudiados, así como el factor cultural, intervienen para explicar la incidencia de tuberculosis en aimaras.

Objectives: To describe the situation of TB in aimara districts from Peru, in terms of incidence and mortality, and the relationship with altitude and other social indicators. Methods: An ecological study, having as a unit of analysis all the aimara districts of the country, compared with non-aimara districts, by altitude, people with high economic dependence, people with at least one unmet basic need, and overcrowding. We performed a regression analysis, which was complemented with qualitative research methods. For the quantitative analysis we use the statistical program SPSS 12.0 and Excel. Results: In the aimara districts studied, we identified an incidence of smear positive pulmonary TB (TBP FB) of 33.35 per 100 000 habitants, with a maximum of 399.39 per 100 000 habitants, it was found that the variables studied (people with high load or economic dependence,people with at least one unmet basic needs, overcrowding and altitude) partially explain the model (R2 = 0.468), showing an R = 0.68. Cultural conditions were identified as external, related to seasonal migration for work in productive areas, and as cultural interactive, referring to the relationship between the culture that migrates and the one that welcomes, changing lifestyles such as food and thus health. Conclusions: We observed that the altitude is not the only factor that explains the model and that the other factors studied, like social and cultural factors, are involved to explain the incidence of tuberculosis in aimara populations.

Expansion of HIV and syphilis into the Peruvian Amazon: a survey of four communities of an indigenous Amazonian ethnic group.

BACKGROUND: In 2004, cases of HIV and syphilis were reported in an indigenous community in the Peruvian Amazon. This study sought to determine the prevalence of HIV and syphilis in four remote communities of the same indigenous ethnic group located further from an urban center than the original community, and to identify risk factors for HIV and syphilis transmission. METHODS: Rapid and confirmatory tests for HIV and syphilis were performed. A questionnaire elicited demographic information, risk factors for sexually transmitted infections, and knowledge/beliefs about HIV/AIDS. RESULTS: We collected 282 blood samples and conducted interviews with 281 (99.6%) participants. The confirmed syphilis prevalence rate was 3.2% (9/282; 3.7% (5/135) for men and 2.7% (4/147) for women). The confirmed HIV prevalence rate was 0.7% (2/282), with both infections in men who had sex with men (MSM). Self-reported MSM activity was 39.7%. There was poor knowledge about HIV infection, transmission, and prevention, and low acceptance of known prevention methods. CONCLUSIONS: HIV and syphilis are now prevalent in remote Amazonian communities of an indigenous group in Peru. Expansion of the HIV epidemic into the Amazon requires an urgent public health response.

El chacho (alcanzo, hapiruzqa), Síndrome cultural andino: características y tratamiento tradicional en Ayacucho, Perú / Chacho (Alcanzo, Hapiruzqa), Andean cultural syndrome: frequency, characteristics and traditional treatments in Ayacucho, Peru

Objetivos. Conocer el cuadro clínico, formas de diagnóstico y tratamiento de los pacientes que presentan el síndrome conocido como chacho y cuál es su prevalencia sentida en cinco distritos de Ayacucho. Materiales y métodos. Estudio cuali-cuantitativo, que incluyó dos grupos de participantes, el primero (95) fueron pobladores o familiares de éstos, que alguna vez en su vida presentaron chacho, el segundo grupo (11) constituido por curanderos de cada comunidad. Resultados. El chacho (alcanzo, hapiruzqa en quechua), se considera como una enfermedad de origen mágico, caracterizada por presentar fiebre, malestar general, rechazo a algunos derivados lácteos y carne de chancho; en la mayoría de los pacientes se menciona el antecedente de descanso cercano a un cerro o dormir en el suelo (tierra). El tiempo de duración de la enfermedad fue menor de una semana en promedio y se evidenció que el tratamiento incluye, el consumo de gasolina, creso, kerosene, así como el pagapo (pago a la tierra). El consumo de medicamentos agrava la condición de salud del paciente. La prevalencia sentida varió entre 9,1 a 38,0 casos por mil habitantes y la mortalidad sentida entre 3,8 a 16,8 por diez mil habitantes. Conclusiones. El chacho es un síndrome cultural vigente, que debeser reconocido y abordado por el personal de salud, brindándonos así la oportunidad, de armonizar los conocimientos ancestrales de la medicina tradicional con los biomédicos actuales.

Objectives. Knowing the clinical features, diagnose and treatment for patients with the syndrome mean as chacho and what is its perceived prevalence in five districts of Ayacucho (Peruvian Central Andes). Material and methods. Qualiquantitative study, which included two groups of participants, the first (95) were residents or relatives of those who have ever had in your life chacho, the second group (11) formed by traditional healers of every community. Resultados. Chacho (alcanzo, hapiruzqa in quechua), is regarded as a disease of magical origin, characterized by fever, malaise, rejection of some dairy products and pork, in most patients referred the antecedent of a to rest near hill or sleep on the floor (ground ). The duration of the disease was less than a week on average and it was shown that treatment includes the consumption of gasoline, creso (disinfectant), kerosene, as well as the pagapo (Andean ritual of payment to the ground). The consumption of drugs worsens the health condition of patients. Perceived prevalence ranged between 9.1 to 38.0 cases per thousand people habitants, and perceived mortality from 3.8 to 16.8 per ten thousand habitants. Conclusions. Chacho is a present cutlural syndrome, which must be recognized and addressed by health personnel, thus giving them the opportunity to bring the ancestral knowledge of traditional medicine with the current biomedical.

High prevalence of HIV and syphilis in a remote native community of the Peruvian Amazon.

Little data are available on how HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) affect indigenous people in Latin America, including Peru. We conducted a sero-epidemiologic survey of HIV infection and syphilis in a native community, the Chayahuita, an indigenous population in the Amazon region of Peru. The seroprevalences of HIV and syphilis in adults were 7.5% (6 of 80) and 6.3% (5 of 80), respectively. None of the participants had ever used a condom. Male to male sexual behavior was common. At the current levels of HIV prevalence, there is the risk of a negative impact on the survival of the Chayahuita ethnic group as a whole. The outcomes of this study highlight the need for urgent medical and anthropologic approaches to stop HIV transmission in indigenous Amazonian communities.