[Clinical and epidemiological review of tegumentary leishmaniasis in a central region of Peru]

BACKGROUND

Leishmaniasis is an infectious disease with a high prevalence and worldwide incidence, causing around 70,000 deaths per year.

AIM

To determine the clinical and epidemiological profile of cases of tegumentary leishmaniasis in the Province of Ambo, Department of Huánuco, Peru, during the period from 2000 to 2017.

METHODS

A descriptive, observational, retrospective and cross-sectional study was conducted population base.

RESULTS

We identified 1,312 confirmed cases of tegumentary leishmaniasis, the cutaneous clinical form had a higher prevalence compared to mucocutaneous (83.2 vs 16.7%). The infection in the masculine gender had greater predominance in front of the feminine one (53.3 vs 46.6%). The highest reported annual incidence rate was 412.67/ 100,000 inhabitants during the year 2000 while the lowest registered was in 2015 with 24.45/ 100,000 inhabitants. The Ambo district was the most affected in the clinical cutaneous form (43.1%) as mucocutaneous (38.2%) of the disease. The main diagnostic method for both clinical forms was microscopy (82.0 vs 81.0%) and the most used therapy was sodium stibogluconate (85.6 vs 78.6%). Failure to treatment was reported in 25% for both presentations clinics.

CONCLUSIONS

The eco-environmental conditions of this area of Peru have allowed the establishment of tegumentary leishmaniasis; showing trends similar to world literature. However, more research is needed to explain the epidemiological behavior of this disease that allows the creation of epidemiological prediction models for timely and adequate control.

Factors associated with homophobia in medical students from eleven Peruvian universities

BACKGROUND

The consequences of homophobia can affect the integrity, mental and physical health of homosexual individuals in society. There are few studies in Peru that have evaluated homophobia in the medical student population.

OBJECTIVE

To establish the social, educational and cultural factors associated with homophobia among Peruvian medical students.

METHODS

A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted in 12 medicine schools in Peru. Homophobia was defined according to a validated test, which was associated with other variables. Statistical associations were identified.

RESULTS

The lowest percentages of homophobic students (15-20%) were found in the four universities in Lima, while universities in the interior of the country had the highest percentages (22-62%). Performing a multivariate analysis, we found that the frequency of homophobia was lower for the following variables: the female gender (PRa=0.74; 95% CI, 0.61-0.92; p=0.005), studying at a university in Lima (PRa=0.57; 95% CI, 0.43-0.75; p<0.001), professing the Catholic religion (PRa=0.53; 95% CI, 0.37-0.76; p<0.001), knowing a homosexual (PRa=0.73; 95% CI, 0.60-0.90; p=0.003) and having treated a homosexual patient (PRa=0.76; 95% CI, 0.59-0.98; p=0.036). In contrast, the frequency of homophobia increased in male chauvinists (PRa=1.37; 95% CI, 1.09-1.72; p=0.007), adjusted by four variables.

CONCLUSIONS

Homophobia was less common in women, in those who study in the capital, those who profess Catholicism and those who know/have treated a homosexual. In contrast, male chauvinists were more homophobic.