Fear of COVID-19, risk perception and preventive behavior in health workers: a cross-sectional analysis in middle-income Latin American countries.

The aim of this study was to examine the association between fear of COVID-19 and risk perception with preventive behavior in health professionals from four Latin American countries. An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted. Health professionals with on-site care in Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, and Peru were surveyed. Information was collected through an online self-report questionnaire. The main variables were preventive behavior as the dependent variable and fear of COVID-19 and risk perception as independent variables. Linear regression was used, and unstandardized beta coefficient and value of ps were calculated. Four hundred and thirty-five health professionals were included, the majority were aged 42 years or older (45.29, 95%CI: 40.65-50.01) and female (67.82, 95%CI: 63.27-72.05). It was shown that the greater the fear of COVID-19, the greater the preventive behavior of COVID-19 infection (B = 2.21, p = 0.002 for total behavior; B = 1.12, p = 0.037 for additional protection at work; B = 1.11, p < 0.010 for hand washing). The risk perception of COVID-19 infection had a slight direct relationship with preventive behaviours (B = 0.28, p = 0.021 for total behavior; B = 0.13, p = 0.015 for hand washing), with the exception of the preventive behavior of using additional protection at work (p = 0.339). We found that fear and risk perception are associated with increased practice of hand washing and use of additional protection at work. Further studies are required on the influence of working conditions, job performance and the occurrence of mental health problems in frontline personnel with regard to COVID-19.

Factors Associated with Mortality with Tuberculosis Diagnosis in Indigenous Populations in Peru 2015-2019.

OBJECTIVE: To identify factors associated with mortality in indigenous populations diagnosed with tuberculosis in Peru, 2015-2019. METHODS: We conducted a nested case-control study in a retrospective cohort using the registry of indigenous peoples of the National Health Strategy for TB Prevention and Control of the Ministry of Health of Peru. A descriptive analysis was performed, and then bivariate and multivariate logistic regression was used to evaluate associations between the variables and the outcome (alive-deceased). The results are shown as OR with their respective 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: The mortality rate of the total indigenous population of Peru was 1.75 deaths per 100,000 indigenous people diagnosed with TB. The community of Kukama Kukamiria-Yagua reported 505 (28.48%) individuals, followed by the Shipibo-Konibo community with 385. The final logistic model showed that indigenous males (OR = 1.93; 95% CI: 1.001-3.7) with a history of HIV prior to TB (OR = 16.7; 95% CI: 4.7-58.7), and indigenous people in old age (OR = 2.95; 95% CI: 1.5-5.7) were factors associated with a greater chance of dying from TB. CONCLUSIONS: It is important to reorient health services among indigenous populations, especially those related to improving a timely diagnosis and early treatment of TB/HIV co-infection, to ensure comprehensive care for this population considering that they are vulnerable groups.

Factors associated with knowledge, attitudes and preventive practices towards COVID-19 in health care professionals in Lima, Peru.

Background: Nowadays, we are facing a disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, known globally as COVID-19, which is considered a threat to global health due to its high contagiousness and rapid spread. Methods: Analytical cross-sectional study in 302 health professionals. An online questionnaire consisting of questions about knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) towards COVID-19 was applied. Socio-demographic, occupational and comorbidities factors were explored. Simple and multiple logistic regression models were used to identify factors associated with KAP. Results: Of the total, 25.2%, 31.5% and 37.4% had high levels of knowledge, preventive practices and risk perception attitudes respectively. Being married (aOR=6.75), having a master's degree (aOR= 0.41), having a working day with less than ten hours (ORa=0.49) and obesity (aOR=0.38) were associated with a low level of knowledge of COVID-19. The variables associated with preventive practices were being over the age of 50 (aOR=0.52), working in the hospitalization area (aOR=1.86) and having comorbidities such as arterial hypertension (aOR=0.28) and obesity (aOR=0.35). In relation to negative attitudes towards COVID 19, it was found that physical contact with patients with a confirmed diagnosis (aOR=1.84) and having asthma (aOR=2.13) were associated with these attitudes. Conclusion: Being married, having a master's degree, working less than ten hours were associated with having a low level of knowledge of COVID-19. Being older than 50, working in the hospitalization area were associated with preventive practices. Physical contact with COVID-19 patients was associated with negative attitudes.

Factores asociados al estigma en personas afectadas por tuberculosis en una región peruana de alto riesgo / Factors associated to stigma in people with tuberculosis from a high-risk region in Peru

Introducción: El estigma hacia los afectados por tuberculosis es un desafío importante para el control de la enfermedad. De ahí la necesidad de conocer los factores que lo desencadenan, ya que puede comprometer la adherencia al tratamiento y, por tanto, incremento de complicaciones y mortalidad. Objetivos: Determinar los factores asociados al estigma en personas afectadas por tuberculosis en una región de alto riesgo en el Perú. Métodos: Estudio correlacional en 110 pacientes tratados por tuberculosis. Los factores fueron la funcionalidad familiar medida con la escala de Apgar familiar; las características sociodemográficas y clínicas, los conocimientos sobre la enfermedad y la comunicación médico-paciente, a través de una encuesta. Para el estigma se utilizó la escala de Yang. En el análisis bivariado se utilizó la prueba de chi cuadrado. La relación entre variables se evaluó mediante la correlación de Pearson y la regresión lineal multivariada. Resultados: El nivel de estigma mostró un punto de corte (cutt off) ≥ 9 en 21,3 por ciento en tuberculosis sensible y 69,4 por ciento en tuberculosis multirresistente, con diferencias significativas (p = 0,000). El análisis de regresión lineal multivariado evidenció que el nivel bajo de conocimientos sobre la tuberculosis (ß = -0,32; p = 0,000), bajas puntuaciones en escala Apgar familiar (ß = -0,41; p = <0,000) y la baja comunicación médico-paciente (ß = -0,47; p = 0,000) se asociaron negativamente con estigma. Conclusiones: Se encontró un nivel alto de estigma relacionado con tuberculosis y una asociación negativa entre el estigma con el nivel de conocimientos sobre la enfermedad, la funcionalidad familiar y la comunicación con el médico.(AU)

Introduction: The stigma attached to people with tuberculosis is an important challenge posed to the control of this disease. Hence the need to know what factors trigger it, for they may affect adherence to treatment, increasing complications and mortality. Objectives: Determine the factors associated to stigma in people with tuberculosis from a high-risk region in Peru. Methods: A correlational study was conducted of 110 patients treated for tuberculosis. The factors analyzed were family function as gauged by the Family Apgar scale, sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, knowledge about the disease and doctor-patient communication as measured through a survey. Stigma was determined by Yang's scale. Bivariate analysis was based on the chi-square test, whereas the relationship between variables was evaluated by Pearson's correlation and multivariate linear regression. Results: The level of stigma showed a cut off value ≥ 9 in 21.3 percent in sensitive tuberculosis and 69.4 percent in multiresistant tuberculosis, with significant differences (p = 0.000). Multivariate linear regression analysis found that a low level of knowledge about tuberculosis (ß = -0.32; p = 0.000), low scores on the Family Apgar scale (ß = -0.41; p = <0.000) and poor doctor-patient communication (ß = -0.47; p = 0.000) were negatively associated to stigma. Conclusions: The study found a high level of stigma associated to tuberculosis, as well as a negative association between stigma and knowledge about the disease, family function and communication with the doctor(AU)

Factors related to depression in older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic in two coastal regions of Peru: An analytical cross-sectional study.

Background: Mental health problems such as anxiety, depression and their aggravation have been studied extensively in the general population. However, there are few studies on depression in older adults and the few existing results may be contradictory, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this study is to determine the factors associated with depression in older adults in two coastal regions of Peru during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This study uses an analytical cross-sectional design in a population of older adults, who participated in a non-governmental ambulatory social support program in Callao and Ica, two coastal regions of Peru. We administered an on-site structured questionnaire to record sociodemographic data, the Geriatric Depression Scale by Yesavage to measure depression, and the Barthel Index to assess physical function. In order to determine cognitive impairment as an exclusion criterion, the MEC-30 was used. The association between variables was assessed through contingency tables, using the odds ratio (OR) with its corresponding confidence interval (95% CI) and the X2 test. Finally, a binary logistic regression analysis was performed. Results: Out of the 244 older adults surveyed, 39% had depressive symptoms, of which 28.3% (n=69) and 10.7% (n=26) were moderately and severely depressive, respectively. The findings significantly associated with the presence of depressive symptoms were being 76 years old or older [p=0.005, OR: 2.33, 95% CI: 1.29-4.20], not participating in weekly recreational activities [p=0.004, OR: 2.28, 95% CI: 1.31-3.99] and the presence of comorbidities [p=0.026, OR: 1.88, 95% CI: 1.07-3.29]. Conclusion: There are few studies exploring depression in older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic; this research shows the importance of mental health care in this population and, particularly, of those who are 76 or older because they suffer from comorbid conditions and have interrupted recreational activities.

Determinantes del acceso a los servicios de salud y adherencia al tratamiento de la tuberculosis / Determinants of the access to health services and adherence to TB treatment

Introducción: El papel fundamental de un sistema de salud es responder a las necesidades de la población, lo cual implica desarrollar mecanismos que permitan una prestación integral, accesible y equitativa a sus servicios. Objetivos: Valorar las barreras de acceso a la atención de salud y la adherencia en pacientes con tuberculosis en una región de alta carga en el Perú. Métodos: Investigación de enfoque mixto, realizada en el periodo de enero a septiembre del 2018 en 120 pacientes con tuberculosis. Para el enfoque cuantitativo se realizó un estudio transversal analítico, donde se abordaron preguntas de acceso a servicios de salud utilizando el modelo de Tanahashi. La adherencia al tratamiento fue medida a través del test de Morisky-Green. Para el diseño cualitativo se utilizó la metodología de grupos focales con 30 pacientes para profundizar sus experiencias acerca de los determinantes de acceso. Resultados: La mayoría de las barreras se identificaron en las dimensiones: aceptabilidad, contacto y disponibilidad. Se encontró asociación entre la adherencia al tratamiento y los siguientes indicadores: el temor o vergüenza de atenderse en un servicio de salud, desconfianza con los equipos de salud, percepción de mala calidad de la atención, falta de conciencia de la enfermedad, efectos secundarios de los medicamentos el número y tamaño de las píldoras. Conclusiones: Los hallazgos del presente estudio sugieren la existencia de barreras contextuales y del sistema de salud que impiden el acceso a los pacientes con tuberculosis, y si estas no se tienen en consideración podrían dificultar la adherencia del tratamiento para tuberculosis. Sin embargo, conseguir actuar dentro de una lógica que privilegie una asistencia centrada en el paciente, considerando sus singularidades y autonomía frente al proceso terapéutico puede tornarse una tarea difícil para los servicios de salud donde la demanda supera los recursos y su estructura(AU)

Introduction: The fundamental role of a health system is to respond to the needs of the population, which involves developing mechanisms that enable a comprehensive, accessible and equitable delivery of its services. Objectives: Assess access barriers to health care and adherence in TB patients in a high-burden region of Peru. Methods: Mixed-approach research conducted in the period January to September 2018 in 120 TB patients. For the quantitative approach, an analytical cross-sectional study was conducted, where questions on access to health services were addressed using the Tanahashi model. Adherence to treatment was measured through the Morisky-Green test. For qualitative design, the focus group methodology with 30 patients was used to deepen in their experiences of access determinants. Results: Most barriers were identified in the following dimensions: acceptability, contact and availability. An association was found between adherence to treatment and the following indicators: the fear or shame of being attended in a health service, mistrust with health teams, perception of poor quality of care, lack of awareness of the disease, side effects of medications, the number and size of the pills. Conclusions: The findings of this study suggest contextual and health system barriers that prevent access to TB patients, and if these are not taken into account, they could hinder adherence to TB treatment. However, acting within a logic that favors patient-centered care, considering its uniqueness and autonomy from the therapeutic process can become a difficult task for health services where demand exceeds the resources and their structure(AU)