AUTHOR=Sanchez-Samaniego Giuliana , Hartinger Stella M. , Tallman Paula S. , Mäusezahl Daniel 

TITLE=Cardiovascular Disease in the Peruvian Andes: Local Perceptions, Barriers, and Paths to Preventing Chronic Diseases in the Cajamarca Region

JOURNAL=International Journal of Public Health

VOLUME=Volume 66 - 2021

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.ssph-journal.org/journals/international-journal-of-public-health/articles/10.3389/ijph.2021.1604117

DOI=10.3389/ijph.2021.1604117

ISSN=1661-8564

ABSTRACT=Objectives: Public health interventions can be improved by understanding peoples' explanatory models of disease. We explore awareness and perceptions of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and options for preventive actions in young rural adults highlanders.
Methods: 46 men and women from Cajamarca communities were purposively selected to participate in eight focus groups, where participants discussed their understanding and causes of CVD, barriers and pathways to healthy lifestyles.  
Results: Fresh foods, physical activity, unpleasant emotions, and access to healthcare were important determinants of healthy lifestyles. Barriers to healthy diets included lacking nutrition knowledge, fluctuating food prices, and limited access to fresh foodstuffs. Women felt particularly vulnerable to CVD and identified gendered barriers to manage stress and engage in leisure sports. Low health literacy, distance and poor doctor-patient relationships in local health facilities prevented participants from fully accessing healthcare. 

Conclusions: CVD prevention should consider local knowledge of these diseases and of healthy lifestyles and harness ongoing programmes that have successfully tackled nutrition in children and pregnant women. In concert with public-private parterships, governments should include health prevention for the entire family.