Healthcare and Health Problems from the Perspective of Indigenous Population of the Peruvian Amazon: A Qualitative Study.

Indigenous communities usually experience higher levels of mortality and poorer access to healthcare services compared to non-indigenous communities. This study aims to understand the most prevalent health problems and their treatment in the Asháninka indigenous communities of the Peruvian Amazon. We conducted an ethnographic study in order to explore the perceived health problems, the use of traditional medicine and the resources offered by the official Peruvian healthcare system. Field notes and semi-structured interviews were used. A total of 16 indigenous and four non-indigenous people were interviewed, and interpretative analysis was used to identify themes. The Asháninka community is an overlooked population, which, due to distance restrictions, misconceptions and ethnical disparities, is far away from an appropriate healthcare system and is subjected to acute medical conditions such as infections and gastrointestinal problems. This group tends to seek traditional medicine, mostly herbal medications and traditional healers. The use of a health professional is seen as a last resort. Although the official Peruvian health system incorporates community participation strategies to improve the healthcare of indigenous people, the shortage of material, human resources and cultural sensitivity makes this difficult. Healthcare strategies should be devised and implemented in order to minimize health inequality in this population.

Incumplimiento terapéutico en úlceras vasculares: caso clínico / Therapeutic breach in vascular ulcers: clinical case

Se presenta un caso clínico donde la paciente manifiesta una sintomatología derivada del incumplimiento del régimen terapéutico prescrito para las úlceras vasculares que presenta en ambos miembros inferiores. Tras la valoración, se determina que los factores asociados al incumplimiento son el desencadenante de los síntomas referidos, revisándose y modificándose el plan de cuidados establecido. Con esta actuación se contribuyo a la evolución favorable de las lesiones y a un mayor control del tratamiento por parte de la paciente. Se debe reconocer todos los factores que influyen en la atención a la población y del manejo del lenguaje enfermero. El cuidado holístico debe primar en la atención enfermera, de manera que permita detectar este tipo de situaciones y planificar las actuaciones concretas para cada problemática de cada persona.

A clinical case is presented where the patient manifests a symptomatology derived from non-compliance with the prescribed therapeutic regimen for vascular ulcers presented in both lower limbs. After the assessment, it is determined that the factors associated with non-compliance are the trigger of the referred symptoms, reviewing and modifying the established care plan. This action contributed to the favorable evolution of the lesions and to a greater control of the treatment by the patient. All factors that influence population care and nursing language management must be recognized. Holistic care should take priority in nursing care, so that it can detect these types of situations and plan specific actions for each problem of each person.