The COVID-19 pandemic and the measures to prevent its expansion have limited community life and its development, generating an increase in mental health problems and difficulties in meeting their demand. Peru, as part of its mental health reform and in the context of the COVID-19, published several policies for mental health care. Community Mental Health Centers are the core element of the Community Mental Health Network in the country, which makes it relevant to understand how they adapted and responded to this pandemic.

Aim

The aim of RESPONSE is to understand the care provided in four Community Mental Health Centers (CMHC) in Lima and Callao, Peru, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Study design:

The project has three components:  

1. Policy study: A scoping review of policies published between March 6, 2020 (first case of COVID-19 in Peru) to August 31, 2021. Documents included address the response of the health system (Ministry of Health, EsSalud and Regional Governments) to the pandemic in terms of mental health or well-being of the population. Data will be analyzed using content analysis and a matrix built based on international frameworks and guidelines for policies and interventions for mental health care in the context of the pandemic.
2. Analysis of secondary data from HIS-MINSA: Analysis based on the health records of four CMHC about the care provided before and during the COVID-19 pandemic (2019-2021). Data will be grouped according to services provided, following an analysis of interrupted time series.
3. Qualitative study: Interviews with users, relatives, and healthcare providers of the CMHC, as well as decisionmakers at the local level and the Ministry of Health to identify changes in health services because of the pandemic. Contents explored include consultations, access to medication, protective measures against COVID-19, adaptation of centers to remote care, among others.

Result

The results are in process.

Contact

Victoria Cavero, MSc

victoria.cavero.h@upch.pe