Outcomes and Experiences of Patients and Their Caregivers After Severe Stroke Requiring Tube Feeding in Peru.

OBJECTIVES: Evaluate clinical outcomes of stroke survivors in Peru discharged with artificial nutrition via a feeding tube (FT), and explore perspectives and experiences of these patients and their caregivers. METHODS: Retrospective chart review to describe the prevalence of FT placement and characteristics of patients admitted with stroke to the Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Neurológicas in Lima, Peru between January 2019 and 2021. Follow-up calls to stroke survivors discharged home with FTs or their caregivers included quantitative and qualitative questions to assess long-term outcome and explore perspectives around poststroke care and FT management. We analyzed quantitative data descriptively and applied thematic analysis to qualitative data using a consensus-driven codebook. RESULTS: Of 812 hospitalized patients with stroke, 146 (18%) were discharged home with FT, all with nasogastric tubes (NGTs). Follow-up calls were performed a median of 18 months after stroke with 96 caregivers and three patients. Twenty-five patients (25%) had died, and 82% of survivors (n = 61) remained dependent for some care. Four themes emerged from interviews: (1) perceived suffering (physical, emotional, existential) associated with the NGT and stroke-related disability, often exacerbated by lack of preparedness or prognostic awareness; (2) concerns around compromised personhood and value-discordant care; (3) coping with their loved-one's illness and the caregiving role; and (4) barriers to NGT care and skill acquisition. CONCLUSION: We identified a high burden of palliative and supportive needs among severe stroke survivors with NGTs and their caregivers suggesting opportunities to improve poststroke care through education, communication, and support.

[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.

Management of type 1 diabetes in low- and middle-income countries: Comparative health system assessments in Kyrgyzstan, Mali, Peru and Tanzania.

AIMS: To describe and compare the health system responses for type 1 diabetes in Kyrgyzstan, Mali, Peru and Tanzania. METHODS: The Rapid Assessment Protocol for Insulin Access, a multi-level assessment of the health system, was implemented in Kyrgyzstan, Mali, Peru and Tanzania using document reviews, site visits and interviews to assess the delivery of care and access to insulin. RESULTS: Despite the existence of noncommunicable or diabetes strategies and Universal Health Coverage policies including diabetes-related supplies, this has not necessarily translated into access to insulin or diabetes care for all. Insulin and related supplies were often unavailable and unaffordable. Across the four countries test strips and insulin, when paid for by the individual, represented respectively 48-82% and 25-36% of total costs. Care was mainly delivered at tertiary-level hospitals by specialists. Only Kyrgyzstan had data collection systems integrated into the Ministry of Health structure. In addition, issues with healthcare worker training and education and empowerment of people with diabetes were present in these health systems. CONCLUSIONS: People with type 1 diabetes in these countries face different barriers, including the cost of insulin and care. Given the renewed attention to diabetes on the global health agenda tailored health system responses for type 1 diabetes are needed. Insulin should be prioritized as it is the foundation of type 1 diabetes care, but other elements of care and support need to be fostered by different actors.

Managing Post-Stroke Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic at a Tertiary Care Level Hospital in Peru.

OBJECTIVES: To understand the hospital-to-outpatient care transition and how the discharge process of stroke patients is managed; and to identify potential opportunities to improve these processes, while contrasting pre- and during COVID-19 experiences in Peru. METHODS: A qualitative study was conducted between February and March 2021 consisting of in-depth interviews of patients with stroke, their caregivers and healthcare personnel regarding stroke care at a national tertiary referral center for stroke care in Lima, Peru. We explored the following phases of the patients' journeys: pre-hospitalization, emergency room, hospitalization, discharge process and post-discharge. For each phase, we explored experiences, feelings and expectations using thematic analysis. RESULTS: We conducted a total of 11 interviews with patients or caregivers and 7 with health care personnel and found disruption in the continuity of care for patients with stroke. Mainly, caregivers and patients referred to problems related to communication with healthcare personnel and an absence of training to provide post-discharge care at home. Potential solutions included increasing human resources and caregiver participation in care, implementation of electronic healthcare records, improving the referral system and reinforcing telemedicine services. CONCLUSION: The continuity of care of patients with stroke was negatively affected during the COVID-19 pandemic. In LMICs, the impact was likely greater due to the already weak and fragmented healthcare systems. The COVID-19 pandemic presents an opportunity to improve post-stroke care services, and address patients' experiences and feelings by developing solutions in a participatory manner.

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.

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.