Background
HEARTS is the regional strategy led by the Pan American Health Organization to strengthen hypertension and diabetes control in primary health care. This report summarizes formative and process evidence from the ANDES trial in Puno, Peru, and its alignment with HEARTS implementation.
Methods
We assessed 414 health facilities using an adapted World Health Organization Service Availability and Readiness Assessment (SARA-NCD), conducted 55 semi-structured interviews with health professionals, and applied the Hill-Bone adherence scale to 204 hypertensive patients.
Results
Facility readiness was 28% for hypertension and 29% for diabetes. Lower-level facilities – posts and basic health centers – showed markedly lower readiness (OR = 0.20 for hypertension; OR = 0.03 for diabetes). Provider interviews identified limited prioritization of hypertension, weak supply chains, and insufficient training. Mean adherence score was 48.3 ± 4.0 (medication 31.6 ± 3.5; appointment-keeping 5.98 ± 1.27; salt reduction 10.67 ± 1.18).
Conclusions
Findings reveal major readiness gaps and systemic barriers to hypertension and diabetes management in high-altitude Andean regions. Community health worker-supported interventions such as ANDES can facilitate adoption of HEARTS strategies in resource-limited primary care settings.