Usability and perceptions of a one-on-one telementoring program for young physicians in rural settings of Peru: a mixed method study.

BACKGROUND: Telementoring seems to be a promising strategy to deliver training and counselling to physicians in remote areas. In Peru, early graduated physicians must work for the Rural and Urban-Edge Health Service Program where they face important training needs. The aim of this study was to describe the usage of a one-on-one telementoring program for rural physicians and evaluate the aspects related to the perceptions of acceptability and usability. METHODS: Mixed methods study on recently graduated physicians who work in rural areas and participate in the telementoring program. The program used a mobile application to connect these young doctors with specialized mentors to answer queries about real-life problems raised by working in a rural area. We summarize administrative data to assess participant characteristics and their participation in the program. Additionally, we conducted in-depth interviews to explore the perceived usability, ease of use, and reason for non-use of the telementoring program. RESULTS: Of 74 physicians (mean age 25, 51.4% women) enrolled, 12 (16.2%) actively used the program and performed a total of 27 queries, which received response in an average time of 5.4 ± 6.3 h. In the interviews, the main reasons for non-use were connectivity issues, feelings of shame, and self-efficacy. For those who used the telementoring program they referred it was easy to use and solve their inquiries timely. CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of a telementoring program sought to provide guidance to recently graduated physicians working in rural areas. Low use rates show that administrative and process-related deficiencies in the program implementation need to be improved.

Effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health visits in primary care: an interrupted time series analysis from nine INTRePID countries.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic impacted mental health disorders, affecting both individuals with pre-existing conditions and those with no prior history. However, there is limited evidence regarding the pandemic's impact on mental health visits to primary care physicians. The International Consortium of Primary Care Big Data Researchers (INTRePID) explored primary care visit trends related to mental health conditions in Argentina, Australia, Canada, China, Norway, Peru, Singapore, Sweden, and the USA. Methods: We conducted an interrupted time series analysis in nine countries to examine changes in rates of monthly mental health visits to primary care settings from January 1st, 2018, to December 31st, 2021. Sub-group analysis considered service type (in-person/virtual) and six categories of mental health conditions (anxiety/depression, bipolar/schizophrenia/other psychotic disorders, sleep disorders, dementia, ADHD/eating disorders, and substance use disorder). Findings: Mental health visit rates increased after the onset of the pandemic in most countries. In Argentina, Canada, China, Norway, Peru, and Singapore, this increase was immediate ranged from an incidence rate ratio of 1·118 [95% CI 1.053-1.187] to 2.240 [95% CI 2.057-2.439] when comparing the first month of pandemic with the pre-pandemic trend. Increases in the following months varied across countries. Anxiety/depression was the leading reason for mental health visits in most countries. Virtual visits were reported in Australia, Canada, Norway, Peru, Sweden, and the USA, accounting for up to 40% of the total mental health visits. Interpretation: Findings suggest an overall increase in mental health visits, driven largely by anxiety/depression. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many of the studied countries adopted virtual care in particular for mental health visits. Primary care plays a crucial role in addressing mental ill-health in times of crisis. Funding: Canadian Institutes of Health Research grant #173094 and the Rathlyn Foundation Primary Care EMR Research and Discovery Fund.

Changes in primary care visits for respiratory illness during the COVID-19 pandemic: a multinational study by the International Consortium of Primary Care Big Data Researchers (INTRePID).

Objectives: The majority of patients with respiratory illness are seen in primary care settings. Given COVID-19 is predominantly a respiratory illness, the INTernational ConsoRtium of Primary Care BIg Data Researchers (INTRePID), assessed the pandemic impact on primary care visits for respiratory illnesses. Design: Definitions for respiratory illness types were agreed on collectively. Monthly visit counts with diagnosis were shared centrally for analysis. Setting: Primary care settings in Argentina, Australia, Canada, China, Norway, Peru, Singapore, Sweden and the United States. Participants: Over 38 million patients seen in primary care settings in INTRePID countries before and during the pandemic, from January 1st, 2018, to December 31st, 2021. Main outcome measures: Relative change in the monthly mean number of visits before and after the onset of the pandemic for acute infectious respiratory disease visits including influenza, upper and lower respiratory tract infections and chronic respiratory disease visits including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, respiratory allergies, and other respiratory diseases. Results: INTRePID countries reported a marked decrease in the average monthly visits for respiratory illness. Changes in visits varied from -10.9% [95% confidence interval (CI): -33.1 to +11.3%] in Norway to -79.9% (95% CI: -86.4% to -73.4%) in China for acute infectious respiratory disease visits and - 2.1% (95% CI: -12.1 to +7.8%) in Peru to -59.9% (95% CI: -68.6% to -51.3%) in China for chronic respiratory illness visits. While seasonal variation in allergic respiratory illness continued during the pandemic, there was essentially no spike in influenza illness during the first 2 years of the pandemic. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic had a major impact on primary care visits for respiratory presentations. Primary care continued to provide services for respiratory illness, although there was a decrease in infectious illness during the COVID pandemic. Understanding the role of primary care may provide valuable information for COVID-19 recovery efforts and planning for future global emergencies.

Effectiveness of the BBIBP-CorV vaccine in preventing infection and death in health care workers in Peru 2021.

BACKGROUND: During 2021, Peru started the vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 using the BBIBP-CorV inactivated virus vaccine for health care workers (HCW). We aim to evaluate the effectiveness of the BBIBP-CorV vaccine to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection and deaths among HCWs. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study, from February 9 to June 30, 2021, using national registries of health care workers, laboratory tests for SARS-CoV-2 and deaths. We calculated the vaccine effectiveness for preventing laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, COVID-19-mortality, and all-cause mortality among partially immunized and fully immunized HCWs. An extension of Cox proportional hazards regression was used to model the mortality results, and Poisson regression was used to model SARS-CoV-2 infection. RESULTS: The study included 606,772 eligible HCWs, the mean age was 40 (IQR: 33.0, 51.0). In fully immunized HCW, the effectiveness for preventing all-cause mortality was 83.6 (95% CI: 80.2 to 86.4), 88.7 (95% CI: 85.1 to 91.4) for preventing COVID-19 mortality, and 40.3 (95% CI 38.9 to 41.6) for preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection. CONCLUSION: The BBIBP-CorV vaccine showed high levels of effectiveness for preventing all-cause and COVID-19 deaths among fully immunized HCW. These results were consistent within different subgroups and sensitivity analyses. However, the effectiveness for preventing infection was suboptimal in this particular setting.

Integrated Management Systems (IMS) to Support and Sustain Quality One Health Services: International Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic by the IMIA Primary Care Working Group.

OBJECTIVES: One Health considers human, animal and environment health as a continuum. The COVID-19 pandemic started with the leap of a virus from animals to humans. Integrated management systems (IMS) should provide a coherent management framework, to meet reporting requirements and support care delivery. We report IMS deployment during, and retention post the COVID-19 pandemic, and exemplar One Health use cases. METHODS: Six volunteer members of the International Medical Association's (IMIA) Primary Care Working Group provided data about any IMS and One Health use to support the COVID-19 pandemic initiatives. We explored how IMS were: (1) Integrated with organisational strategy; (2) Utilised standardised processes, and (3) Met reporting requirements, including public health. Selected contributors provided Unified Modelling Language (UML) use case diagram for a One Health exemplar. RESULTS: There was weak evidence of synergy between IMS and health system strategy to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there were rapid pragmatic responses to COVID-19, not citing IMS. All health systems implemented IMS to link COVID test results, vaccine uptake and outcomes, particularly mortality and to provide patients access to test results and vaccination certification. Neither proportion of gross domestic product alone, nor vaccine uptake determined outcome. One Health exemplars demonstrated that animal, human and environmental specialists could collaborate. CONCLUSIONS: IMS use improved the pandemic response. However, IMS use was pragmatic rather than utilising an international standard, with some of their benefits lost post-pandemic. Health systems should incorporate IMS that enables One Health approaches as part of their post COVID-19 pandemic preparedness.

Relative vaccine effectiveness of the booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine for preventing death in individuals with a primary regimen based on the BBIBP-CorV, ChAdOx1-S, or BNT162b2 vaccines during the Omicron wave in Peru: A nested case-control study using national population data.

BACKGROUND: Studies have reported evidence about the effectiveness of a third dose with BNT162b2 for preventing hospitalization and death by COVID-19. However, there is little evidence regarding other primary vaccine schedules such as BBIBP-CorV and ChAdOx1-S. We estimated the relative vaccine effectiveness (RVE) of the booster dose versus the primary regimens of COVID-19 vaccines based on BBIBP-CorV, ChAdOx1-S, or BNT162b2 for preventing death during the Omicron wave in Peruvian adult people. METHODS: We carried out a nested case-control study with a risk set sampling of controls using data from Peru between December 20, 2021, and February 20, 2022 (during the Omicron wave). Data on vaccination, COVID-19 tests and deaths were collected from national surveillance databases. We performed conditional logistic regression models to estimate the RVE on the adult population. In addition, we executed sub-group analysis per age group (18 to 59 years, and 60 years or more) and per primary regime (based on BNT162b2, BBIBP-CorV, or ChAdOx1-S). RESULTS: Of the 11,188,332 people eligible to enter the study 1,974 met the case definition (death from COVID-19) and were matched to 9,183 controls. The overall RVE of a third dose to prevent death was 87.2% (84.2%-89.7%), which varied according to the primary regime (87.3% for BNT162b2, 82.0% for BBIPB-CorV-2, and 79.5% for ChAdOx-S). In older adults, the RVE was 87.1%, without significant variations according to the primary regime (86.1% for BNT162b2, 86.1 for BBIBP-CorV, and 82% for ChAdOx-S). CONCLUSIONS: The booster) dose of vaccine against COVID-19 had a high RVE for preventing death by COVID-19 in the Peruvian population in all primary regimes of vaccines during the Omicron wave. This effect was consistent in people over 60 years of age, the group most vulnerable to die from this infection.

Immunogenicity and reactogenicity of a third dose of BNT162b2 vaccine for COVID-19 after a primary regimen with BBIBP-CorV or BNT162b2 vaccines in Lima, Peru.

BACKGROUND: The administration of a third (booster) dose of COVID-19 vaccines in Peru initially employed the BNT162b2 (Pfizer) mRNA vaccine. The national vaccination program started with healthcare workers (HCW) who received BBIBP-CorV (Sinopharm) vaccine as primary regimen and elderly people previously immunized with BNT162b2. This study evaluated the reactogenicity and immunogenicity of the "booster" dose in these two groups in Lima, Peru. METHODS: We conducted a prospective cohort study, recruiting participants from November to December of 2021 in Lima, Peru. We evaluated immunogenicity and reactogenicity in HCW and elderly patients previously vaccinated with either two doses of BBIBP-CorV (heterologous regimen) or BTN162b2 (homologous regimen). Immunogenicity was measured by anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody levels immediately before boosting dose and 14 days later. IgG geometric means (GM) and medians were obtained, and modeled using ANCOVA and quantile regressions. RESULTS: The GM of IgG levels increased significantly after boosting: from 28.5±5.0 AU/mL up to 486.6±1.2 AU/mL (p<0.001) which corresponds to a 17-fold increase. The heterologous vaccine regimen produced higher GM of post-booster anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG levels, eliciting a 13% increase in the geometric mean ratio (95%CI: 1.02-1.27) and a median difference of 92.3 AU/ml (95%CI: 24.9-159.7). Both vaccine regimens were safe and well tolerated. Previous COVID-19 infection was also associated with higher pre and post-booster IgG GM levels. CONCLUSION: Although both boosting regimens were highly immunogenic, two doses of BBIBP-CorV boosted with BTN162b2 produced a stronger IgG antibody response than the homologous BNT162b2 regimen in the Peruvian population. Additionally, both regimens were mildly reactogenic and well-tolerated.

Confirmed Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Reinfections After a Second Wave With Predominance of Lambda in Lima and Callao, Peru.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection is a major public health problem in the world and reinfections are becoming more frequent. Our main objective was to describe the epidemiological, clinical, and genomic characteristics of the confirmed cases of reinfection by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in the capital of Lima and Callao, Peru. Methods: We searched in the Peruvian laboratory information system from April 2020 up to May 2021, looking for cases having 2 positive molecular tests for SARS-CoV-2 with more than 90 days between them. We performed genomic sequencing to the available pairs of samples and described the clinical characteristics, epidemiological impact, and genomic analysis of the confirmed reinfections. Results: There were 1 694 164 people with a positive diagnostic test for SARS-CoV-2 in Lima/Callao during the study period. Of these, 1695 had 2 positive molecular tests with more than 90 days between them. Two hundred eleven had both samples available for genomic analysis according to our selection criteria, and these were retrieved and submitted to sequencing. Thirty cases were confirmed to be SARS-CoV-2 reinfections with 2 different lineages in the 2 episodes. The variant Lambda (C.37) was the most common during the second infection and accounted for 19 (63.3%) of the 30 cases. Conclusions: We report 30 cases of confirmed SARS-CoV-2 reinfections. The Lambda variant was the most common cause of the second infections, in concordance with its predominant circulation during Peru's second wave. This report describes the largest series of confirmed reinfections by SARS-CoV-2 in Latin America.We describe the epidemiological, clinical, and genomic characteristics of the confirmed cases of reinfection by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 in Lima and Callao, durante la segunda ola en Peru. The Lambda variant (C.37) was the most common cause of the second infections.

How has COVID-19 impacted the civil registration and vital statistics system in Loreto, Perú? Evidence using process mapping and qualitative analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Accurate civil registration and vital statistics (CRVS) systems are the primary data source to measure the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mortality. This study assesses how the pandemic impacted CRVS system processes in Loreto region of Peru, one of the worst affected countries globally. DESIGN: Qualitative study. SETTING: Loreto, a remote region, which had the highest reported mortality rate in Peru during the pandemic. PARTICIPANTS: Semistructured individual interviews and documentary analysis were conducted between September 2020 and May 2021 with 28 key informants from eight institutions involved in death certification. Key informants were identified using a purposive sampling strategy commencing at the Health Directorate of Loreto, and the snowball method was used where a participant suggested another organisation or person. Information from key informants was used to compare business process maps of the CRVS system before and during the pandemic. RESULTS: During early May 2020, there were seven times more registered deaths than in earlier years, but key informants believed this underestimated mortality by 20%-30%. During the pandemic, families had to interact with more institutions during the death certification process. Several issues disrupted death certification processes, including the burden of increased deaths, the Environmental Health Directorate often removing a body without the family's express agreement, the creation of COVID-19 cemeteries where no death certificate was needed for burial, greater participation of funeral homes that often used outdated paper forms, and closure of civil registry offices. There was increased use of the online National Death System (SINADEF) but many users had problems with access. CONCLUSIONS: The pandemic substantially disrupted CRVS processes in Loreto, making death certification more difficult, placing greater burden on the family and leading to more participation from unregulated organisations such as funeral homes or cemeteries. These disruptions were impacted by limitations of the CRVS system's processes before the pandemic.

Translating Social Determinants of Health into Standardized Clinical Entities.

Social determinants of health (SDH) are a valuable source of health information which still are not fully utilized in the clinical space. Knowing that a certain patient has trouble finding transportation, has a potentially hazardous relationship with a family member or close relative, is currently unemployed, or various other social factors would allow providers to tailor treatment plans in a way to best help that patient. However, these SDH must be gathered, represented, and stored in a standardized way before they can be leveraged by informatics tools designed for health providers. This process of translating SDH to standardized clinical entities includes two main steps. The first is a collaborative effort to establish an ontology of medical terminology codes (i.e., ICD, SNOMED, LOINC, etc.) which can be used to uniformly represent SDH as coded concepts. The second is a collaborative effort to use the FHIR standard to create profiles and extensions which will allow FHIR resources to be used to store the coded SDH as clinical entities. Each of these steps has their own complexities that must be considered and accounted for in future efforts to create interoperable clinical informatics solutions which utilize SDH.

Need for the Development of a Specific Regulatory Framework for Evaluation of Mobile Health Apps in Peru: Systematic Search on App Stores and Content Analysis.

BACKGROUND: In Peru, there is an increase in the creation of mobile health (mHealth) apps; however, this situation could present problems related to the quality of information these apps share, data security and privacy, usability, and effectiveness, as there is no specific local regulation about their creation and use. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to review mHealth apps created, uploaded, or used in Peru, and perform an analysis of the national regulatory framework that could be applied to evaluate whether there is a need to develop and implement a specific regulation to these apps. METHODS: A total of 3 reviews were performed. First, we reviewed information about Peruvian mHealth apps created up to May 2019 from scientific publications, news, government communications, and virtual stores, and evaluated their purpose, creator, and the available evidence of their usability and effectiveness. The second review was carried out by taking a sample of the 10 most commonly used mHealth apps in Peru (regardless of the country of creation), to evaluate the information they collect and classify them according to the possible risks that they could present in terms of security and privacy. In addition, we evaluated whether they refer to or endorse the information they provided. Finally, in the third review, we searched for Peruvian standards related to electronic health (eHealth) that involve information technology that can be applied to regulate these apps. RESULTS: A total of 66 apps meeting our inclusion criteria were identified; of these, 47% (n=31) belonged to government agencies and 47% (n=31) were designed for administrative purposes (private and government agencies). There was no evidence about the usability or effectiveness of any of these apps. Concerning the 10 most commonly used mHealth apps in Peru, about the half of them gathered user information that could be leaked, changed, or lost, thus posing a great harm to their users or to their related patients. In addition, 6/10 (60%) of these apps did not mention the source of the information they provided. Among the Peruvian norms, the Law on the Protection of Personal Data, Law on Medical Devices, and administrative directives on standards and criteria for health information systems have some regulations that could be applied to these apps; however, these do not fully cover all aspects concerning the evaluation of security and privacy of data, quality of provided information, and evidence of an app's usability and effectiveness. CONCLUSIONS: Because many Peruvian mHealth apps have issues related to security and privacy of data, quality of information provided, and lack of available evidence of their usability and effectiveness, there is an urgent need to develop a regulatory framework based on existing medical device and health information system norms in order to promote the evaluation and regulation of all the aforesaid aspects, including the creation of a national repository for these apps that describes all these characteristics.

Percepción de médicos especialistas sobre la usabilidad de una aplicación móvil de dengue en zonas rurales: un estudio cualitativo / Perception of medical specialists on the usability of a dengue mobile application in rural areas: a qualitative study

RESUMEN Introducción. Las aplicaciones móviles representan una alternativa prometedora para brindar soporte en la gestión de pacientes con dengue. Sin embargo, se desconoce la usabilidad de estas herramientas en el Perú. Objetivo. Evaluar la usabilidad y las recomendaciones de uso de la aplicación Dengue ONQOY en la gestión de pacientes con dengue en zonas rurales de Perú. Métodos. Se realizó un estudio cualitativo que incluyó entrevistas semiestructuradas a 8 expertos en el tratamiento del dengue, los datos fueron codificados mediante el programa Atlas. Ti. Fueron evaluadas tres categorías: (1) usabilidad informativa, (2) usabilidad de diseño y (3) recomendaciones para su mejoramiento. Resultados. Se destacaron tres aspectos clave: (1) la aplicación es percibida como valiosa para los médicos de primer nivel en áreas periféricas con poca experiencia en dengue debido a su enfoque personalizado y valor académico; (2) se destacó su facilidad de uso y practicidad, aunque se señaló la limitación de la conectividad en algunas áreas; y, (3) se recomendó la inclusión de diagnósticos diferenciales, factores de riesgo adicionales, referencias actualizadas, guías de hidratación y dosis de medicamentos para mejorar la aplicación. Conclusión. Dengue ONQOY fue considerado altamente utilizable por médicos que atienden casos de dengue en el primer nivel de atención en Perú. A pesar de las limitaciones relacionadas con la conectividad y las posibles mejoras en su diseño, su desarrollo e implementación ofrecen una alternativa prometedora para el manejo de pacientes con Dengue en el país.

ABSTRACT Introduction. Mobile applications represent a promising alternative for providing support in the management of Dengue patients. However, the usability of these tools in Peru is unknown. Objectives. To evaluate the usability and usage recommendations of the Dengue ONQOY application in managing Dengue patients in rural areas of Peru. Methods. A qualitative study was conducted, which included semi-structured interviews with 8 experts in Dengue management. Data were coded using Atlas. Ti software. Three categories were assessed: (1) informative usability (2) design usability, and (3) recommendations for improvement. Results. Three key aspects were highlighted. (1) The application is perceived as valuable for first- level doctors in peripheral areas with limited Dengue experience due to its personalized approach and academic value. (2) Its ease of use and practicality were emphasized, although connectivity limitations in some areas were noted. (3) Recommendations for improvement included the inclusion of differential diagnoses, additional risk factors, updated references, hydration guidelines, and medication dosages. Conclusions. Dengue ONQOY is considered highly usable by doctors treating Dengue cases at the primary care level in Peru. Despite connectivity limitations and potential design improvements, its development and implementation offer a promising alternative for managing Dengue patients in the country in this field.

Barreras y facilitadores en la implementación de un sistema de tele-triaje para la identificación remota de casos sospechosos de COVID-19 por estudiantes voluntarios / Barriers and facilitators in the implementation of a tele-triage system for remote identification of suspected COVID-19 cases by student volunteers

Resumen Introducción. En el Perú el sistema de tele-triaje (STT) conducido por estudiantes voluntarios permitió la identificación remota de casos sospechosos de COVID-19. Sin embargo, aun no se conocen las barreras y facilitadores de su implementación. Objetivos. Describir las barreras y facilitadores sobre la implementación de un sistema de tele-triaje para la identificación de casos sospechosos de COVID-19 en el Perú. Métodos. Se desarrolló un estudio de métodos mixtos que describió las características de los usuarios que participaron en el STT (cuantitativo). También se exploró las percepciones de usuarios y voluntarios respecto a las barreras y facilitadores sobre la implementación de este servicio (cualitativo). Resultados. Entre los 4317 usuarios evaluados por el STT, la edad media fue 36,2 años (desviación estándar: 13,2), 58,6% fueron mujeres y solo el 41,4% fueron clasificados como casos sospechosos de COVID-19. Los voluntarios destacaron que su participación fue facilitada por su disponibilidad de tiempo y deseos de ayudar, aunque señalaron problemas de organización y falta de equipos disponibles para las llamadas. Los usuarios valoraron el apoyo emocional y la claridad de la información brindada, pero expresaron desconfianza sobre la evaluación de COVID-19 de forma remota, y un conocimiento limitado sobre el rol de los voluntarios. Conclusiones. El STT conducido por estudiantes voluntarios pemitió la identificación de casos sospechosos de COVID-19 en el Perú, además sirvió como medio para compartir información. Sin embargo, aspectos de desorganización y desconocimiento por parte de los usuarios fueron percibidos como barreras para su implementación.

ABSTRACT Introduction. In Peru, the tele-triage system (TTS) led by volunteer students allowed for the remote identification of suspected COVID-19 cases. However, the barriers and facilitators of its implementation are still unknown. Objectives. To describe the barriers and facilitators regarding the implementation of a tele-triage system for the identification of suspected COVID-19 cases in Peru. Methods. A mixed methods study was developed that described the characteristics of the users who participated in the TTS (quantitative). It also explored the perceptions of users and volunteers regarding the barriers and facilitators of implementing this service (qualitative). Results. Among the 4,317 users evaluated by the TTS, the average age was 36.2 years (standard deviation: 13.2), 58.6% were women, and only 41.4% were classified as suspected cases of COVID-19. Volunteers highlighted that their participation was facilitated by their availability of time and desire to help, although they noted problems with organization and a lack of equipment available for calls. Users valued the emotional support and clarity of the information provided but expressed mistrust about the remote COVID-19 assessment, and a limited understanding of the volunteers' role. Conclusions. The TTS led by volunteer students allowed for the identification of suspected COVID-19 cases in Peru, and also served as a means to share information. However, aspects of disorganization and a lack of knowledge on the part of users were perceived as barriers to its implementation.

Informe técnico. Tasas de mortalidad por COVID-19 según estado de vacunación: aproximación a la evaluación de la efectividad de las vacunas / Technical report. Mortality rates from COVID-19 according to vaccination status: approach to evaluating the effectiveness of vaccines

El presente documento fue presentado como Informe Técnico N°20 ­ UIE ­ CNSP/INS por el Centro Nacional de Salud Pública del Instituto Nacional de Salud en abril del 2022 como parte de la vigilancia de monitoreo nacional del impacto de la vacunación contra COVID-19 en el Perú.

Estado de los programas de optimización del uso de antimicrobianos en hospitales: resultados de una Encuesta Nacional 2022 en Perú

Introducción: Los programas de Optimización de Antimicrobianos (PROA) en Instituciones Sanitarias son una estrategia implementada en diversos países. El estudio: Nuestro objetivo fue realizar una encuesta electrónica en los establecimientos de salud que cuentan con servicios de hospitalización en el Perú. Hallazgos: Ciento setenta establecimientos (38.4%) respondieron la encuesta entre MINSA (90%), ESSALUD (4.2%), FFAA PNP (2.9%) y Privados (2.9%). Solo 49 (28.8%) contaba con PROA funcionando dentro de su institución. El 83.7% contaban con una Resolución directoral que respalda sus funciones y el 38.8% referían contar con un plan de actividades PROA. Los problemas más frecuentemente identificados son la falta de recursos humanos capacitados (24.6%), la falta de capacitación y asistencia técnica (13.1%) y la falla en la prescripción de antibióticos (11.5%). Conclusión: Es prioritario seguir fortaleciendo los PROA en hospitales en el corto plazo con actividades que estimulen el uso racional de antimicrobianos.

Background: The Antimicrobial Optimization Programs (PROA in Spanish) in Health Institutions are a strategy implemented in different countries. The study: Our objective was to carry out an electronic survey in health establishments that have hospitalization services in Peru. Findings: One hundred seventy establishments (38.4%) responded to the survey between MINSA (90%), ESSALUD (4.2%), Armed Forces PNP (2.9%) and Private (2.9%). Only 49 (28.8%) had PROA working within their institution. 83.7% had a Director Resolution that supported their functions and 38.8% reported having a PROA activity plan. The most frequent problems identified are the lack of trained human resources (24.6%), the lack of training and technical assistance (13.1%) and the failure to prescribe antibiotics (11.5%). Conclusion: It is a priority to continue strengthening the PROA in hospitals in the short term with activities that stimulate the rational use of antimicrobials.

Supervivencia de los trabajadores de salud infectados por SARS-CoV-2 en el contexto de la vacunación contra la COVID-19 en el Perú / Survival of health workers infected by SARS-CoV-2 in the context of vaccination against COVID-19 in Peru

RESUMEN Objetivos. Evaluar la supervivencia de los trabajadores de salud infectados por SARS-CoV-2 en el contexto del proceso de vacunación contra la COVID-19 en el Perú. Métodos. Se realizó un análisis de supervivencia a partir de datos provenientes de las bases nacionales en salud. Se incluyó datos de personas entre 18 y 59 años infectadas por SARS-CoV-2 evidenciada por prueba molecular o antigénica. Se elaboraron gráficos de Kaplan Meier para comparar la sobrevida de los trabajadores de salud y el resto de la población durante el año 2021 y el trabajador de salud durante la primera y segunda ola de mortalidad en el Perú en el 2020 y 2021, respectivamente. Resultados. Se incluyeron datos de 998 295 personas. La edad promedio fue 41,2 años (DE 15,8) y 485 167 (48,6%) fueron mujeres. Se encontró un mayor nivel de sobrevida de los trabajadores de salud después de la vacunación con respecto a la población en general y a la población de los trabajadores de salud antes de la vacunación. Se evidenció que, al inicio de la segunda ola, el riesgo de morir de los trabajadores de salud era el doble del que tenían en la primera ola (HR=2). Después de la vacunación (en el sexto mes de la segunda ola), el riesgo de morir disminuyó hasta 87,5% menos que en la primera ola (HR=0,125). Conclusiones. Se ha evidenciado un cambio positivo en el nivel de sobrevida de los trabajadores de salud infectado por SARS-CoV-2 durante el contexto de la vacunación contra la COVID-19 en el Perú.

ABSTRACT Objectives. To evaluate the survival of health personnel infected by SARS-CoV-2 in the context of the vaccination process against COVID-19 in Peru. Methods. A survival analysis was performed using data from national health databases. Data from people between 18 and 59 years old infected with SARS-CoV-2 as evidenced by molecular or antigenic tests were included. Kaplan Meier graphs were produced to compare the survival of health personnel and the rest of the population during 2021 and health personnel during the first and second wave of mortality in Peru in 2020 and 2021, respectively. Results. Data from 998 295 people were included. The average age was 41.2 years (SD 15.8) and 485 167 (48.6%) were women. A higher level of survival of health workers after vaccination was found compared to the general population and to the population of health workers before vaccination. It was evidenced that, at the beginning of the second wave, the risk of dying for health workers was twice that of the first wave (HR = 2). After vaccination (in the sixth month of the second wave), the risk of dying decreased to 87.5% less than in the first wave (HR = 0.125). Conclusions. A positive change has been evidenced in the level of survival of health personnel infected by SARS-CoV-2 during the context of vaccination against COVID-19 in Peru.

Perspectiva docente-estudiante sobre estrategias de enseñanza y habilidades pedagógicas constructivistas en programas de maestrías de una universidad pública peruana / Teacher-student perspective on teaching strategies and constructivist pedagogical skills in master's programs of a Peruvian public university

Introducción: La presente investigación aborda la evaluación del desempeño docente a nivel metodológico mediante el paradigma centrado en el estudiante. Objetivo: Determinar las estrategias de enseñanza y habilidades pedagógicas con una concepción constructivista desde la perspectiva docente-estudiante en programas de maestrías en salud en el año 2017. Metodología: Estudio cuantitativo, descriptivo y transversal. A partir del Cuestionario de Evaluación de la Metodología Docente y Evaluativa de los Profesores Universitarios (CEMEDEPU), se elaboró un instrumento, el cual fue validado por juicio de expertos con una confiabilidad de alfa de Cronbach de 0.961, que se aplicó a docentes y estudiantes. La muestra obtenida fue de 42 docentes y 130 estudiantes de ocho maestrías. El análisis descriptivo se realizó categorizando los resultados en cada grupo y el análisis inferencial utilizando la prueba T-student. Resultados: Predominó docentes mayores de 56 años (55%), con el grado de magíster (61.9%); estudiantes menores de 40 años (79.2%), que se refirieron a la asignatura de investigación al responder el cuestionario. (52.2%). Las estrategias de enseñanza constructivistas, según el docente fue de uso regular (42.9%) y de uso escasa según el estudiante (52.6%) mientras que las habilidades pedagógicas constructivistas fueron aceptables (66.7%) de acuerdo al docente en contraste con los estudiantes que fueron no aceptables (42.3%). Conclusión: Se encontró diferencia significativa en las estrategias de enseñanza y habilidades pedagógicas de enfoque constructivista entre docentes y estudiantes.

Introduction: This research addresses the evaluation of teacher performance through the student-centered paradigm. Objective: To determine the teaching strategies and pedagogical skills with a constructivist approach used, from the teacher and student perspective, in the health master's programs of a Peruvian public university. Methodology: Quantitative, descriptive and cross-cutting study. Based on the Evaluation Questionnaire of the Teaching and Evaluative Methodology of University Professors (CEMEDEPU), an instrument was developed, which was validated by expert judgment with an Alpha cronbach reliability of 0.961, which was applied to teachers and students. The sample obtained was from 42 teachers and 130 students from eight master's degrees. The descriptive analysis was performed by categorizing the results in each group and the inferential analysis using the T-student test. Results: Predominated teachers over the age of 56 (55%), with the degree of master (61.9%); students under the age of 40 (79.2), who referred to the research subject when answering the questionnaire. (52.2%). Constructivist teaching strategies, according to the teacher, were regularly used (42.9%) and of low student use (52.6%) while constructivist pedagogical skills were acceptable (66.7%) according to the teacher in contrast to students who were not acceptable (42.3%). Conclusion: Significant difference was found in teaching strategies and pedagogical skills of constructivist approach between teachers and students.

Cambios en la densidad de recursos humanos en salud durante la epidemia de COVID-19 en el Perú, abril - agosto 2020

Objetivo. Analizar los cambios en la Densidad de Recursos Humanos en Salud (DRHS) en el Ministerio de Salud a nivel regional y provincial en el Perú; a fin de describir la respuesta del sistema de salud sobre este componente durante la epidemia de COVID-19. Métodos. Estudio descriptivo basado en el análisis de la base de datos nacional de INFORHUS del Ministerio de Salud. Para el cálculo de la DRHS, se consideró como numerador al personal de salud registrado en la base de INFORHUS y como denominador a la población adscrita al Seguro Integral de Salud - SIS. Se excluyó a personal de salud que falleció y aún estaba registrado, y a personal diagnosticado de COVID-19 por prueba rápida o molecular durante los meses considerados en el análisis. Se analizaron los cambios porcentuales de DRHS entre los meses de abril hasta agosto de 2020 a nivel regional y provincial en el Perú. Resultados. En el periodo abril-agosto la DRHS a nivel nacional se incrementó en un 5,1%. A nivel regional este incremento se logró en 15 de las 25 regiones con una variación desde 0,2% hasta 12,3%, y se visualizó una reducción brusca y sostenida del personal nombrado, juntamente con un incremento del personal con contratos temporales. En el resto de las regiones se visualizó una reducción de DRHS la cual varió entre -0,7% hasta -7,7%. Conclusiones. La DRHS en el Perú mostró un leve incremento a nivel nacional durante el primer periodo de cuarentena por la pandemia de COVID-19; sin embargo, este resultado no ha sido equitativo en las diferentes regiones y provincias a nivel nacional. Esto sugiere una limitación en el alcance de las medidas tomadas por el gobierno, y la necesidad de tomar acciones para el fortalecimiento de la situación de salud y despliegue de RHUS en los sectores más desfavorecidos.

Objective. To analyze the changes in the density of human resources in health (DHRH), in the Ministry of Health at the regional and provincial level in Peru, in order to describe the response of the health system on this component during the COVID-19 epidemic. Methods. Descriptive study based on the analysis of the INFORHUS national database of the Ministry of Health. To calculate the DHRH, the health personnel registered in the INFORHUS database were considered as the numerator and the population assigned to the Seguro Integral de Salud - SIS as the denominator. Health personnel who died and were still registered, and personnel diagnosed with COVID-19 by rapid or molecular testing during the months considered in the analysis, were excluded. The percentage changes of DHRH between the months of april to august 2020 were analyzed at the regional and provincial level in Peru. Results. In the april-august 2020 period, in response to the first phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, Peru increased the DHRH by 5,1%. At the regional level, this increase was achieved in 15 of the 25 regions with a variation from 0,2% to 12,3%, and a sharp and sustained reduction in appointed personnel was observed, together with an increase in personnel with temporary contracts. In the rest of the regions, a reduction in DHRH was observed, which ranged from -0,7% to -7,7%. Conclusions. DHRH in Peru showed a slight increase at the national level during the first quarantine period due to the COVID-19 pandemic, however, this result has not been equitable in the different regions and provinces at the national level. This suggests a limitation in the scope of the measures taken by the government, and the need to take actions to strengthen the health situation and deployment of human resources in health in the most disadvantaged sectors.

Nivel de satisfacción de los pacientes postoperados de traumatismo facial: un estudio de cohorte de un Hospital Nacional en Perú / Satisfaction level of post-operated facial trauma patients: a cohort study of a National Hospital in Peru

Resumen Objetivo Determinar el nivel de satisfacción de los pacientes postoperados de traumatismo facial en el Hospital Nacional Dos de Mayo (HNDM). Material y Método Estudio cuantitativo, cohorte longitudinal, analítica. La población estuvo constituida por 36 pacientes con diagnóstico de traumatismo facial que se sometieron a cirugía en el servicio de cabeza y cuello del HNDM durante el periodo julio de 2014-febrero de 2015. Se utilizó un cuestionario sobre satisfacción global cuya confiabilidad es r = 0,95, que evalúa cinco dimensiones: Limitación funcional, apariencia facial, apariencia sexual y corporal, autoconcepto negativo y apariencia social. Los puntajes promedio obtenidos en la escala de Likert fueron comparados con la prueba T de student pareada. Se consideró un valor p < 0,05 como estadísticamente significativo. Resultados La satisfacción global de los pacientes postcirugía fue alta en comparación con lo alcanzado en la precirugía (p = 0,01). En las dimensiones limitación funcional, apariencia facial, autoconcepto negativo y apariencia social el 100% alcanzó un nivel de satisfacción alto en la postcirugía. En la dimensión de apariencia sexual y corporal, el 100% tuvo en el periodo postcirugía un nivel de satisfacción medio, respecto al nivel bajo obtenido en la precirugía. Conclusión Los pacientes postoperados de traumatismo facial en el Hospital Nacional Dos de Mayo presentan un alto nivel de satisfacción a nivel funcional, de apariencia facial, en autoconcepto y de apariencia social.

Objective To determine the level of satisfaction of patients who underwent surgery for facial trauma in the Dos de Mayo National Hospital (HNDM). Materials and Methods Quantitative, cross-sectional analytical study. The population consisted of 36 patients diagnosed with facial trauma who underwent surgery in the Head and Neck service of the HNDM during the period July 2014-February 2015. A Global satisfaction questionnaire, previously validated for this research, was used whose reliability is r = 0.95 and evaluates aspects of Limitation functional, facial appearance, sexual and physical appearance, negative self- concept and social appearance. The average scores on the Likert scale were compared with the paired Student t test. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results Regarding the overall satisfaction of patients, the number of patients who reported having a high level of satisfaction was significantly higher in the post surgery compared to what was achieved in the pre surgery (p = 0.01). In respect of functional limitations, facial appearance, negative self-concept and social appearance 100% achieved a high level of satisfaction in the post surgery. In the dimension of sexual and physical appearance, 100% was in the post surgery a medium level of satisfaction, from the low level obtained in the pre surgery. Conclusions The patients operated after facial trauma in the Dos de Mayo National Hospital have a high level of satisfaction on a functional level, facial appearance, negative self-concept and social appearance.