Perception of primary care services among the Afroperuvian population

The Peruvian public healthcare system has various shortcomings that impact the experiences and perceptions of quality among the general population and, particularly, among minority populations, including the Afro-Peruvian community. In this context, understanding the populations experiences in healthcare services and their perceptions regarding the treatment received from healthcare providers is crucial for developing improvement recommendations. Through in-depth interviews, our study explored the usage experiences and perceptions regarding the treatment received from public primary healthcare providers among 19 Afro-Peruvian individuals in Lima. Our analysis revealed that, in general, there is mistreatment of healthcare providers. This is not only recognized as a deficiency of the providers (human resources) but also as a consequence of a system that does not promote the quality of care, including issues such as inadequate infrastructure, low salaries, and limited time for patient care. Additionally, expressions of discrimination based on differences, primarily socioeconomic, were identified. Our findings provide insights for enhancing healthcare services in terms of treatment, effective communication, and infrastructure at the primary healthcare level.