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Objectives: To describe the access and use of information and communication technologies (ICT) from endocrinology physicians; and to evaluate the perceptions from physicians towards an informatics system to improve treatment adherence in patients with diabetes (CareNet). Material and methods: Descriptive, cross-sectional study. A previously validated survey was applied to endocrinology physicians from a public hospital in Peru in order to evaluate access, use and perceptions towards ICT. In addition, we evaluated the physician's perceptions towards an informatics system. Results: From a total of eight physicians working at the endocrinology service, seven physicians responded the survey (median age: 36 years, 57.1% male) all of them using cell phones, short text messages, e-mail and the Internet on a daily basis. All the physicians reported being comfortable/very comfortable with the use of computers. All the physicians considered the informatics system could be useful in improving adherence treatment of patients with diabetes. All physicians agreed/completely agreed that the informatics system was easy to use. All physicians considered that the training to use CareNet was good/excellent. Conclusions: The majority of physicians reported a positive perception towards the use of ICT and CareNet, referring that it was easy to use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetes is a global health problem with a growing number of individuals with diabetes mellitus in the world. Information and communication technologies (ICT) could play an important role in this group of patients. Objective. To report the use and perceptions regarding ICT in patients with diabetes. Material and methods. During August 2008, previously validated surveys were applied to patients with diabetes attending a national hospital in Peru. Results. Two hundred patients with diabetes were surveyed (median: 60 years old, 78.5% women). Most of them never used a computer (89.5%), E-mail (90%), Internet (92%), or chat (91.5%). Most of the participants (91.5%) never sought health information on the Internet. Forty nine percent of participants make and/or receive calls using cell phones at least once a week. However, most of them (84.5% and 67%) never have sent or received text messages, respectively. Almost all of participants would like to receive information about diabetes care. Most of them (70.5% and 61.5%) expressed their interest to participate in a program to support their diabetes using cell phones and the Internet, respectively. Conclusions. Besides use of ICT was relatively low, the perception towards a system or a program using cell phones or the Internet for diabetes support is positive. It is necessary to further explore the reasons why patients do not use cell phones and/or the Internet, and to evaluate the feasibility of ICT interventions for better diabetes care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. To identify factors associated to the probability of being the aggressor or the victim in cases of intimate partner physical violence. Materials and methods. A secondary data analysis was performed to an epidemiological survey done in seven cities in Peru (Lima, Arequipa, Huamanga, Trujillo, Cuzco, Callao and Maynas). 6399 men and women participated, of whom 3909 participants declared living together with an intimate partner at the time of the interview. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to identify associated factors to the roles of victim or aggressor. Results. The likelihood of being aggressor or victim in cases of intimate partner physical violence was independent of sex (p<0,01) and the couple's time living together. factors associated to a higher probability of both roles included a history of exposure to physical violence during childhood, having a favorable attitude towards violence, heavy alcohol drinking, and being younger than 45 years, as well as having a monthly family income of less than 750 USD or an educational attainment of less than complete tertiary school. Geographically, Cusco was the city where it was most likely to find an aggressor or a victim of intimate partner physical violence. Most of these associations obtained p-values of less than 0.001. Conclusions. In cases of intimate partner physical violence, the pattern of predictors is similar in both roles, i.e., aggressor and victim. Sex and the couple's span of time living together did not predict any of both roles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Short administration periods of a health ministry can jeopardize the implementation and effectiveness of state policies due to changes in management orientation, altering the natural learning process, or other factors. The aim of this article was to determine and compare the tenure length of the ministry of health in Peru, describe its characteristics and discuss its relationship with public health achievements. Between 1935 and 2021, the average tenure was of 13,7 months and the median was 11 months, the longest was found to be 67 months, by Constantino Carvallo, and the shortest was one day, by Javier Correa. The length of ministerial tenure in Peru has a wide range of variation (1 day up to 67 months), it is shorter compared to that of other countries and is decreasing since 2016. Although longer tenures would not be sufficient to guarantee health achievements, it might contribute to the sustainability of health-related actions and have a positive effect on long-term policies.

Objectives.: To determine the ratio of microcephaly in newborns in level II and III health facilities of the Ministry of Health (MINSA) of Peru for the period 2005-2013., Materials and Methods.: A secondary analysis of the databases of the Perinatal Information System was carried out during 2005-2013. Microcephaly was identified applying World Health Organization (WHO), Fenton, mixed (WHO-Fenton), and proportionality criteria. The ratios and indices of microcephaly were estimated per 10,000 live births (LB) by region and concordance was compared, using the WHO parameter as a reference., Results.: The ratio of microcephaly during 2005 to 2013 was 3.4%, the average rate of microcephaly was 335 per 10,000 LBs according to the WHO criterion. The mixed parameter showed a substantial concordance (Kappa of 0.635), while the proportionality parameter showed a reasonable concordance (Kappa of 0.298)., Conclusions.: The ratio of microcephaly in MINSA Level II and III health facilities was higher than that reported in other countries in the region before the appearance of Zika in the Americas. The frequency variations observed with those of other countries and among Peruvian regions could be explained by different factors, such as the technique for measuring head circumference, data capture, constitutional factors, and social determinants. We suggest standardizing measurements and their recording, harmonizing diagnostic criteria, and establishing health strategies to strengthen the epidemiological surveillance of the causes of microcephaly.

Background: Dengue disease surveillance and vector surveillance are presumed to detect dengue outbreaks at an early stage and to save--through early response activities--resources, and reduce the social and economic impact of outbreaks on individuals, health systems and economies. The aim of this study is to unveil evidence on the cost of dengue outbreaks., Methods: Economic evidence on dengue outbreaks was gathered by conducting a literature review and collecting information on the costs of recent dengue outbreaks in 4 countries: Peru, Dominican Republic, Vietnam, and Indonesia. The literature review distinguished between costs of dengue illness including cost of dengue outbreaks, cost of interventions and cost-effectiveness of interventions., Results: Seventeen publications on cost of dengue showed a large range of costs from 0.2 Million US$ in Venezuela to 135.2 Million US$ in Brazil. However, these figures were not standardized to make them comparable. Furthermore, dengue outbreak costs are calculated differently across the publications, and cost of dengue illness is used interchangeably with cost of dengue outbreaks. Only one paper from Australia analysed the resources saved through active dengue surveillance. Costs of vector control interventions have been reported in 4 studies, indicating that the costs of such interventions are lower than those of actual outbreaks. Nine papers focussed on the cost-effectiveness of dengue vaccines or dengue vector control; they do not provide any direct information on cost of dengue outbreaks, but their modelling methodologies could guide future research on cost-effectiveness of national surveillance systems.The country case studies--conducted in very different geographic and health system settings - unveiled rough estimates for 2011 outbreak costs of: 12 million US$ in Vietnam, 6.75 million US$ in Indonesia, 4.5 million US$ in Peru and 2.8 million US$ in Dominican Republic (all in 2012 US$). The proportions of the different cost components (vector control; surveillance; information, education and communication; direct medical and indirect costs), as percentage of total costs, differed across the respective countries. Resources used for dengue disease control and treatment were country specific., Conclusions: The evidence so far collected further confirms the methodological challenges in this field: 1) to define technically dengue outbreaks (what do we measure?) and 2) to measure accurately the costs in prospective field studies (how do we measure?). Currently, consensus on the technical definition of an outbreak is sought through the International Research Consortium on Dengue Risk Assessment, Management and Surveillance (IDAMS). Best practice guidelines should be further developed, also to improve the quality and comparability of cost study findings. Modelling the costs of dengue outbreaks and validating these models through field studies should guide further research.

Objectives: To identify factors associated to the probability of being the aggressor or the victim in cases of intimate partner physical violence., Materials and Methods: A secondary data analysis was performed to an epidemiological survey done in seven cities in Peru (Lima, Arequipa, Huamanga, Trujillo, Cuzco, Callao and Maynas). 6399 men and women participated, of whom 3909 participants declared living together with an intimate partner at the time of the interview. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to identify associated factors to the roles of victim or aggressor., Results: The likelihood of being aggressor or victim in cases of intimate partner physical violence was independent of sex (p<0,01) and the couple's time living together. Factors associated to a higher probability of both roles included a history of exposure to physical violence during childhood, having a favorable attitude towards violence, heavy alcohol drinking, and being younger than 45 years, as well as having a monthly family income of less than 750 USD or an educational attainment of less than complete tertiary school. Geographically, Cusco was the city where it was most likely to find an aggressor or a victim of intimate partner physical violence. Most of these associations obtained p-values of less than 0.001., Conclusions: In cases of intimate partner physical violence, the pattern of predictors is similar in both roles, i.e., aggressor and victim. Sex and the couple's span of time living together did not predict any of both roles.