Urban Versus Rural: A Cross-Sectional Study of a Successful Peruvian Global Health Medical Mission

Abstract

Background:The purpose of this study is to characterize the health conditions of two Peruvian populations in Chincha Alta and Sacred Valley, during a short-term medical mission in order to improve future global health efforts. Existing literature on the disease prevalence in these specific communities have not been previously reported. Methods:The study team consisted of medical students and faculty from a United States-based academic medical institution. The study site in CA was a modern local outpatient clinic and in SV, health posts in various small towns. This is a cross-sectional study that utilized convenience sampling of patients who sought care at previously established and temporary health clinics. Descriptive and comparative statistics were used.Results: Over three weeks, 420 patients were seen (CA n=197; SV n=223). Among adult patients, musculoskeletal (P<.001), head/neck (P<.001), neurologic (P<.001), gastrointestinal (P<.001), and genitourinary (P=.004) complaints were more common in SV than CA. Adult diagnoses of chronic musculoskeletal pain (P<.001), genitourinary infection (P=.03), gastritis (P=.01), and dehydration (P=.02) were more frequent in SV with lower respiratory infection (P=.002) and obesity (P=.009) being more frequent in CA. Conclusions:This study demonstrates the need for future STMMs to these Peruvian communities to refine prevention and management strategies.