HTLV-1 is a retrovirus which causes diverse diseases in 10% of its infected population, significantly worsening their quality of life and mortality rate. Even though it is globally distributed and is endemic in many countries (including Peru), it is still highly neglected. It spreads through vertical, sexual and parenteral transmission. As no effective treatment against this virus exist, prevention is required to contain it. The World Health Organization published a technical report on the matter in 2021, with the collaboration of international HTLV-1 experts. However, neither the impact of sexual transmission (cause of the majority of adult cases and infection in non-endemic areas) nor its prevention were considered. Evidence is presented, which shows the magnitude of sexual transmission, its risk factors and preventive measures; hoping it will encourage health workers to help eradicate this infection.

INTRODUCTION: The use of proton pump inhibitors (PPI) for the treatment of the upper digestive system diseases, had exponentially grown by 456% globally since the 1990’s. They lower the gastric acid production by inhibiting the H+/K+/ATPase from the gastric parietal cells. Despite being considered relatively safe, studies have arised associating them with nutrient malabsorption, gastroenteritis, diarrhea caused by Clostridium difficile, fractures and renal failure. The objective of this study is to determine the frequency of adequate prescription of PPIs comparing a public hospital and a private clinic in Lima, Peru. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was developed in which data was collected from the clinical files of hospitalized patients and was registered on a checklist created by the guidelines from the FDA, AGA, ACG and ASHP, and categorized on whether they were adequately prescribed by following the guidelines or not. The study included patients older than 18 years old who had received at least one PPI while hospitalized in the services of internal medicine and general surgery of a public hospital and a private clinic in Lima, Perú. The exclusion criteria are patients who consumed PPIs within 2 weeks of the hospitalization or patients who had been in critical care units. RESULTS: A total of 128 patients, 46% from the hospital and 54% patients from the clinic. An average age of 52 years and 25% of patients were older than 65 years with a male female ratio of 3:2. Comparing the service of internal medicine within both establishments the public hospital had better adherence to the guidelines (68.18%, 27.28%; P = 0.019) and comparing general surgery, the private clinic was more adequate (63.64%, 35.14%; P = 0.078).Within the hospital, medicine had a better adherence to the guidelines than surgery (68.18%; 35.14%). On the other hand, within the clinic the surgery presented a better adherence (63.64%; 27.28%). CONCLUSION: The high percentage of inadequate PPI prescription found in this study is similar to those found on other studies between public hospitals.The main reason for a prescription according to the guidelines was for gastric ulcer prophylaxis in patients older than 65 years old who were taking NSAIDs. The main reasons to not follow the clinical guidelines was polypharmacy (3 or more drugs) mainly on surgery in the hospital and on medicine in the clinic. The clinic has a more adequate prescription of PPI in surgery and lower in medicine compared to the hospital.