Resumen

DURAND V, Salomón, RAMAL A, César, HUILCA, María et al. Oportunidad en el diagnóstico y tratamiento de la malaria en comunidades periurbanas de la amazonía peruana. Rev. perú. med. exp. salud publica, Ene./mar. 2005, vol.22, no.1, p.47-53. ISSN 1726-4634.

Objectives: To assess the Ministry of Health's (MINSA) capacities to timely diagnoses and treat malaria in the communities from the outskirts of Iquitos city. Materials and methods: Febrile patients suspected to have malaria and evaluated by health care workers were interviewed. Information obtained from interviews was contrasted with patient treatment forms and records of thick smear results from the health centers within jurisdiction. Results: There was an average difference of three days between sampling and obtainment of thick smear result by the health worker. 71 out of 200 febrile interviewees (35%) had a positive thick smear result. Health care workers started presumptive treatment in 28 (39%) of these cases, but it was adequate to the species only in 19 (26%). Likewise, health care workers started presumptive treatment for malaria in 13 (10%) febrile subjects with negative thick smears. Conclusions: Patients with malaria from the outskirts of Iquitos have to wait an average of 3 days to obtain adequate treatment. Patients seek to be treated in a timely manner, but delays are due to the organization of services.

Palabras llave: Malaria; Diagnosis; Therapy; Community Health Agent; Health System; Suburban Population; Peru.