Mobilizing digital technology to implement a population-based psychological support response during the COVID-19 pandemic in Lima, Peru.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic caused considerable burden on mental health worldwide. To address this emergency in Peru, Socios en Salud (SES) implemented an innovative digital system for the diagnosis and psychological therapy in vulnerable populations. We describe the development, implementation, and participant outcomes of this intervention.

From HIV diagnosis to initiation of treatment: Social transformation among people starting antiretroviral therapy in Peru.

Social support is a key, yet elusive resource for HIV patients living in poverty in Lima, Peru. Despite a greater need for health services and encouragement from others, economic restraints, stigma, and trouble negotiating a fractured health system act as hurdles to accessing support. In this study, 33 people with HIV and 15 of their treatment supporters were interviewed upon initiation of antiretroviral therapy in order to understand changes in social support during this critical time, and how these changes affected their well-being.

Community-Based Needs Assessment of Neurodevelopment, Caregiver, and Home Environment Factors in Young Children Affected by HIV in Lima, Peru.

Background: In many resource-poor settings such as Peru, children affected by HIV have a high prevalence of neurodevelopmental delays (NDDs) and remain excluded from adequate treatment.

Methods: Community health workers (CHWs) administered NDD screening instruments to assess child development and associated caregiver and household factors in 14 HIV-affected parent-child dyads. Focus group discussion with caregivers was conducted to explore their needs and behaviors around early child stimulation and to assess their perceptions of the screening experience.