Search

Herd immunity is considered to be a relevant aspect of COVID-19 epidemiology. In this regard, seroprevalence studies are essential for understanding how far countries and regions are from that potential point. This study analyzed seroprevalence data in nine studies from South America, which is a region that has been badly affected by COVID-19. Seroprevalence values ​​were high, with percentages up to 70.0% (95% CI 67.0-73.4%) in Iquitos, Peru. A meta-analysis of such data enabled a pooled seroprevalence to be obtained, estimated at 33.6% (95% CI 28.6-38.5%). Despite this, the COVID-19 pandemic in South America continues to significantly affect countries such as Brazil, Colombia, and Peru.

The aim of this study was to describe the frequency of migration to study medicine in Peru. We conducted a secondary data analysis of the Red-LIRHUS study (2011-2012). We included 3 680 Peruvian students. Approximately, 23.2% migrated for medical school. Less than 1% were international migrants. We found a higher proportion of migrant students in Universities outside of Lima than in Universities in Lima (27.1% vs. 15.8%). There was also a higher proportion of migrants in private universities (28.3% vs. 16.0%) Migrant students were more likely to live alone (27.4% vs. 6.4%) and to report having failed a module/course (51.0% vs. 38.6%) compared to non-migrant students. It is necessary to evaluate potential interventions for the preservation of the well-being of people who migrate for their medical training.

Objetivos. Comprobar el efecto de un programa de pausa activa más folletos informativos, en la disminución de molestias musculoesqueléticas en trabajadores administrativos de una institución pública de Lima, Perú. Materiales y métodos. Se realizó un estudio cuasiexperimental con grupo control, no aleatorizado, en dos sedes en una institución pública. El grupo intervención (n=135) recibió folletos informativos una vez por semana, adicionalmente realizó el programa de pausas activas supervisadas, las cuales consistían en ejercicios de respiración, estiramiento y alentamiento. El grupo control (n=127) solo recibió folletos informativos una vez por semana. Se midió la frecuencia e intensidad de molestias musculoesqueléticas en los últimos siete días. Resultados. La edad promedio fue 38 años. Los segmentos más afectados fueron el cuello y dorso lumbar. El grupo intervención redujo 20% la frecuencia de molestias musculoesqueléticas en cuello en los últimos siete días (p0,001) y 17% en la zona dorso lumbar (p0,001), el grupo control solo redujo la frecuencia en la zona dorso lumbar (p=0,029). Respecto a intensidad del dolor, el grupo de intervención tuvo mayor disminución en todos los segmentos evaluados (p0,05). Conclusiones. Las pausas activas supervisadas más folletos informativos lograron disminuir las molestias musculoesqueléticas en trabajadores administrativos. Por ello, puede ser implementado en otras instituciones públicas o privadas.

Introduction: Despite being a widely used screening questionnaire, there is no consensus on the most appropriate measurement model for the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). Furthermore, there have been limited studies on its measurement invariance across cross-cultural subgroups, genders, and sexual orientations. Aims: The present study aimed to examine the fit of different measurement models for the AUDIT and its measurement invariance across a wide range of subgroups by country, language, gender, and sexual orientation. Methods: Responses concerning past-year alcohol use from the participants of the cross-sectional International Sex Survey were considered (N = 62,943; Mage: 32.73; SD = 12.59). Confirmatory factor analysis, as well as measurement invariance tests were performed for 21 countries, 14 languages, three genders, and four sexual-orientation subgroups that met the minimum sample size requirement for inclusion in these analyses. Results: A two-factor model with factors describing ‘alcohol use’ (items 1–3) and ‘alcohol problems’ (items 4–10) showed the best model fit across countries, languages, genders, and sexual orientations. For the former two, scalar and latent mean levels of invariance were reached considering different criteria. For gender and sexual orientation, a latent mean level of invariance was reached. Conclusions: In line with the two-factor model, the calculation of separate alcohol-use and alcohol-problem scores is recommended when using the AUDIT. The high levels of measurement invariance achieved for the AUDIT support its use in cross-cultural research, capable also of meaningful comparisons among genders and sexual orientations.

RESUMEN La nueva ley universitaria 30220 del 2014 creó la obligatoriedad del licenciamiento institucional de todas las universidades peruanas a cargo de la Superintendencia Nacional de Educación Superior Universitaria - SUNEDU, el primer programa de pregrado en pasar por el mismo proceso será medicina. El licenciamiento de programas de medicina es necesario para garantizar que las condiciones en que se imparte la carrera en el Perú son las adecuadas, con la alta posibilidad de cierre de algunas escuelas de medicina. Una vez que una escuela de medicina haya demostrado que cumple con las condiciones básicas de calidad, se realiza una evaluación cualitativa y una cuantitativa que incluye tres criterios: producción científica en Web of Science, impacto medido a través del índice H, y resultados del examen nacional de medicina, para determinar los años de licenciamiento. Este artículo realiza una evaluación de los indicadores cuantitativos vinculados a investigación usando Web of Science y Scopus, además de hacer revisiones técnicas y metodológicas de los mismos; así como sugerencias para los otros indicadores.

Background: Emigration of health-care workers is a problem within global health systems which affects many countries, including Peru. Several factors have caused health-care workers to emigrate, including burnout syndrome (BS). This study aims to identify the association between BS and its dimensions with the intention of physicians and nurses to emigrate from Peru in 2014. Methods: A cross-sectional study, based on a secondary analysis of the National Survey of Health Users (ENSUSALUD - 2014) was conducted. Sampling was probabilistic, considering the 24 departments of Peru. We include the questionnaire for physicians and nurses, accounting for 5062 workers. BS was measured by the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey. Adjusted odds ratio (OR) was calculated using multiple logistic regression. Results: Of the study population, 44.1% were physicians, 37.7% males, and 23.1% were working in Lima. It was found that 2.8% [95% confidence interval (CI): 2.19–3.45] of health-care workers had BS. The overall prevalence of intention to emigrate among health-care workers was 7.4% (95% CI: 6.36–8.40). Association was found between BS and intention to emigrate in Peruvian health-care workers (OR = 2.15; 95% CI: 1.05–4.40). Emotional exhaustion was the BS dimension most associated with intention to emigrate (OR = 1.80; 95% CI: 1.16–2.78). Conclusion: Physicians and nurses from Peru who suffered from BS were more likely to have intention to emigrate. Policies should be established to reduce BS as a strategy to control “brain drain” from health-care workers of Peru. Keywords: Anxiety disorder, Burnout, Emigration and immigration, Health personnel

Background: Research is an important undergraduate competence for physicians. However, few studies have assessed the scientific production of medical students in Latin-America. Thus, this study had the objective to assess the rate and characteristics of research publications by undergraduate medical students in 2016, in Lima, Peru. Methods: This cross-sectional study included all the students of the eight medical schools in Lima (Peru). The medical students included were collected from the registry of the National Medical Examination (taken during their last year of undergraduate studies) in 2016. To evaluate their research publications, systematic searches were performed in Google Scholar and PubMed during August 2018. Results: We studied data from 1241 medical students (54.2% females) from eight medical schools. 173 (13.9%) students published at least one paper, 102 (8.2%) published at least one original paper, and 30 (2.4%) published at least one original paper in PubMed-Indexed journals. We registered a total of 174 papers authored by medical students, of which 98 (56.3%) were published in Peruvian journals, 128 (73.6%) were published in Spanish, 90 (51.7%) had a medical student as the first author, and 43 (24.7%) had a medical student as the corresponding author. The percentage of students with at least one publication was very heterogeneous across the eight medical schools evaluated (63.6%, 21.4%, 16.8%, 15.1%, 8.2%, 2.0%, 1.9%, and 0.0%). Conclusion: Among medical students in Lima, one out of seven had published at least one paper, one out of 12 had published at least one original paper, and one out of 40 had published at least one original paper in PubMed-Indexed journals. Scientific production was very heterogeneous across medical schools.

Objetivos. Describir la prevalencia y los factores asociados a la compra de antimicrobianos sin receta médica (CASRM) en usuarios de boticas/farmacias según la Encuesta Nacional de Satisfacción de Usuarios en Salud (ENSUSALUD). Materiales y métodos. Se realizó un análisis secundario de la ENSUSALUD 2016; estudio con muestreo probabilístico bietápico en las Instituciones Prestadoras de Servicios de Salud del subsector público y privado. La CASRM se evaluó mediante autorreporte. Se estimaron las razones de prevalencia crudas (RP) y ajustadas (RPa) con intervalos de confianza al 95% (IC 95%). Resultados. Se incluyeron 1165 usuarios que compraron antimicrobianos. El promedio de edad fue 38,0 años (desviación estándar: 13,4). La prevalencia de CASRM fue 53,4% (IC 95%: 48,0-58,8). La prevalencia de CASRM fue mayor en la sierra y la selva, respecto a Lima Metropolitana (RPa: 1,66; IC 95%: 1,37-2,02; y RPa: 1,61; IC 95%: 1,31-1,99; respectivamente); también fue mayor en los usuarios de farmacias respecto a los de boticas (RPa: 1,25; IC 95%: 1,13-1,39). Las personas con Seguro Integral de Salud (SIS) tuvieron menor prevalencia de CASRM respecto a quienes no tenían seguro (RPa: 0,73; IC 95%: 0,60-0,88). La prevalencia fue menor si el antimicrobiano era para el cónyuge (RPa: 0,65; IC 95%: 0,55-0,77) o el hijo(a) (RPa: 0,70; IC 95%: 0,52-0,93) comparada con si era compraba para uno mismo. Conclusiones. El 53,4% de usuarios de boticas/farmacias, que compraron antimicrobianos, lo hicieron sin receta médica. La prevalencia de CASRM fue mayor en la sierra y selva y en los usuarios de farmacias, así como menor en quienes contaban con SIS y quienes compraban para su cónyuge o hijo(a). Sugerimos reforzar las intervenciones, principalmente regulatorias y educativas, en la sierra y en la selva, así como, en la población no afiliada a un seguro de salud.

El Comité Editor de la revista Acta Médica Peruana (AMP) agradece a cada uno de los destacados profesionales, expertos en sus respectivas áreas, quienes han colaborado de forma desinteresada y con celeridad en la revisión de los manuscritos que les fueron enviados para su evaluación.

La violencia, en cualquiera de sus formas, es un acto inaceptable caracterizado por la pérdida elemental del respeto por la dignidad e integridad de la persona humana. Cuando esta agresión se dirige contra el personal de salud en funciones, quienes se exponen diariamente en la loable labor de asistir, curar y acompañar a una persona que necesita de ellos para recuperar o mantener su salud, no debe ser tolerada y se tiene que buscar los mecanismos necesarios para protegerlos [1]. Lamentablemente, la violencia contra los trabajadores de la salud es cada vez más frecuente, diversos reportes en Estados Unidos [2], China [3], India [4], España [5], Bélgica [6] estiman que al menos uno de cada dos médicos ha tenido una experiencia de violencia en el lugar de trabajo en su vida, la cual puede ser verbal, psicológica, física o sexual.

Resumen: Objetivos: Estimar la mortalidad precoz en pacientes con enfermedad renal crónica que iniciaron hemodiálisis por urgencia entre los años 2012-2014 en un hospital de referencia nacional en Lima, Perú, e identificar los factores de riesgo. Diseño, características, participantes y mediciones: Se estudió una cohorte retrospectiva mediante la revisión de historias clínicas de todos los pacientes admitidos a la Unidad de Hemodiálisis del hospital en el periodo de tiempo señalado. Se evaluó mortalidad precoz, definida como la muerte dentro de los primeros 90 días luego de iniciar hemodiálisis, así como edad, sexo, etiología de enfermedad renal crónica, comorbilidades, causa de muerte, tasa de filtración glomerular estimada, acceso vascular, entre otras variables, en los pacientes que iniciaron hemodiálisis por urgencia. Se estimó la mortalidad precoz mediante frecuencias y se utilizó regresión de Poisson con varianza robusta para determinar los factores de riesgo. Resultados: Se encontró que el 43,4% fueron mujeres, el 51,5% tenían ≥ 65 años y una mortalidad precoz del 9,3%. Los principales factores de riesgo fueron tasa de filtración glomerular estimada > 10 mL/min/1,73 m2 (RR: 2,72 [IC 95%: 1,60-4,61]); edad ≥ 65 años (RR: 2,51 [IC 95%: 1,41-4,48]); infección de catéter venoso central, RR: 2,25 (IC 95%: 1,08-4,67); sexo femenino, RR: 2,15 (IC 95%: 1,29-3,58); y albúmina 10 mL/min/1,73 m2. Abstract: Objectives: To estimate early mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease who started emergency haemodialysis between 2012 and 2014 in a national referral hospital in Lima, Peru, and to identify risk factors. Design, characteristics, participants and measurements: A retrospective cohort study was conducted by reviewing the medical records of all patients admitted to the hospital's Haemodialysis Unit from 2012 to 2014. Early mortality, defined as death within the first 90 days of starting haemodialysis, as well as age, gender, chronic kidney disease aetiology, comorbidities, cause of death, estimated glomerular filtration rate, vascular access and other variables were evaluated in patients who initiated emergency haemodialysis. Early mortality was estimated using frequencies and risk factors were determined by Poisson regression with robust variance. Results: 43.4% of patients were female, 51.5% were aged ≥ 65 years and the early mortality rate was 9.3%. The main risk factors were estimated glomerular filtration rate > 10 ml/min/1.73 m2 (RR: 2.72 [95% CI: 1.60-4.61]); age ≥ 65 years (RR: 2.51 [95% CI: 1.41-4.48]); central venous catheter infection, RR: 2.25 (95% CI: 1.08-4.67); female gender, RR: 2.15 (95% CI: 1.29-3.58); and albumin 10 ml/min/1.73 m2. Palabras clave: Diálisis renal, Mortalidad, Enfermedad renal crónica, Keywords: Renal dialysis, Mortality, Chronic kidney disease

Objectives: To estimate early mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease who started emergency haemodialysis between 2012 and 2014 in a national referral hospital in Lima, Peru, and to identify risk factors. Design, characteristics, participants and measurements: A retrospective cohort study was conducted by reviewing the medical records of all patients admitted to the hospital's Haemodialysis Unit from 2012 to 2014. Early mortality, defined as death within the first 90 days of starting haemodialysis, as well as age, gender, chronic kidney disease aetiology, comorbidities, cause of death, estimated glomerular filtration rate, vascular access and other variables were evaluated in patients who initiated emergency haemodialysis. Early mortality was estimated using frequencies, and risk factors were determined by Poisson regression with robust variance. Results: 43.4% of patients were female, 51.5% were aged ≥65 years and the early mortality rate was 9.3%. The main risk factors were estimated glomerular filtration rate >10 mL/min/1.73 m2 (RR: 2.72 [95% CI: 1.60–4.61]); age ≥65 years (RR: 2.51 [95% CI: 1.41–4.48]); central venous catheter infection, RR: 2.25 (95% CI: 1.08–4.67); female gender, RR: 2.15 (95% CI: 1.29–3.58); and albumin 10 mL/min/1.73 m2. Resumen: Objetivos: Estimar la mortalidad precoz en pacientes con enfermedad renal crónica que iniciaron hemodiálisis por urgencia entre los años 2012-2014 en un hospital de referencia nacional en Lima, Perú, e identificar los factores de riesgo. Diseño, características, participantes y mediciones: Se estudió una cohorte retrospectiva mediante la revisión de historias clínicas de todos los pacientes admitidos a la Unidad de Hemodiálisis del hospital en el periodo de tiempo señalado. Se evaluó mortalidad precoz, definida como la muerte dentro de los primeros 90 días luego de iniciar hemodiálisis, así como edad, sexo, etiología de enfermedad renal crónica, comorbilidades, causa de muerte, tasa de filtración glomerular estimada, acceso vascular, entre otras variables, en los pacientes que iniciaron hemodiálisis por urgencia. Se estimó la mortalidad precoz mediante frecuencias y se utilizó regresión de Poisson con varianza robusta para determinar los factores de riesgo. Resultados: Se encontró que el 43,4% fueron mujeres, el 51,5% tenían ≥ 65 años y una mortalidad precoz del 9,3%. Los principales factores de riesgo fueron tasa de filtración glomerular estimada > 10 mL/min/1,73 m2 (RR: 2,72 [IC 95%: 1,60-4,61]); edad ≥ 65 años (RR: 2,51 [IC 95%: 1,41-4,48]); infección de catéter venoso central, RR: 2,25 (IC 95%: 1,08–4,67); sexo femenino, RR: 2,15 (IC 95%: 1,29–3,58); y albúmina 10 mL/min/1,73 m2. Keywords: Renal dialysis, Mortality, Chronic kidney disease, Palabras clave: Diálisis renal, Mortalidad, Enfermedad renal crónica

Aim: To identify factors associated to burnout syndrome (BS) in health workers from Peru in 2014.Methods: A cross-sectional study by secondary analysis of the Peruvian National Survey of Users of Health in 2014 was conducted. BS was measured using the Maslach Burnout Inventory - Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS). A descriptive analysis was performed, also bivariate and multivariate analysis were performed calculating p values and crude and adjusted OR by logistic regression.Results: Prevalence of BS in health professionals was 2.8% and associated variables were: gender, time in the health, working hours and total monthly income.Conclusions: We found that factors associated with SB on health workers of Peru in 2014 were gender, time in the health sector, working hours and the total monthly income.

Introduction: Social health services in Peru have certain problems such as unsafe work conditions, mortality associated with traffic accidents and poor insurance coverage. Objective: To describe the problems perceived and experienced by health professionals who render Rural and Urban Marginal Health Service (SERUMS in Spanish) in Ancash (Peru), and to evaluate their association with the profession and the category of the facilities where SERUMS is rendered. Materials and methods: In April 2015, an analytical cross-sectional study was carried out in professionals who were rendering SERUMS in facilities of the Ministry of Health in Ancash. Surveys were applied to collect general data, and characteristics and problems of SERUMS. Results: 364 surveys were analyzed. 79.3% were females, and the average age was 27.4±5.0 years. During SERUMS, 80.0% of participants perceived lack of supplies, 54.4% perceived excessive workload, and 14.7% suffered some traffic accident. Being a physician and working in I-1 health facilities were factors associated with suffering traffic accidents and other kind of accidents. Conclusions: Respondents reported excessive workload, lack of supplies, and accidents. Accidents were more frequent in physicians and in I-1 health facilities.

Abstract Background Latin America is undergoing a human resource crisis in health care in terms of labor shortage, misdistribution and poor orientation to primary care. Workforce data are needed to inform the planning of long-term strategies to address this problem. This study aimed to evaluate the academic and motivational profile, as well as the professional expectations, of Latin American medical students. Results We conducted an observational, cross-sectional, multi-country study evaluating medical students from 11 Spanish-speaking countries in 2011–2012. Motivations to study medicine, migration intentions, intent to enter postgraduate programs, and perceptions regarding primary care were evaluated via a self-administered questionnaire. Outcomes were measured with pilot-tested questions and previously validated scales. A total of 11,072 valid surveys from 63 medical schools were gathered and analyzed. Conclusions This study describes the profile and expectations of the future workforce being trained in Latin America. The obtained information will be useful for governments and universities in planning strategies to improve their current state of affairs regarding human resources for health care professions.

Objectives.To calculate the frequency and factors associated with external workplace violence (EWV) against doctors in health inpatient services in the metropolitan area of Lima (Spanish: Lima Metropolitana), Peru. Materials and methods. A cross-sectional analytic study, which included doctors from the Ministry of Health (MINSA), Social Security (EsSalud), and the private subsector, was carried out. The frequency of EWV was measured throughout the entire professional practice during the previous 12 months and during the last month. Variables related to the doctor, assailant, and health service were measured. Raw and adjusted prevalence ratios (PR) were calculated by means of a Poisson-family generalized linear model with non-parametric bootstrapping. Results. A total of 406 doctors participated; 31.5% were victims of EWV at least once during their professional practice, with 19.9% over the past 12 months and 7.6% during the last month. The chances of being threatened in the last 12 months increased if the doctor was male (adjusted PR [aPR]: 1.7; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.1- 2.8), had graduated from a Peruvian university outside of the metropolitan area of Lima (aPR: 1.5; 95% CI = 1.1-2.4), worked at MINSA (aPR: 7.9; 95% CI = 2.24-50.73) or EsSalud (RR: 8.68; 95% CI = 2.26-56.17), and worked in the emergency (aPR: 1.9; 95% CI = 1.2-3.6) or operating room (aPR: 1.6; 95% CI = 1.1-2.3). Age, years of professional practice, or being a medical resident were not associated with EWV. Conclusion. In the hospitals studied, a large number of doctors have been victims of EWV. Working in public services increases the possibility of violence. Implementation of support, identification, and primary prevention strategies in hospitals is recommended.

ObjectivesThis study aimed to determine the relationship between stunting in children 6 to 36 months old and maternal employment status in Peru.MethodsA secondary data analysis was conducted using information from the Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) in Peru. We used a representative sample of 4637 mother-child binomials to determine the association between stunting in children 6 to 36 months of age and the employment status of their mothers.ResultsThe prevalence of stunting among children was 15.9% (95% CI: 13.9-16.7). The prevalence of working mothers was 63.7%. No association was found between maternal employment status and the presence of stunting in children [prevalence ratio (PR) = 1.04; 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 0.9 to 1.2; p = 0.627). However, on multivariate analysis we found that the prevalence of stunting was significantly higher among children of mothers performing unpaid work (12.4%) (PR = 1.38; 95% CI: 1.2-1.6; p < 0.001) compared with those of paid working mothers.ConclusionNo significant association was found between maternal employment status and the presence of stunting in children 6 to 36 months of age. However, children of mothers doing unpaid work are at higher risk of stunting. These findings support the implementation of educational programs and labour policies to reduce the prevalence of stunting among children.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0212164.].

Objectives. To estimate the prevalence of burnout syndrome (BOS) in Peruvian physicians and nurses in 2014 according to different cutoff points established in the literature. Materials and methods. This was a cross-sectional and descriptive study based on the National Survey on User Satisfaction of Health Services for 2014 (ENSUSALUD-2014), which features two-stage probability sampling. BOS was identified by the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS) using different cutoff points to establish prevalence, including default values, terciles, and quartiles. Results. Of the 5062 health professionals, 62.3% were women, 44.0% were physicians, 46.0% belonged to the MINSA, and 23.1% worked in Lima. The overall BOS prevalence was 2.8% (95% CI, 2.4–3.2), when default values were used; the prevalence was 7.9% (95% CI, 7.3–8.6) when quartiles were used as cutoff points and 12.5% (95% CI, 11.4–13.6) when terciles were used as cutoff points. The prevalence was higher in doctors than in nurses, regardless of the cutoff point used (3.7% vs. 2.1% using default values, 10.2 vs. 6.1% using quartiles, and 16.2 vs. 9.5% using terciles). Conclusions. The prevalence of BOS in health workers differs within the same population when different cutoff points are used. The use of default values is recommended by the instrument author until specific cut-points for our country are obtained.

Here we describe the case of a 19-year-old woman, in her 29th week of gestation, who was from Llumpe (Ancash, Peru) and had a history of traveling to Chanchamayo (Junín, Peru) and Rinconada (Ancash, Peru). The patient presented at Chacas Hospital (Chacas, Ancash, Peru) with general malaise, dehydration, respiratory distress, jaundice, the sensation of thermal rise, and abdominal pain. Analysis of blood smears revealed 60% hemoparasites. She was transferred to Ramos Guardia Hospital (Huaraz, Peru) where she presented increasing respiratory distress, choluria, hematuria, and decreased urine output, moreover she was positive for Plasmodium. From there she was transferred to Cayetano Heredia Hospital (Lima, Peru), where she was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) with multiple organ failure, stillbirth, and leading to death. She underwent mechanical ventilation, was administered clindamycin, and was prescribed quinine, which she did not received due a lack by availability. The evolution of the illness was torpid, and she ultimately developed multiple organ failure and died. Plasmodium vivax infection was confirmed. Accordingly, we emphasize the importance of improving our diagnostic capabilities and management techniques to enable clinicians to provide adequate and timely treatment.

Objectives. To assess supply and nutritional composition of the salads offered as an entrée main course in the food courts of the shopping centers in Lima, Peru. Materials and methods. The menus of all food franchises present in the food courts of the eleven shopping centers of Lima were reviewed. The nutritional composition of salads offered as an entrée were calculated for calories, protein content, carbohydrates, fats, cholesterol, fiber and sodium, and the adequacy of intake for a dinner (30% of a diet of 2000 kcal). Results. Salads as entrées accounted for 4.7% of the supply, and only 7 out of 17 franchises offered at least one salad. The average cost of the salads was higher than the other dishes ($5.3 vs $4.7; p0.001). The average calorie content was 329 kcal and 2.7 g fiber; in relation to a dinner, we found a high percentage of adequacy for protein (172.9%), cholesterol (121.0%), and low adequacy for calories (54.8%), carbohydrates (23.1%) and fiber (36.4%). Conclusions. The salads that are offered in food courts in the shopping centers of Lima are scarce and more expensive, have little fiber content and are high in cholesterol. Strategies should be reviewed to improve the accessibility of quality salads offered in areas where only fast food is offered.

Objetives. The aim of this study is to evaluate the association between the time of outsourced work and the development of pneumoconiosis in Peruvian miners who attended the “Centro Nacional de Salud Ocupacional y Protección al Ambiente para la Salud” between 2008 and 2011. Materials and methods. Retrospective case-control study. Cases were defined as workers diagnosed of pneumoconiosis under standardized criteria. Outsourced work was defined as the time (in months) of work in a company that does not own the primary mining project. The project owner company was registered in the Mining Companies Directory (Ministerio de Energía y Minas). We used multiple logistic regression with crude and adjusted ORs. Results. The study comprised 391 cases and 1519 controls. In both groups, most of the study subjects had a level of education lower than complete high school and were born and currently lived in the Peruvian highlands. There was statistically significant association between more frequency of pneumoconiosis and working 10 or more years in an outsourced company (OR: 1.50; 95%CI: 1.05-1.14; p=0.026). Miners with pneumoconiosis were more likely not to have education (OR: 3.07; 95%CI: 1.55–6.08; p=0.001), be currently living at the Peruvian highlands (OR: 1.40; 95%CI: 1.10-1.78; p=0.007) and to have more than 20 years of underground work history (OR: 8.92; 95%CI: 4.53-18.25; p0.001). Conclusions. A statistically significant association was found between neumoconiosis and the time of outsourced work. Not having education, residing in the Peruvian highlands and the time of underground work were associated risk factors.

Objectives. Identify risk factors for at-term small for gestational age newborns. Materials and methods. Retrospective cohort study using data from the Maternal Perinatal Information System of the Maria Auxiliadora Hospital of Lima, from the period 2000-2010. Maternal age, parity, education level, marital status, pregestational body mass index, number of prenatal care visits, presence of conditions such as preeclampsia, eclampsia, urinary tract infection and gestational diabetes as risk factors in small for gestational age newborns were evaluated. The weight for gestational age was calculated based on Peruvian percentiles. Crude relative risk (RR) and adjusted (ARR) were calculated with confidence intervals of 95% using log-binomial generalized linear models. Results. 64,670 pregnant women were included. The incidence for small for gestational age was 7.2%. Preeclampsia (ARR 2.0, 95% CI: 1.86 to 2.15), eclampsia (ARR 3.22, 95% CI: 2.38 to 4.35), low maternal weight (ARR 1.38; 95% CI: 1.23 to 1.54), nulliparity (ARR 1.32, 95% CI: 1.23 to 1.42), age ≥35 years (ARR 1.16, 95% CI: 1.04 -1.29), having prenatal care visits from 0 to 2 (ARR 1.43, 95% CI: 1.32 to 1.55) and 3 to 5 (ARR 1.22, 95% CI: 1.14 to 1.32) were risk factors for small for gestational age. Conclusions. It is necessary to identify pregnant women with risk factors such as those found to decrease the condition of small for gestational age. Actions should emphasize modifiable factors, such as the frequency of prenatal care visits.

Objetivos: analizar el riesgo de complicaciones obstétricas y perinatales en adolescentes embarazadas en un hospital de Lima, Perú. Métodos: estudio de cohorte retrospectiva de 67.693 gestantes atendidas en el período 2000-2010. Se evaluó complicaciones obstétricas y perinatales. Las adolescentes se clasificaron en tardías (15-19 años) y tempranas (< 15 años) y se compararon con las adultas (20-35 años). Se calculó OR ajustados por educación, estado civil, control prenatal, gestaciones previas, paridad e IMC pregestacional. Resultados: se encontró mayor riesgo de cesárea (OR=1,28; IC95%=1,07-1,53) e infección puerperal (OR=1,72; IC95%=1,17-2,53) en las adolescentes menores de 15 años, así como mayor riesgo (OR=1,34; IC95%=1,29-1,40)de episiotomía en las adolescentes tardías. Asimismo, se identificó un menor riesgo del embarazo adolescente para preeclampsia (OR=0,90; IC95%=0,85-0,97), hemorragia de la 2da mitad del embarazo (OR=0,80; IC95%=0,71-0,92), ruptura prematura de membranas (OR=0,83; IC95%=0,79-0,87), amenaza de parto pretérmino (OR=0,87; IC95%=0,80-0,94) y desgarro vaginal (OR= 0,86; IC95%=0,79-0,93). Conclusión: el embarazo se comporta como factor de riesgo para ciertas complicaciones obstétricas en la población adolescente, especialmente en las adolescentes tempranas. Existen además otros factores, que sumados a la edad materna, constituyen la necesidad de formar equipos multidis-ciplinarios para reducir complicaciones obstétricas en esta población.

Objetivo: Determinar la variación de la función visual y la calidad de vida en pacientes con cataratas antes y después de la facoemulsificación con colocación de LIO. Métodos: Estudio longitudinal en pacientes mayores de 50 años, intervenidos de catarata con la cirugía de facoemulsificación con colocación de LIO. Se evaluó la variación de la función visual con el VFQ-25 y la calidad de vida con el QOL.Q antes de la intervención quirúrgica y luego de 3 meses. Resultados: La edad media de los pacientes fue de 74 ± 7.4 años (55%), de los cuales 37.5% tuvieron una cirugía previa de cataratas. Se evidenció una variación favorable de la función visual en las subescalas de Salud general (p

Introducción: La emigración médica en el Perú supone un importante problema en la búsqueda de la consolidación de un sistema de salud sostenible. Objetivos: Estimar la prevalencia de intención de emigración y sus factores asociados según género en médicos peruanos recién egresados. Diseño y lugar de estudio: Estudio analítico de corte transversal llevado a cabo en Lima, Perú, durante el año 2010. Participantes: Se incluyó a 289 médicos egresados de universidades de peruanas. Intervenciones: Se aplicó una encuesta anónima y autoadministrada que evaluaba la intención de emigración para laborar y sus factores asociados. Los datos fueron analizados con el paquete estadístico STATA 11.2; se utilizó un modelo lineal generalizado log-binomial como método de regresión de múltiples variables. Principales medidas de resultados: Intención de emigración autorreportada. Resultados: La prevalencia de intención de emigración fue de 42,1%; esta fue mayor en el género masculino (50,0% versus 36,4%; p

Se realizó un estudio bibliométrico para describir la producción científica peruana en cáncer en revistas de visibilidad internacional, y evaluar las redes de colaboración científica. Se incluyó los artículos publicados sobre cáncer hechos en Perú en el periodo 2000 a 2011 en revistas indizadas en SCOPUS o Science Citation Index Expanded. Se identificaron 358 artículos, evidenciándose un incremento en la producción de cuatro artículos en el 2000 a 57 en el 2011. Los cánceres más estudiados fueron los de cuello uterino (77 publicaciones); mama (53), y estómago (37). El Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Neoplásicas (INEN) fue la institución más productiva (121 artículos) y con mayor número de colaboraciones (180 instituciones distintas). Se identificaron 52 ensayos clínicos, 29 con al menos un autor del INEN. En conclusión, la investigación en cáncer en Perú se está incrementando, el INEN es la institución más productiva, con importante participación en ensayos clínicosA bibliometric study was carried out to describe the scientific production on cancer written by peruvians and published in international health journals, as well as to assess the scientific collaboration networks. It included articles on cancer written in Peru between the years 2000 and 2011 and published in health journals indexed in SCOPUS or Science Citation Index Expanded. In the 358 articles identified, an increase in the production was seen, from 4 articles in 2000 to 57 in 2011.The most studied types were cervical cancer (77 publications); breast cancer (53), and gastric cancer (37). The National Institute of Neoplastic Diseases (INEN) was the most productive institution (121 articles) and had the highest number of collaborations (180 different institutions). 52 clinical trials were identified, 29 of which had at least one author from INEN. We can conclude that, cancer research is increasing in Peru, the INEN being the most productive institution, with an important participation in clinical trials

Objetivos. Determinar la proporción de publicación de los resúmenes presentados a los congresos científicos nacionales de estudiantes de medicina de Perú entre los años 2002 y 2009 y sus factores asociados. Materiales y métodos. Se realizó una cohorte retrospectiva, se evaluó las características de todos los resúmenes presentados y se determinó si habían sido publicados en revistas científicas utilizando una estrategia de búsqueda validada con Google Académico. Se calculó los riesgos relativos (RR), crudos y ajustados mediante la regresión de Poisson con varianza robusta para evaluar asociación con los factores analizados. Resultados. Se analizó 532 resúmenes; 52 (9,8%) fueron publicados en revistas científicas luego de su participación en el congreso; en todos los casos fue en revistas peruanas y en español. La principal revista donde se publicaron fue (CIMEL) (13/52). La mediana del tiempo de publicación fue de 13 meses (rango: 0-75). El que un alumno de la Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos (RR: 5,18; IC95%:2,3-11,6) sea autor del resumen y que el resumen sea de autoría colaborativa entre alumnos de dos universidades (RR: 3,64; IC95%:1,1-11,7) son factores asociados en el análisis multivariado. Conclusiones. La proporción de publicación de resúmenes presentados a los congresos científicos nacionales de estudiantes de medicina de Perú es baja. Se deben implementar nuevas medidas y reforzar las existentes para incentivar una mayor publicación de los trabajos presentados.Objectives. To determine the publication rate of abstracts submitted at the national scientific meetings of medical students in Peru between 2002 and 2009, and associated factors. Materials and methods. A retrospective cohort was performed; the characteristics of overall abstract submitted were assessed. In addition, whether they were published in scientific journals was determined by way of a search strategy validated using Google Scholar. Crude and adjusted relative risks (RR) were calculated using Poisson regression with robust variance to assess association with the analyzed factors. Results. 532 abstracts were analyzed, 52 (9.8%) of which were published in scientific journals after their presentation at a scientific meeting. All of them were published in Peruvian journals written in Spanish. The most important journal in which they were published was Ciencia e Investigación Médica Estudiantil Latinoamericana (CIMEL) (13/52). The median of publication time was 13 months (range: 0-75). The fact that a student from the Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos (RR: 5.18; CI95%:2.3-11.6) is the author of the abstract and that the abstract was collaboratively written by students from two universities (RR: 3.64; CI95%:1.1-11.7) are associated factors in the multivariate analysis. Conclusions. The publication rate of abstract submitted at national scientific meetings of medical students in Peru is low. New strategies should be taken, and the existing ones should be reinforced in order to increase the publication rate of the abstract submitted.

Resumen INTRODUCCIÓN La enfermedad renal crónica afecta a 50 millones de personas en el mundo. Diversos estudios manifiestan la importancia de implementar intervenciones que mejoren el conocimiento de los pacientes respecto a su enfermedad. En 2011 se elaboró el Kidney Disease Knowledge Survey, cuestionario que valora el conocimiento específico respecto de la enfermedad renal crónica en pacientes no dializados. OBJETIVO Realizar la traducción al español, adaptación cultural y validación del cuestionario Kidney Disease Knowledge Survey en una población de pacientes con enfermedad renal crónica en estadios pre-dialíticos. MÉTODOS Se llevó a cabo la traducción, retraducción y adaptación cultural del cuestionario. Posteriormente, se determinó su validez y fiabilidad. La primera, mediante la validez de constructo y la segunda, valorando su consistencia interna y fiabilidad intra-observador (test-retest). RESULTADOS Se encontró una buena consistencia interna (Kuder–Richardson=0,85). Respecto de la fiabilidad intra observador, el coeficiente de correlación intraclase obtuvo un valor de 0,78 (intervalo de confianza 95%; 0,5-1,0) que indica una buena reproducibilidad. La diferencia de medias de test-retest de -1,1 DS 6,0 (p= 0,369), confirman lo anterior. DISCUSIÓN La versión obtenida en español del Kidney Disease Knowledge Survey es aceptable y equivalente a la versión original. Además, tiene buen grado de fiabilidad, validez y reproducibilidad. Por ende, podría ser empleada en una población de pacientes con enfermedad renal crónica en estadios pre-dialíticos.

BACKGROUND:The shortage in Latin-American Primary Care (PC) workforce may be due to negative perceptions about it. These perceptions might be probably influenced by particular features of health systems and academic environments, thus varying between countries. METHODS:Observational, analytic and cross-sectional multicountry study that evaluated 9,561 first and fifth-year medical students from 63 medical schools of 11 Latin American countries through a survey. Perceptions on PC work was evaluated through a previously validated scale. Tertiles of the scores were created in order to compare the different countries. Crude and adjusted prevalence ratios were calculated using simple and multiple Poisson regression with robust variance. RESULTS:Approximately 53% of subjects were female; mean age was 20.4±2.9 years; 35.5% were fifth-year students. Statistically significant differences were found between the study subjects' country, using Peru as reference. Students from Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Paraguay perceived PC work more positively, while those from Ecuador showed a less favorable position. No differences were found among perceptions of Bolivian, Salvadoran, Honduran and Venezuelan students when compared to their Peruvian peers. CONCLUSIONS:Perceptions of PC among medical students from Latin America vary according to country. Considering such differences can be of major importance for potential local specific interventions.

INTRODUCTION:The selection of a medical specialty has been associated with multiple factors, such as personal preferences, academic exposure, motivational factors and sociodemographic factors, such as gender. The number of women in the medical field has increased in recent years. In Latin America, we have not found any studies that explore this relationship. OBJECTIVE:To determine whether there is an association between gender and the intention to choose a medical specialty in medical students from 11 countries in Latin America. METHODS:Secondary analysis of the Collaborative Working Group for the Research of Human Resources for Health (Red-LIRHUS) data; a multi-country project of students in their first year and fifth year of study, from 63 medical schools in 11 Latin American countries. All students who referred intention to choose a certain medical specialty were considered as participants. RESULTS:Of the 11073 surveyed students, 9235 indicated the name of a specific specialty. The specialties chosen most often in the fifth year were General Surgery (13.0%), Pediatrics (11.0%), Internal Medicine (10.3%) and Obstetrics/Gynecology (9.0%). For women, the top choices were Pediatrics (15.8%), Obstetrics/Gynecology (11.0%), Cardiology (8.7%), General Surgery (8.6%), and Oncology (6.4%). In the adjusted analysis, the female gender was associated with the choice of Obstetrics/Gynecology (RP: 2.75; IC95%: 2.24-3.39); Pediatric Surgery (RP: 2.19; IC95%: 1.19-4.00), Dermatology (RP: 1.91; IC95%:1.24-2.93), Pediatrics (RP: 1.83; IC95%: 1.56-2.17), and Oncology (RP: 1.37; IC95%: 1.10-1.71). CONCLUSIONS:There is an association between the female gender and the intention to choose Obstetrics/Gynecology, Pediatrics, Pediatric Surgery, Dermatology, and Oncology. We recommend conducting studies that consider other factors that can influence the choice of a medical specialty.

Objetivos. Evaluar la implementación del programa de suplementación universal con multimicronutrientes “Chispitas®” en la región Apurímac a través de la cantidad y calidad de sobres consumidos y su relación con la anemia, en niños de 6 a 35 meses. Materiales y métodos. Se realizó un estudio transversal usando un muestreo multietápico en el 2010. Se consideró como anemia a los valores de hemoglobina ajustados por altitud menores de 110 g/L. El consumo de multimicronutrientes se categorizó en: menor de 30; de 30 a 59, y 60 o más sobres. La calidad del consumo fue adecuada cuando la madre refería que el niño consumía toda la comida con el suplemento. Se calculó las razones de prevalencia (RPa) ajustadas por regresión de Poisson. Resultados. Se incluyó 714 participantes, 25,3% vivía en hogares pobres y 59,2% en extrema pobreza; 52,6% residía a más de 3000 m de altitud. La prevalencia de anemia fue de 51,3% (IC95%: 47,1-55,4%), 5,4% no recibió la intervención; 60,3% consumió 60 o más sobres y 49,0% los consumió en forma adecuada. No se encontró asociación entre la cantidad de sobres recibidos o consumidos y la anemia (pObjectives. To assess the implementation of the Universal “Chispitas®” Multimicronutrient Supplement Program in Apurimac by determining the quantity and quality of sachets consumed and their connection with anemia, in 6 - 35-month-old children. Materials and methods. A crosscut study was conducted by using a multistage sample in 2010. Anemia was considered to be related to altitude-adjusted hemoglobin values below 110 g/L. The consumption of multimicronutrients was classified as follows: less than 30; 30 to 59, and 60 or more sachets. The quality of consumption was considered to be adequate when the mother indicated that the child ate all his food with the supplement. The rationale for prevalence (RPa) adjusted by Poisson regression was calculated. Results. 714 participants were included, 25.3% of which lived in poor houses and 59.2% in extreme poverty; 52.6% lived at over 3000 m of altitude. The prevalence of anemia was 51.3% (CI95%: 47.1-55.4%), 5.4% did not receive intervention; 60.3% consumed 60 or more sachets and 49.0% consumed them adequately. No association between the number of sachets received or consumed and anemia (p

Objetivos. Estimar la prevalencia y factores asociados con la proyección de trabajo en el interior del país de médicos de Lima. Materiales y métodos. Se realizó un estudio de corte transversal en 782 médicos quienes fueron encuestados durante su proceso de colegiatura entre los meses de marzo y abril del 2010. Se definió como proyección de trabajo en el interior del país si respondieron "interior del país" a la pregunta ¿dónde planea estar laborando en los próximos cinco años?. Se usó la regresión logística múltiple para encontrar los factores asociados. Resultados. La edad media de los participantes fue de 25 años, 54% fueron mujeres y 73% son de universidades privadas. Sólo 7,0% refirió proyectarse trabajar en el interior del país y el 0,5% en zonas rurales. No se encontró asociación con el género, lugar de nacimiento, tener familiares médicos, tipo de universidad, dominio del inglés, haber residido por más de un año en provincias y el año de realización del internado. En el análisis multivariado se encontró asociación con haber realizado el internado en un hospital del interior del país (OR:3,1; IC95%:1,5-6,3), comunicarse en quechua (OR: 2,9; IC:1,4-6,1), que ambos padres nacieran en el interior del país (OR:2,8; IC:1,4-5,6); mientras que la proyección de un sueldo mensual superior a 5000 nuevos soles (OR:0,4; IC:0,2-0,8) y vivir con su familia nuclear o pareja (OR:0,3; IC:0,1-0,5) se asociaron en forma negativa. Conclusiones. Es baja la proyección de trabajo en el interior del país en los médicos colegiados en Lima. Algunos de los factores encontrados pueden ayudar a diseñar estrategias para revertir esta situación.Objectives. To estimate the prevalence and associated factors with the labor porjection in the countryside of physicians from Lima. Materials and methods. We conducted a cross-sectional study of 782 physicians who were surveyed during their affiliation at Peruvian Medical College during March and April 2010. Labor projection in the countryside was defined such as if they responded "inside the country" to the question "Where do you plan to be working in the next five years?" We used a multiple logistic regression model to find the associated factors. Results. The average age of the participants was 25 years, 54% were female and 73% graduated in private universities. Only 7.0% reported plans to work in the countryside and 0,5% in rural areas. No association with gender, place of birth, having physicians in their family, university type, the english efficiency, having resided for more than a one year in the provinces and the year of completion of internship was found. In the multivariate analysis, we found association with having made the internship inside the country (OR: 3.1, 95%CI :1.5-6.3), communicate in Quechua (OR: 2.9, CI 1.4- 6.1), both parents born in the countryside (OR: 2.8, CI :1.4-5.6), while a monthly salary projection of more than $ 1780 dollars (OR: 0.4 CI :0.2-0,8) and living with their nuclear family or partner (OR: 0.3, CI :0.1-0.5) were negatively associated. Conclusions. Labor projection of work in the countryside of recently collegiated physicians from Lima is low. Some of the factors found can help to design strategies to reverse this situation.

El objetivo de este artículo es presentar el estado del Sistema Nacional de Investigación en Salud de Perú (SNIS), las lecciones aprendidas en el proceso de construcción, las oportunidades de mejora y los retos. Se hace una descripción de las funciones del SNIS peruano, con relación a la gobernanza, el marco legal, la priorización de la investigación, el financiamiento, la creación y la sostenibilidad de recursos y la producción y utilización de la investigación. Se describe que en Perú se ejerce la gobernanza en la investigación, se cuenta con regulaciones, política y prioridades de investigación, estas últimas desarrolladas en el marco de un proceso participativo e inclusivo. Se concluye que los retos del SNIS peruano son consolidar la gobernanza y desarrollar los mecanismos para articular a los actores involucrados con la investigación, incrementar la asignación de recursos para la investigación e innovación, elaborar e implementar un plan para el desarrollo de recursos humanos dedicados a la investigación, desarrollar las instituciones y competencias regionales para hacer investigación, ligar la investigación para solucionar problemas y hacer sostenibles las políticas nacionales de investigación.The objective of this paper is to present the situational status of the National Health Research System of Peru (NHRS), the lessons learnt during the building process, the opportunities to improve it and the challenges. A description of the functions of the peruvian NHRS is done, in relation to governance, legal framework, research priorities, funding, creation and sustainability of resources and research production and utilization. It describes that in Peru we excert governance in research, we count with regulations, policy and research priorities, these last developed in the framework of a partipatory, inclusive process. The conclusion reached is that the challenges of the peruvian NHRS are to consolidate the governance and to develop the mechanisms to articulate the stakeholders involved in research, to improve the resources allocation for research and innovation, to ellaborate a plan for the development of human resources dedicated to research, to develop institutions and regional competences in order to perform research, and to link research in order to solve problems and make national research policies sustainable.

Objetivos. Describir la producción científica peruana en revistas indizadas en el Institute for Scientific Information (ISI) y las características de las redes de colaboración institucional. Materiales y métodos. Se incluyó todos los artículos publicados en la base de datos ISI (colección Clinical Medicine) en el periodo 2000 a 2009 con al menos un autor con filiación Perú. Se evaluó la tendencia de publicación, procedencia del autor corresponsal, tipo de artículo, institución, ciudad (solo para Perú) y país. Se analizó las redes de colaboración usando el programa Pajek ®. Resultados. Se encontró 1210 artículos, hubo un incremento de 61 en el 2000 a 200 en el 2009 (promedio 121 artículos/ año). El autor corresponsal fue de una institución peruana en el 30,4% de los casos. El promedio de autores por artículo fue de 8,3. Los artículos de investigación representaron el 82,1% del total. Las revistas que concentraron la mayor cantidad de artículos fueron relacionados a enfermedades infecciosas. Los principales países que colaboran con Perú son: Estados Unidos de Norteamérica (60,4%), Inglaterra (12,9%) y Brasil (8,0%). Lima concentró el 94,7% de las publicaciones y no se registró publicaciones procedentes de tres regiones (Huancavelica, Moquegua y Tacna). Solo dos universidades produjeron más de un artículo/año y cuatro instituciones produjeron más de 10 artículos/año. La Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia participó en el 45% de artículos siendo la institución más productiva y que concentra la mayor cantidad de colaboraciones con instituciones extranjeras. El Ministerio de Salud -con todas sus dependencias- participó con el 37,3% del total. Existe mayor nivel de colaboración con instituciones extranjeras que entre nacionales. Conclusiones. La producción científica peruana en medicina representada en la base ISI es escasa pero en crecimiento, está concentrada en Lima y en pocas instituciones. Las instituciones peruanas más productivas colaboran más intensamente con instituciones extranjeras que con nacionales.Objectives. To describe the Peruvian scientific production in indexed journals in the Institute for Scientific Information (ISI) and the characteristics of the institutional collaborative networks. Material and methods. All papers published in the ISI database (Clinical Medicine collection) were included during 2000 to 2009 with at least one author with a Peruvian affiliation. The publication trend, address of corresponding author, type of article, institution, city (only for Peru), and country were evaluated. The collaborative networks were analized using the Pajek® software. Results. 1210 papers were found, increasing from 61 in 2000 to 200 in 2009 (average of 121 articles/year). 30.4% articles included a corresponding author from a Peruvian institution. The average of authors per article was 8.3. Original articles represented 82.1% of total articles. Infectious diseases-related journals concentrated most of the articles. The main countries that collaborate with Peru are: USA (60.4%), England (12.9%), and Brazil (8.0%). Lima concentrated 94.7% of the publications and three regions (Huancavelica, Moquegua and Tacna) did not register any publication. Only two universities published more than one article/year and four institutions published more than 10 articles/year. Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia published 45% of the total number of articles, being the most productive institution and which concentrated the most number of collaborations with foreign institutions. The ministry of Health -including all dependencies- published 37.3% of the total number of publications. There is a higher level of collaboration with foreign institutions rather than local institutions. Conclusions. The Peruvian scientific production in medicine represented in the ISI database is very low but growing, and is concentrated in Lima and in a few institutions. The most productive Peruvian institutions collaborate more intensively with foreign journals rather than local institutions.