Men With Type II Diabetes in Peru: The Role of Masculine Gender Norms in the Perception of Family Support.

Type II diabetes is increasingly becoming a problem in Latin American countries such as Peru. People living with diabetes must incorporate several behavioral changes in their everyday lives, which are done outside the purview of medical professionals. Support from friends and family members is essential to the successful management of any chronic condition. Our study discusses the role of family involvement in supporting the management of diabetes among Peruvian men and examines how masculine norms play a role in the way such support is received and perceived, and their influence in motivation to adhere to treatment recommendations. In-depth interviews with 20 men from a low socioeconomic status, aged 27 to 68 with a diagnosis of Type II diabetes were conducted. Our analysis suggests the importance of the close, complex, and integrated experience that connects family members and patients with a chronic condition. Participant accounts demonstrate they receive multiple forms of support from a diverse range of social relationships. The overwhelming majority of the people giving the support were female and were especially significant in supporting management practices. The participants' accounts were able to demonstrate how living with a chronic condition, such as diabetes, affects the whole family-physically, mentally, and emotionally-and they experience the disease as one unit. Our study demonstrates the need for a family health experience approach that considers masculine gender norms around health and provides relevant insights to inform family-based treatments and therapies to allow for more and better targeted health care for men.

"I want to be there for my children": fatherhood, diabetes and temporality among Peruvian men.

Introduction: Living with a chronic condition is a challenging experience, as it can disrupt your capacity to function and fulfill social roles such as being a father. Fatherhood constitutes an important component of masculinity that has not received significant attention in studies aimed at understanding the role of gender norms in health-related behaviors. Fatherhood refers to the set of social expectations placed on men to provide, protect, and care for those considered his children. Our paper aims to show the importance of understanding men's perspectives around fatherhood and its relevance for staying healthy. Methods: In-depth semi-structured interviews with men living with Type 2 diabetes in Peru to explore their experiences with diabetes management. Results: Eighteen Peruvian men, diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes for at least one year and with ages between 27 and 59 years old were interviewed. They had an average of three children each and were all insured under the national insurance plan aimed at low-income groups in Peru. Their accounts described their concern of not being able to fulfill their roles as fathers as a result of their condition. They mentioned the importance of being physically and emotionally present in the lives of their children, taking care of them, and being an example. These concerns varied depending on the age of their children: those with younger children were more preoccupied with ensuring they stayed healthy. Temporality provides a relevant analytical approach to understand the interplay of fatherhood and motivation for diabetes management. Discussion: Our study advances the research around the intersection between health and gender norms and argues that a more nuanced understanding of the construction of masculinity and the relevance of fatherhood in the lives of men could be useful to design and identify better health promotion strategies tailored to men with diabetes.

[Responding to the sexual and reproductive health needs of Venezuelan migrant women in LimaResposta às necessidades de saúde sexual e reprodutiva de migrantes venezuelanas em Lima]. / Respondiendo a las necesidades de salud sexual y reproductiva de las migrantes venezolanas en Lima.

Objectives: To present and analyze the Peruvian health system's response to the sexual and reproductive health needs of Venezuelan women living in the city of Lima, Peru, and to identify some of the reasons underlying this response. Methods: Information was collected through semi-structured, in-depth telephone interviews with 30 Venezuelan women, 10 healthcare workers, and two Ministry of Health officials. Results: Based on the experiences of Venezuelan women who sought care through these services during 2019-2020 and the perspectives of healthcare personnel and health authorities, we present an analysis of the public health services' capacity and limitations in meeting the sexual and reproductive health needs of this population. Migrant women's testimonies reported a positive experience with a health system that, despite shortcomings, responds to the most common sexual and reproductive health needs. These perspectives parallel the testimonies of healthcare personnel and authorities who emphasized the existence of priority policies for sexual and reproductive health care. Conclusion: This study shows how a national priority framework (reducing maternal mortality), accompanied by operational mechanisms for social protection (such as the Comprehensive Health Insurance program), represent complementary instruments that have a positive impact on and extend benefits to migrants, even though this population was not considered when designing these policies.

Objetivo: Apresentar e analisar a resposta do sistema de saúde peruano às necessidades de saúde sexual e reprodutiva de mulheres venezuelanas radicadas em Lima, Peru, e identificar algumas explicações para essa resposta. Métodos: Entrevistas telefônicas semiestruturadas detalhadas com 30 mulheres venezuelanas, 10 profissionais de saúde e 2 funcionários do Ministério da Saúde. Resultados: Com base nas experiências das mulheres venezuelanas que recorreram a esses serviços no período de 2019 a 2020 e nas perspectivas de profissionais e autoridades de saúde, apresentamos uma análise da capacidade e das limitações dos serviços de saúde pública para atender às necessidades de saúde sexual e reprodutiva dessa população. Os relatos das mulheres migrantes indicam uma experiência positiva com um sistema de saúde, que, apesar das deficiências, responde às necessidades mais comuns de saúde sexual e reprodutiva. Isso está em conformidade com os relatos dos profissionais de saúde e das autoridades, que enfatizam a existência de políticas prioritárias de atenção à saúde sexual e reprodutiva. Conclusão: Este estudo mostra de que maneira um âmbito de prioridade nacional (reduzir a mortalidade materna) e mecanismos operacionais de proteção social (como o Seguro Integral de Saúde) se convertem em instrumentos complementares, afetando positivamente e estendendo benefícios à população migrante, embora essa população não tenha sido levada em consideração quando da elaboração dessas políticas.

Respondiendo a las necesidades de salud sexual y reproductiva de las migrantes venezolanas en Lima

[RESUMEN]. Objetivo. Presentar y analizar la respuesta que el sistema de salud peruano viene dando a las necesidades en salud sexual y reproductiva de las mujeres venezolanas que radican en la ciudad de Lima, Perú e identificar algunas de las razones que nos permite entender esta respuesta. Métodos. La información se recogió mediante entrevistas a profundidad semiestructuradas por vía telefónica a 30 mujeres venezolanas, 10 trabajadores de salud y 2 funcionarios del Ministerio de Salud. Resultados. A partir de las experiencias de mujeres venezolanas que acudieron a estos servicios durante el 2019-2020 y de las perspectivas del personal y autoridades de salud presentamos un análisis de la capacidad y limitaciones que los servicios de salud públicos tienen para atender las necesidades de salud sexual y reproductiva de esta población. Los testimonios de las mujeres migrantes reportan una experiencia positiva con un sistema de salud que, a pesar de las deficiencias, responde a las necesidades de salud sexual y reproductiva más comunes. Estas coinciden con los testimonios del personal de salud y con las de las autoridades quienes enfatizan la existencia de políticas prioritarias para la atención de la Salud Sexual y Reproductiva. Conclusión. Este estudio muestra cómo un marco de prioridad nacional (disminuir la mortalidad materna), acompañado de mecanismos operativos de protección social (como el Seguro Integral de Salud), se convierten en instrumentos complementarios, que repercute de manera positiva y extiende beneficios para las y los migrantes, a pesar de no haber considerado a esta población durante el diseño de estas políticas.

[ABSTRACT]. Objectives. To present and analyze the Peruvian health system's response to the sexual and reproductive health needs of Venezuelan women living in the city of Lima, Peru, and to identify some of the reasons under- lying this response. Methods. Information was collected through semi-structured, in-depth telephone interviews with 30 Venezuelan women, 10 healthcare workers, and two Ministry of Health officials. Results. Based on the experiences of Venezuelan women who sought care through these services during 2019-2020 and the perspectives of healthcare personnel and health authorities, we present an analysis of the public health services' capacity and limitations in meeting the sexual and reproductive health needs of this population. Migrant women's testimonies reported a positive experience with a health system that, despite shortcomings, responds to the most common sexual and reproductive health needs. These perspectives parallel the testimonies of healthcare personnel and authorities who emphasized the existence of priority policies for sexual and reproductive health care. Conclusion. This study shows how a national priority framework (reducing maternal mortality), accompanied by operational mechanisms for social protection (such as the Comprehensive Health Insurance program), represent complementary instruments that have a positive impact on and extend benefits to migrants, even though this population was not considered when designing these policies.

[RESUMO]. Objetivo. Apresentar e analisar a resposta do sistema de saúde peruano às necessidades de saúde sexual e reprodutiva de mulheres venezuelanas radicadas em Lima, Peru, e identificar algumas explicações para essa resposta. Métodos. Entrevistas telefônicas semiestruturadas detalhadas com 30 mulheres venezuelanas, 10 profissionais de saúde e 2 funcionários do Ministério da Saúde. Resultados. Com base nas experiências das mulheres venezuelanas que recorreram a esses serviços no período de 2019 a 2020 e nas perspectivas de profissionais e autoridades de saúde, apresentamos uma análise da capacidade e das limitações dos serviços de saúde pública para atender às necessidades de saúde sexual e reprodutiva dessa população. Os relatos das mulheres migrantes indicam uma experiência positiva com um sistema de saúde, que, apesar das deficiências, responde às necessidades mais comuns de saúde sexual e reprodutiva. Isso está em conformidade com os relatos dos profissionais de saúde e das autoridades, que enfatizam a existência de políticas prioritárias de atenção à saúde sexual e reprodutiva. Conclusão. Este estudo mostra de que maneira um âmbito de prioridade nacional (reduzir a mortalidade materna) e mecanismos operacionais de proteção social (como o Seguro Integral de Saúde) se convertem em instrumentos complementares, afetando positivamente e estendendo benefícios à população migrante, embora essa população não tenha sido levada em consideração quando da elaboração dessas políticas.

Respondiendo a las necesidades de salud sexual y reproductiva de las migrantes venezolanas en Lima / Responding to the sexual and reproductive health needs of Venezuelan migrant women in Lima / Resposta às necessidades de saúde sexual e reprodutiva de migrantes venezuelanas em Lima

RESUMEN Objetivo. Presentar y analizar la respuesta que el sistema de salud peruano viene dando a las necesidades en salud sexual y reproductiva de las mujeres venezolanas que radican en la ciudad de Lima, Perú e identificar algunas de las razones que nos permite entender esta respuesta. Métodos. La información se recogió mediante entrevistas a profundidad semiestructuradas por vía telefónica a 30 mujeres venezolanas, 10 trabajadores de salud y 2 funcionarios del Ministerio de Salud. Resultados. A partir de las experiencias de mujeres venezolanas que acudieron a estos servicios durante el 2019-2020 y de las perspectivas del personal y autoridades de salud presentamos un análisis de la capacidad y limitaciones que los servicios de salud públicos tienen para atender las necesidades de salud sexual y reproductiva de esta población. Los testimonios de las mujeres migrantes reportan una experiencia positiva con un sistema de salud que, a pesar de las deficiencias, responde a las necesidades de salud sexual y reproductiva más comunes. Estas coinciden con los testimonios del personal de salud y con las de las autoridades quienes enfatizan la existencia de políticas prioritarias para la atención de la Salud Sexual y Reproductiva. Conclusión. Este estudio muestra cómo un marco de prioridad nacional (disminuir la mortalidad materna), acompañado de mecanismos operativos de protección social (como el Seguro Integral de Salud), se convierten en instrumentos complementarios, que repercute de manera positiva y extiende beneficios para las y los migrantes, a pesar de no haber considerado a esta población durante el diseño de estas políticas.

ABSTRACT Objectives. To present and analyze the Peruvian health system's response to the sexual and reproductive health needs of Venezuelan women living in the city of Lima, Peru, and to identify some of the reasons underlying this response. Methods. Information was collected through semi-structured, in-depth telephone interviews with 30 Venezuelan women, 10 healthcare workers, and two Ministry of Health officials. Results. Based on the experiences of Venezuelan women who sought care through these services during 2019-2020 and the perspectives of healthcare personnel and health authorities, we present an analysis of the public health services' capacity and limitations in meeting the sexual and reproductive health needs of this population. Migrant women's testimonies reported a positive experience with a health system that, despite shortcomings, responds to the most common sexual and reproductive health needs. These perspectives parallel the testimonies of healthcare personnel and authorities who emphasized the existence of priority policies for sexual and reproductive health care. Conclusion. This study shows how a national priority framework (reducing maternal mortality), accompanied by operational mechanisms for social protection (such as the Comprehensive Health Insurance program), represent complementary instruments that have a positive impact on and extend benefits to migrants, even though this population was not considered when designing these policies.

RESUMO Objetivo. Apresentar e analisar a resposta do sistema de saúde peruano às necessidades de saúde sexual e reprodutiva de mulheres venezuelanas radicadas em Lima, Peru, e identificar algumas explicações para essa resposta. Métodos. Entrevistas telefônicas semiestruturadas detalhadas com 30 mulheres venezuelanas, 10 profissionais de saúde e 2 funcionários do Ministério da Saúde. Resultados. Com base nas experiências das mulheres venezuelanas que recorreram a esses serviços no período de 2019 a 2020 e nas perspectivas de profissionais e autoridades de saúde, apresentamos uma análise da capacidade e das limitações dos serviços de saúde pública para atender às necessidades de saúde sexual e reprodutiva dessa população. Os relatos das mulheres migrantes indicam uma experiência positiva com um sistema de saúde, que, apesar das deficiências, responde às necessidades mais comuns de saúde sexual e reprodutiva. Isso está em conformidade com os relatos dos profissionais de saúde e das autoridades, que enfatizam a existência de políticas prioritárias de atenção à saúde sexual e reprodutiva. Conclusão. Este estudo mostra de que maneira um âmbito de prioridade nacional (reduzir a mortalidade materna) e mecanismos operacionais de proteção social (como o Seguro Integral de Saúde) se convertem em instrumentos complementares, afetando positivamente e estendendo benefícios à população migrante, embora essa população não tenha sido levada em consideração quando da elaboração dessas políticas.

Perceptions of acceptance and reluctance to COVID-19 vaccination in Peru. / Percepciones de aceptabilidad y reticencia a las vacunas contra la COVID-19 en el Perú.

OBJECTIVES.: To explore factors that influence the acceptance or reluctance to COVID-19 vaccination using qualitative methods. MATERIALS AND METHODS.: Descriptive qualitative study conducted between April and June 2021. A semi-structured interview guide was used to explore the perceptions of participants from different regions of Peru regarding COVID-19 vaccination. The Health Belief Model was used as theoretical framework and its dimensions are: susceptibility, severity, benefits, barriers, and cues to action. RESULTS.: We interviewed 30 people, mostly were women. For the participants, the efficacy of vaccines is related to the country of origin of the vaccines; in addition, they consider that it is important to know the long-term effects on health after vaccination. The information received by governmental and health authorities can be a decisive factor for vaccination. People with the intention of not being vaccinated feel that vaccination promotion strategies violate their human rights. CONCLUSIONS.: There is a group of people undecided or unsure about receiving COVID-19 vaccines who need to be encouraged according to their concerns and needs. Governmental and health authorities should work together to improve the confidence of the population and provide messages to clarify doubts about the efficacy and adverse reactions of vaccines.

OBJETIVOS.: Explorar los factores que predisponen la aceptabilidad o reticencia a la vacunación contra la COVID-19 utilizando métodos cualitativos. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS.: Estudio cualitativo descriptivo realizado entre abril y junio del 2021. Se utilizó una guía de entrevista semiestructurada que exploró las percepciones de los participantes de diferentes regiones del Perú con relación a la aplicación de la vacuna para la COVID-19, tomando como marco teórico el modelo de creencias en salud, cuyas dimensiones son: susceptibilidad, severidad, beneficios, barreras y estímulos asociados para ejecutar la acción. RESULTADOS.: Se entrevistó a treinta personas, en su mayoría mujeres. Para los participantes la eficacia de las vacunas se relaciona con el país de procedencia, además, consideran que es importante conocer los efectos a largo plazo en la salud luego de la aplicación de la vacuna. La información recibida por las autoridades gubernamentales y sanitarias puede ser un factor decisivo para la aplicación de la vacuna. Las personas con la intención de no vacunarse sienten que las estrategias de promoción de la vacunación vulneran sus derechos humanos. CONCLUSIONES.: Existe un grupo de personas indecisas o inseguras de recibir las vacunas contra la COVID-19 en quienes es necesario fomentar estímulos de acuerdo con sus preocupaciones y necesidades. Las autoridades gubernamentales y sanitarias deben trabajar conjuntamente para mejorar la confianza de la población y brindar mensajes que despejen las principales dudas sobre la eficacia y las reacciones adversas de las vacunas.

Percepciones de aceptabilidad y reticencia a las vacunas contra la COVID-19 en el Perú / Perceptions of acceptance and reluctance to COVID-19 vaccination in Peru

RESUMEN Objetivos. Explorar los factores que predisponen la aceptabilidad o reticencia a la vacunación contra la COVID-19 utilizando métodos cualitativos. Materiales y métodos. Estudio cualitativo descriptivo realizado entre abril y junio del 2021. Se utilizó una guía de entrevista semiestructurada que exploró las percepciones de los participantes de diferentes regiones del Perú con relación a la aplicación de la vacuna para la COVID-19, tomando como marco teórico el modelo de creencias en salud, cuyas dimensiones son: susceptibilidad, severidad, beneficios, barreras y estímulos asociados para ejecutar la acción. Resultados. Se entrevistó a treinta personas, en su mayoría mujeres. Para los participantes la eficacia de las vacunas se relaciona con el país de procedencia, además, consideran que es importante conocer los efectos a largo plazo en la salud luego de la aplicación de la vacuna. La información recibida por las autoridades gubernamentales y sanitarias puede ser un factor decisivo para la aplicación de la vacuna. Las personas con la intención de no vacunarse sienten que las estrategias de promoción de la vacunación vulneran sus derechos humanos. Conclusiones. Existe un grupo de personas indecisas o inseguras de recibir las vacunas contra la COVID-19 en quienes es necesario fomentar estímulos de acuerdo con sus preocupaciones y necesidades. Las autoridades gubernamentales y sanitarias deben trabajar conjuntamente para mejorar la confianza de la población y brindar mensajes que despejen las principales dudas sobre la eficacia y las reacciones adversas de las vacunas.

ABSTRACT Objectives. To explore factors that influence the acceptance or reluctance to COVID-19 vaccination using qualitative methods. Materials and methods. Descriptive qualitative study conducted between April and June 2021. A semi-structured interview guide was used to explore the perceptions of participants from different regions of Peru regarding COVID-19 vaccination. The Health Belief Model was used as theoretical framework and its dimensions are: susceptibility, severity, benefits, barriers, and cues to action. Results. We interviewed 30 people, mostly were women. For the participants, the efficacy of vaccines is related to the country of origin of the vaccines; in addition, they consider that it is important to know the long-term effects on health after vaccination. The information received by governmental and health authorities can be a decisive factor for vaccination. People with the intention of not being vaccinated feel that vaccination promotion strategies violate their human rights. Conclusions. There is a group of people undecided or unsure about receiving COVID-19 vaccines who need to be encouraged according to their concerns and needs. Governmental and health authorities should work together to improve the confidence of the population and provide messages to clarify doubts about the efficacy and adverse reactions of vaccines.

Design of financial incentive interventions to improve lifestyle behaviors and health outcomes: A systematic review.

Background: Financial incentives may improve the initiation and engagement of behaviour change that reduce the negative outcomes associated with non-communicable diseases. There is still a paucity in guidelines or recommendations that help define key aspects of incentive-oriented interventions, including the type of incentive (e.g. cash rewards, vouchers), the frequency and magnitude of the incentive, and its mode of delivery.  We aimed to systematically review the literature on financial incentives that promote healthy lifestyle behaviours or improve health profiles, and focused on the methodological approach to define the incentive intervention and its delivery. The protocol was registered at PROSPERO on 26 July 2018 ( CRD42018102556). Methods: We sought studies in which a financial incentive was delivered to improve a health-related lifestyle behaviour (e.g., physical activity) or a health profile (e.g., HbA1c in people with diabetes). The search (which took place on March 3 rd 2018) was conducted using OVID (MEDLINE and Embase), CINAHL and Scopus. Results: The search yielded 7,575 results and 37 were included for synthesis. Of the total, 83.8% (31/37) of the studies were conducted in the US, and 40.5% (15/37) were randomised controlled trials. Only one study reported the background and rationale followed to develop the incentive and conducted a focus group to understand what sort of incentives would be acceptable for their study population. There was a degree of consistency across the studies in terms of the direction, form, certainty, and recipient of the financial incentives used, but the magnitude and immediacy of the incentives were heterogeneous. Conclusions: The available literature on financial incentives to improve health-related lifestyles rarely reports on the rationale or background that defines the incentive approach, the magnitude of the incentive and other relevant details of the intervention, and the reporting of this information is essential to foster its use as potential effective interventions.

[Healthcare challenges for people with diabetes during the national state of emergency due to COVID-19 in Lima, Peru: primary healthcare recommendations]. / Los retos del cuidado de las personas con diabetes durante el estado de emergencia nacional por COVID-19 en Lima, Perú: recomendaciones para la atención primaria.

Patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus, who then become infected with SARS-CoV-2, are at greater risk of developing complications from COVID-19, which may even lead to death. Diabetes is a chronic condition that requires continuous contact with healthcare facilities; therefore, this type of patients should have regular access to medicines, tests and appointments with healthcare personnel. In Peru, care and treatment continuity have been affected since the national state of emergency due to COVID-19 began; because many healthcare facilities suspended outpatient consultations. The strategies presented in this study were developed by different Peruvian health providers in the pandemic context to ensure care continuity for people with diabetes. This article provides recommendations to strengthen primary healthcare, because it is the first level of healthcare contact for patients with diabetes.

Las personas con diabetes mellitus tipo 2 infectadas por SARS-CoV-2 tienen mayores riesgos de desarrollar COVID-19 con complicaciones y de morir como consecuencia de ella. La diabetes es una condición crónica en la que se requiere continuidad de cuidados que implican un contacto con los establecimientos de salud, pues deben tener acceso regular a medicamentos, exámenes y citas con personal de salud. Esta continuidad de cuidados se ha visto afectada en el Perú a raíz de la declaratoria del estado de emergencia nacional, producto de la pandemia por la COVID-19 pues muchos establecimientos de salud han suspendido las consultas externas. Este artículo describe algunas estrategias que han desarrollado los diferentes proveedores de salud peruanos en el marco de la pandemia para proveer continuidad del cuidado a las personas con diabetes y finalmente brinda recomendaciones para que reciban los cuidados que necesitan a través del fortalecimiento del primer nivel de atención, como el punto de contacto más cercano con las personas con diabetes.

Patients' perceptions of self-management of high blood pressure in three low- and middle-income countries: findings from the BPMONITOR study.

Hypertension is the leading risk factor for global disease burden. Self-management of high blood pressure (BP) through self-monitoring and self-titration of medications, has proved to be one successful and cost-effective tool to achieve better BP control in many high-income countries but not much is known about its potential in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). We used semi-structured questionnaires and focus groups in three LMICs; Peru, Cameroon and Malawi to examine perceptions and attitudes of patients diagnosed with essential hypertension towards living with hypertension, BP measurement and treatment, patient-physician relationship and opinions about self-management of high blood pressure. Results in all three countries were comparable. Patients showed varied levels of health literacy related to hypertension. BP measurement habits were mostly affected by resources available and caregiver support. Treatment and adherence to it were primarily affected by cost. Most patients were welcoming of the idea of self-management but skeptical about the ability to do self-monitoring accurately and the safety involving self-titration of medications.

Los retos del cuidado de las personas con diabetes durante el estado de emergencia nacional por COVID-19 en Lima, Perú: recomendaciones para la atención primaria / Healthcare challenges for people with diabetes during the national state of emergency due to COVID-19 in Lima, Peru: primary healthcare recommendations

RESUMEN Las personas con diabetes mellitus tipo 2 infectadas por SARS-CoV-2 tienen mayores riesgos de desarrollar COVID-19 con complicaciones y de morir como consecuencia de ella. La diabetes es una condición crónica en la que se requiere continuidad de cuidados que implican un contacto con los establecimientos de salud, pues deben tener acceso regular a medicamentos, exámenes y citas con personal de salud. Esta continuidad de cuidados se ha visto afectada en el Perú a raíz de la declaratoria del estado de emergencia nacional, producto de la pandemia por la COVID-19 pues muchos establecimientos de salud han suspendido las consultas externas. Este artículo describe algunas estrategias que han desarrollado los diferentes proveedores de salud peruanos en el marco de la pandemia para proveer continuidad del cuidado a las personas con diabetes y finalmente brinda recomendaciones para que reciban los cuidados que necesitan a través del fortalecimiento del primer nivel de atención, como el punto de contacto más cercano con las personas con diabetes.

ABSTRACT Patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus, who then become infected with SARS-CoV-2, are at greater risk of developing complications from COVID-19, which may even lead to death. Diabetes is a chronic condition that requires continuous contact with healthcare facilities; therefore, this type of patients should have regular access to medicines, tests and appointments with healthcare personnel. In Peru, care and treatment continuity have been affected since the national state of emergency due to COVID-19 began; because many healthcare facilities suspended outpatient consultations. The strategies presented in this study were developed by different Peruvian health providers in the pandemic context to ensure care continuity for people with diabetes. This article provides recommendations to strengthen primary healthcare, because it is the first level of healthcare contact for patients with diabetes.

Lessons learned about co-creation: developing a complex intervention in rural Peru.

Background: Co-creation is the process of involving stakeholders in the development of interventions. Although co-creation is becoming more widespread, reports of the process and lessons learned are scarce.Objective: To describe the process and lessons learned from using the COHESION manual, a co-creation methodology to develop interventions aimed at the improvement of diagnosis and/or management of chronic diseases at the primary healthcare level in a low-resource setting in Peru.Methods: Observational study to describe the use of the COHESION manual 'Moving from Research to Interventions: The COHESION Model' developed for a multi-country project in low- and middle-income countries for co-creation and the adaptations needed to customize it to the local context of rural communities in northern Peru.Results: The actual process of co-creation in Peru included co-creation-related questions in the formative research; an initial consultation with stakeholders at the micro, meso, and macro levels (e.g. community members, health workers, and policy-makers); the analysis of the collected data; a second consultation with each stakeholder group; the prioritization of intervention options; and finally the design of a theory of change for all activities included in the complex intervention. The complex intervention included: 1) offer training in specific diseases and soft skills to health workers, 2) create radio programs that promote chronic disease prevention and management plus empower patients to ask questions during their visits to primary health care (PHC) facilities, and 3) provide a small grant to the PHC for infrastructure improvement. Small adaptations to the COHESION manual were necessary for this co-creation process.Conclusion: This study provides a practical example of the process of co-creating complex interventions to increase access and quality of health care in a low-resource setting. The process, components, challenges and opportunities identified could be useful for other researchers who want to co-create interventions with beneficiaries in similar settings.

Effect of salt substitution on community-wide blood pressure and hypertension incidence.

Replacement of regular salt with potassium-enriched substitutes reduces blood pressure in controlled situations, mainly among people with hypertension. We report on a population-wide implementation of this strategy in a stepped-wedge cluster randomized trial (NCT01960972). The regular salt in enrolled households was retrieved and replaced, free of charge, with a combination of 75% NaCl and 25% KCl. A total of 2,376 participants were enrolled in 6 villages in Tumbes, Peru. The fully adjusted intention-to-treat analysis showed an average reduction of 1.29 mm Hg (95% confidence interval (95% CI) (-2.17, -0.41)) in systolic and 0.76 mm Hg (95% CI (-1.39, -0.13)) in diastolic blood pressure. Among participants without hypertension at baseline, in the time- and cluster-adjusted model, the use of the salt substitute was associated with a 51% (95% CI (29%, 66%)) reduced risk of developing hypertension compared with the control group. In 24-h urine samples, there was no evidence of differences in sodium levels (mean difference 0.01; 95% CI (0.25, -0.23)), but potassium levels were higher at the end of the study than at baseline (mean difference 0.63; 95% CI (0.78, 0.47)). Our results support a case for implementing a pragmatic, population-wide, salt-substitution strategy for reducing blood pressure and hypertension incidence.

Vulnerable populations and the right to health: lessons from the Peruvian Amazon around tuberculosis control.

BACKGROUND: In 2014 the World Health Organization (WHO) launched the "End TB Strategy", setting new ambitious goals for elimination of tuberculosis (TB). In contrast with previous efforts to control TB, the new strategy adopted the protection and promotion of human rights in TB prevention and care as a core pillar. This mandated the development of national programmes that are sensitive to the characteristics of populations and responsive to structural factors that put people at increased risk of exposure to TB, limit access to good quality health services and make people more vulnerable to TB infection. Indigenous people living in the Peruvian Amazon have been identified as a TB vulnerable group by Peruvian health authorities. This article examines the barriers faced by indigenous people and rural settlers from the Peruvian Amazon in obtaining a TB diagnosis and appropriate TB treatment, through the principles of the human rights based approach of accessibility, availability, affordability, adaptability and quality, and thus provides evidence of the utility of such approach in Peru. METHODS: This is a qualitative study. We combined information from policy documents and legal regulations and in-depth interviews with health workers and health authorities. We used Atlas-ti to conduct a thematic analysis and identify interviewees responses to pre-defined topics. RESULTS: Despite having a strong legal framework to protect the right to health of indigenous people and people affected by TB, there are underlying structural factors contributing to delays in detection, diagnosis and TB treatment, which are mostly related to having a health system poorly prepared to provide care for people living in dispersed rural communities. This article shows the limited level of integration of the "End TB Strategy" principles in the Peruvian National TB Programme and identifies the weakness of the health system to improve health care provision for indigenous people and rural settlers from the Peruvian Amazon. CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows the need to go beyond developing a strong legal framework to ensure vulnerable populations such as indigenous people are able to realize their right to health. Governments need to allocate funds, improve training and adapt healthcare provision to the cultural, geographical, and social context of indigenous people.

Food Perceptions and Dietary Changes for Chronic Condition Management in Rural Peru: Insights for Health Promotion.

Peru is undergoing a nutrition transition and, at the country level, it faces a double burden of disease where several different conditions require dietary changes to maintain a healthy life and prevent complications. Through semistructured interviews in rural Peru with people affected by three infectious and noninfectious chronic conditions (type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and neurocysticercosis), their relatives, and focus group discussions with community members, we analyzed their perspectives on the value of food and the challenges of dietary changes due to medical diagnosis. The findings show the various ways in which people from rural northern Peru conceptualize good (buena alimentación) and bad (mala alimentación) food, and that food choices are based on life-long learning, experience, exposure, and availability. In the context of poverty, required changes are not only related to what people recognize as healthy food, such as fruits and vegetables, but also of work, family, trust, taste, as well as affordability and accessibility of foods. In this paper we discuss the complexity of introducing dietary changes in poor rural communities whose perspectives on food are poorly understood and rarely taken into consideration by health professionals when promoting behavior change.

Family Support and Diabetes: Patient's Experiences From a Public Hospital in Peru.

Family support is crucial for managing chronic conditions but it is often overlooked when designing behavioral interventions in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). As part of the formative phase of a feasibility randomized control trial (RCT), we conducted 20 semistructured interviews with people with T2DM from Lima, Peru. Based on such results, we describe the support people with T2DM receive from their families and the role that such support has in their efforts to implement diabetes management practices. We learned that participants receive support from family members, but mostly from their spouses and children. Their relatives encourage them and motivate them to fight for their health, they also provide instrumental support by preparing healthy meals, reminding them to take medications, and sharing physical activity. Participants also reported controlling actions which were not always "well received." Thus, any intervention supporting self-management practices need to work with key family members. We support the literature that suggests that interventions should target family members to ensure improved T2DM self-management practices.

A descriptive study of potential participant preferences for the design of an incentivised weight loss programme for people with type 2 diabetes mellitus attending a public hospital in Lima, Peru.

Background: Weight loss is important for the control of type 2 diabetes mellitus but is difficult to achieve and sustain. Programmes employing financial incentives have been successful in areas such as smoking cessation. However, the optimum design for an incentivised programme for weight loss is undetermined, and may depend on social, cultural and demographic factors. Methods: An original questionnaire was designed whose items addressed respondent personal and health characteristics, and preferences for a hypothetical incentivised weight loss programme. One hundred people with type 2 diabetes mellitus were recruited to complete the questionnaire from the endocrinology clinic of a public hospital in Lima, Peru. A descriptive analysis of responses was performed. Results: Ninety-five percent of subjects who had previously attempted to lose weight had found this either 'difficult' or 'very difficult'. Eighty-five percent of subjects would participate in an incentivised weight loss programme. Median suggested incentive for 1 kg weight loss every 2 weeks over 9 months was PEN 100 (~USD $30). Cash was preferred by 70% as payment method. Only 56% of subjects would participate in a deposit-contract scheme, and the median suggested deposit amount was PEN 20 (~USD $6). Eighty percent of subjects would share the incentive with a helper, and family members were the most common choice of helper. Conclusions: The challenge of achieving and sustaining weight loss is confirmed in this setting. Direct cash payments of PEN 100 were generally preferred, with substantial scope for involving a co-participant with whom the incentive could be shared. Employing direct financial incentives in future weight loss programmes appears to be widely acceptable among people with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

The effect of individual and mixed rewards on diabetes management: A feasibility randomized controlled trial.

Background: Incentives play a role in introducing health-related benefits, but no interventions using mixed incentives, i.e. a combination of individual and group incentives, have been tested in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). We evaluated the feasibility of implementing individual- and mixed-incentives, with and without a supportive partner, on glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) control and weight loss among patients with T2DM. Methods: This is a feasibility, sex-stratified, single-blinded, randomized controlled study in individuals with T2DM. All participants received diabetes education and tailored goal setting for weight and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c). Participants were randomly assigned into three arms: individual incentives (Arm 1), mixed incentives-altruism (Arm 2), and mixed incentives-cooperation (Arm 3). Participants were accompanied by a diabetes educator every other week to monitor targets, and the intervention period lasted 3 months. The primary outcome was the change in HbA1c at 3 months from baseline. Weight and change body mass index (BMI) were considered as secondary outcomes. Results: Out of 783 patients screened, a total of 54 participants, 18 per study arm, were enrolled and 44 (82%) completed the 3-month follow-up. Mean baseline HbA1c values were 8.5%, 7.9% and 8.2% in Arm 1, Arm 2, and Arm 3, respectively. At 3 months, participants in all three study arms showed reductions in HbA1c ranging from -0.9% in Arm 2 to -1.4% in Arm 1. Weight and BMI also showed reductions. Conclusions: Individual and mixed cash incentives show important reductions in HbA1c, weight and BMI in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus after 3 months.  Recruitment and uptake of the intervention were successfully accomplished demonstrating feasibility to conduct larger effectiveness studies to test individual and mixed economic incentives for diabetes management. Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT02891382.

Experiencias y percepciones de los donantes de sangre sobre la donación en un hospital público de Perú / Blood donors' experiences and perceptions of donation at a Peruvian public hospital

Objetivo: Conocer las experiencias y percepciones de donantes de sangre en un hospital público. Materiales y métodos: Se realizó un estudio cualitativo con orientación fenomenológica en un hospital público de Lima. Se realizaron entrevistas semiestructuradas a profundidad y notas de campo basadas en observaciones a los participantes. Resultados: Se entrevistó a doce donantes, los cuales manifestaron no haber tenido mucha información sobre la donación y el banco de sangre. Sin embargo, luego de su experiencia de donar se identificó aspectos positivos como la atención de calidad, rápida y minuciosa. Los participantes valoran el trato cordial del personal a la hora de brindar información, el reducido tiempo de espera y la compañía durante el proceso de extracción de la sangre. Los aspectos negativos fueron la falta de publicidad y difusión de la donación voluntaria de sangre. A pesar de ello la mayoría de entrevistados manifestaron su intención de retornar debido a la calidad del servicio. En resumen, la percepción de los participantes fue favorable a la donación, al recibir una atención de calidad, con información oportuna en el tiempo adecuado. Conclusiones: Los entrevistados no tenían mayor información sobre la posibilidad de hacer donaciones voluntarias de sangre en el hospital. Posterior a su experiencia, la percepción sobre la donación fue favorable, indicando su intención de participar en futuras donaciones.

Objective: To know the experiences and perceptions of blood donors at a public hospital. Materials and methods: A qualitative study with phenomenological orientation was performed at a public hospital in Lima. Semi-structured in-depth interviews and field notes based on participants' observations were conducted. Results: A total of 12 donors who reported not having much information about donation and blood banks were interviewed. However, after their donation experience, they identified positive aspects such as a high-quality, fast and thorough care. Participants appreciated the personnel's cordial treatment when providing information, the short waiting time, and the personnel's company during the process of blood extraction. The negative aspects were the lack of dissemination and publicity of voluntary blood donation. In spite of this, most interviewees expressed their intention to return due to the high-quality service they received. In summary, participants' perception of blood donation was favorable because they received high-quality care, with timely information in the appropriate time. Conclusions: Interviewees had limited information about the possibility of making voluntary blood donations at the hospital. After their experience, participants perceived that donating blood was favorable and indicated their intention to participate in future donations.

An exploration into caring for a stroke-survivor in Lima, Peru: Emotional impact, stress factors, coping mechanisms and unmet needs of informal caregivers.

INTRODUCTION: Understanding local complexities and challenges of stroke-related caregiving are essential to develop appropriate interventions. Our study aimed to characterize the impact of post-stroke care among caregivers in a setting of transitioning economy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Qualitative study based on in-depth interviews with primary caregivers of stroke survivors in Lima, Peru. Transcribed data was organized into the emotional impact of caregiving, main stress factors and coping mechanisms to deal with the caregiving role, as well as the unmet needs of caregivers. RESULTS: We interviewed twelve caregivers, mean age 52.5 years, 8/12 were females, who were either the spouse or child of the stroke survivor. Stroke patients had a median age of 70 years, range 53-85 years. All participants reported having experienced emotional stress and depressive symptoms as a result of caregiving. Although most had family support, reduced social activities and added unanticipated financial burdens increased caregiver's stress. None of the caregivers had received training in post-stroke care tasks after the patient's discharge and only a few had received some psychological support, yet almost all expressed the need to see a professional to improve their mental health. Keeping a positive attitude towards their relative's physical post-stroke condition was a key coping mechanism. CONCLUSIONS: In the absence of structured institutional responses, family members endure with the provision of care for stroke survivors, a task escorted by major emotional, financial, and social strains. This burden could be prevented or curtailed if caregivers were to be targeted by interventions providing psychological and financial support, together with basic training on post-stroke care.