The impact of policy and policy communication on COVID-19 vaccination inequalities among Venezuelan refugees and migrants in Colombia: a comparative cross-sectional interrupted time-series analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Equitable access to vaccines for migrants and refugees is necessary to ensure their right to health and to achieve public health goals of reducing vaccine-preventable illness. Public health policies require regulatory frameworks and communication to effect uptake of effective vaccines among the target population. In Colombia, the National COVID-19 Vaccination Plan implicitly included Venezuelan refugees and migrants; however, initial communication of the policy indicated that vaccine availability was restricted to people with regular migration status. We estimated the impact of a public announcement, which clarified access for refugees and migrants, on vaccination coverage among Venezuelans living in Colombia. METHODS: Between 30 July 2021 and 5 February 2022, 6221 adult Venezuelans participated in a cross-sectional, population-based health survey. We used a comparative cross-sectional time-series analysis to estimate the effect of the October 2021 announcement on the average biweekly change in COVID-19 vaccine coverage of Venezuelans with regular and irregular migration status. RESULTS: 71% of Venezuelans had an irregular status. The baseline (preannouncement) vaccine coverage was lower among people with an irregular status but increased at similar rates as those with a regular status. After the announcement, there was a level change of 14.49% (95% CI: 1.57 to 27.42, p=0.03) in vaccination rates among individuals with irregular migration status with a 4.61% increase in vaccination rate per biweekly period (95% CI: 1.71 to 7.51, p=0.004). By February 2022, there was a 26.2% relative increase in vaccinations among individuals with irregular migration status compared with what was expected without the announcement. CONCLUSION: While there was no policy change, communication clarifying the policy drastically reduced vaccination inequalities across migration status. Lessons can be translated from the COVID-19 pandemic into more effective global, regional and local public health emergency preparedness and response to displacement.

Qualitative assessment of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on migration, access to healthcare, and social wellbeing among Venezuelan migrants and refugees in Colombia.

Background: Colombia hosts a large number of Venezuelan migrants and refugees who are uniquely vulnerable and have been markedly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. It is necessary to understand their experiences to inform future policy decisions both in Colombia and during disease outbreaks in other humanitarian contexts in the future. As part of a larger study focused on HIV among Venezuelans residing in Colombia, qualitative interviews were conducted to understand this population's experiences and access to healthcare. Methods: Interviews were conducted with Venezuelan migrants and refugees as well as stakeholders such as care providers, humanitarian workers, and government officials. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and coded using thematic content analysis. Select quotes were translated and edited for length and/or clarity. Results: Venezuelan migrants and refugees reported high levels of housing instability, job instability, increased barriers to accessing healthcare, and complications in engaging in the HIV care continuum, among other impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Stakeholders reported complications in provision of care and obtaining medicines, difficulty maintaining contact with patients, increased discrimination and xenophobia targeting Venezuelan migrants and refugees, increased housing instability among Venezuelan migrants and refugees, and other impacts as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusions: This study demonstrates the unique impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic among Venezuelans residing in Colombia by both compounding extant vulnerabilities and introducing new challenges, such as high rates of eviction. Colombia has enacted increasingly inclusive migration policies for Venezuelan refugees and migrants within the country; findings from this study underscore the necessity for such policies both in and outside of the Colombian context.

Cost-Effectiveness of the COVID-19 Test, Trace and Isolate Program in Colombia.

BACKGROUND: During the COVID-19 pandemic, Test-Trace-Isolate (TTI) programs have been recommended as a risk mitigation strategy. However, many governments have hesitated to implement them due to their costs. This study aims to estimate the cost-effectiveness of implementing a national TTI program to reduce the number of severe and fatal cases of COVID-19 in Colombia. METHODS: We developed a Markov simulation model of COVID-19 infection combined with a Susceptible-Infected-Recovered structure. We estimated the incremental cost-effectiveness of a comprehensive TTI strategy compared to no intervention over a one-year horizon, from both the health system and the societal perspective. Hospitalization and mortality rates were retrieved from Colombian surveillance data. We included program costs of TTI intervention, health services utilization, PCR diagnosis test, productivity loss, and government social program costs. We used the number of deaths and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) as health outcomes. Sensitivity analyses were performed. FINDINGS: Compared with no intervention, the TTI strategy reduces COVID-19 mortality by 67%. In addition, the program saves an average of $1,045 and $850 per case when observed from the social and the health system perspective, respectively. These savings are equivalent to two times the current health expenditures in Colombia per year. INTERPRETATION: The TTI program is a highly cost-effective public health intervention to reduce the burden of COVID-19 in Colombia. TTI programs depend on their successful and speedy implementation. FUNDING: This study was supported by the Colombian Ministry of Health through award number PUJ-04519-20 received by EPQ AVO and SDS declined to receive any funding support for this study. The contents are the responsibility of all the individual authors.

Modos de vida y estado de salud de migrantes en un asentamiento de Barranquilla, 2018 / Lifestyles and health status of migrants in a settlement of Barranquilla, Colombia, 2018

RESUMEN Objetivo Describir los modos de vida y el estado de salud de salud de migrantes venezolanos y colombianos de retorno asentados en Villa Caracas, Barranquilla, en el año 2018. Método Estudio descriptivo de corte transversal con muestreo sistemático de viviendas. Fueron incluidas 229 personas mayores de 15 años procedentes de 90 viviendas. Resultados Se encontraron diferencias en las rutas para llegar, tiempos de traslado y estancia en el asentamiento entre migrantes venezolanos y colombianos en retorno. Las condiciones de la vivienda y el acceso a los servicios públicos son limitadas, menos de la mitad de las viviendas tienen acceso a acueducto, alcantarillado y baño. En general el estado de salud auto-reportado por los migrantes es muy bueno o bueno, las prevalencias de enfermedades crónicas fueron relativamente bajas, con excepción de hipertensión arterial. De los que consultaron al servicio de urgencias, la mayoría reportó acceso efectivo. Se encontraron síntomas depresivos clínicamente significativos para el 20% de la población encuestada. Conclusiones Los migrantes de Villa Caracas se encuentran en condiciones de alta vulnerabilidad social dadas sus condiciones económicas y ambientales. A pesar de la falta de aseguramiento al sistema de salud colombiano, reportaron acceso a la atención por urgencias.(AU)

ABSTRACT Objective To describe the lifestyles and health status of returning Venezuelan and Colombian migrants in Villa Caracas, Barranquilla, in 2018. Methods Descriptive, cross-sectional study with systematic sampling of dwellings. 229 people over 15 years of age from 90 homes were included. Results Differences were found in the routes to arrive, commuting times and stay in the settlement between Venezuelan and returning Colombian migrants. Housing conditions and access to public services are limited: less than half of the dwellings have access to aqueduct, sewerage and bathrooms. In general, self-reported health status of migrants is very good or good and the prevalence of noncommunicable diseases was relatively low, with the exception of high blood pressure. Most of the people who consulted the emergency department reported effective access. Clinically significant depressive symptoms were found in 20% of the surveyed population. Conclusions The migrants of Villa Caracas are under high social vulnerability conditions given their economic and environmental conditions. Despite their lack of enrollment in the Colombian health system, they reported access to emergency care.(AU)

[Lifestyles and health status of migrants in a settlement of Barranquilla, Colombia, 2018]. / Modos de vida y estado de salud de migrantes en un asentamiento de Barranquilla, 2018.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the lifestyles and health status of returning Venezuelan and Colombian migrants in Villa Caracas, Barranquilla, in 2018. METHODS: Descriptive, cross-sectional study with systematic sampling of dwellings. 229 people over 15 years of age from 90 homes were included. RESULTS: Differences were found in the routes to arrive, commuting times and stay in the settlement between Venezuelan and returning Colombian migrants. Housing conditions and access to public services are limited: less than half of the dwellings have access to aqueduct, sewerage and bathrooms. In general, self-reported health status of migrants is very good or good and the prevalence of noncommunicable diseases was relatively low, with the exception of high blood pressure. Most of the people who consulted the emergency department reported effective access. Clinically significant depressive symptoms were found in 20% of the surveyed population. CONCLUSIONS: The migrants of Villa Caracas are under high social vulnerability conditions given their economic and environmental conditions. Despite their lack of enrollment in the Colombian health system, they reported access to emergency care.

OBJETIVO: Describir los modos de vida y el estado de salud de salud de migrantes venezolanos y colombianos de retorno asentados en Villa Caracas, Barranquilla, en el año 2018. MÉTODO: Estudio descriptivo de corte transversal con muestreo sistemático de viviendas. Fueron incluidas 229 personas mayores de 15 años procedentes de 90 viviendas. RESULTADOS: Se encontraron diferencias en las rutas para llegar, tiempos de traslado y estancia en el asentamiento entre migrantes venezolanos y colombianos en retorno. Las condiciones de la vivienda y el acceso a los servicios públicos son limitadas, menos de la mitad de las viviendas tienen acceso a acueducto, alcantarillado y baño. En general el estado de salud auto-reportado por los migrantes es muy bueno o bueno, las prevalencias de enfermedades crónicas fueron relativamente bajas, con excepción de hipertensión arterial. De los que consultaron al servicio de urgencias, la mayoría reportó acceso efectivo. Se encontraron síntomas depresivos clínicamente significativos para el 20% de la población encuestada. CONCLUSIONES: Los migrantes de Villa Caracas se encuentran en condiciones de alta vulnerabilidad social dadas sus condiciones económicas y ambientales. A pesar de la falta de aseguramiento al sistema de salud colombiano, reportaron acceso a la atención por urgencias.

Implementación y evaluación de una estrategia combinada de educación en salud y quimioterapia masiva para el control de las geohelmintiasis, en una zona rural de Colombia / Implementation and evaluation of a combined strategy using health education and massive chemotherapy to control geohelminthiasis in a rural zone in Colombia

Introducción: Las geohelmintiasis son infecciones prevalentes en los países en vía de desarrollo, que afectan principalmente a la población escolar. Las estrategias de control que combinan quimioterapia masiva con educación en salud, pueden producir reducciones significativas de estas infecciones, sostenibles en el tiempo. En este estudio se implementó y evaluó, una intervención integral basada en una estrategia lúdica de educación en salud, más quimioterapia masiva en una zona rural de Colombia. Metodología: Diseño cuasi-experimental, realizado en La Virgen, Cundinamarca (Colombia). Toda la población escolar fue sometida a la estrategia educativa en salud, acompañada de tratamiento semestral con albendazol, entre finales del 2010 y mediados del 2013. La muestra analítica fue constituida por 119 niños (mediana= 11; Rango Intercuartílico = 8-13 años). Se evaluaron los cambios anuales en la presencia de geohelmintos usando pruebas no paramétricas para muestras relacionadas y modelos de regresión logística de efectos fijos. Resultados: En la medición basal, las prevalencias de los geohelmintos fueron: 22,28% (IC 95% 16,36%-28,20%) para Ascaris lumbricoides; 37,31% (IC 95% 30,42%-44,19%) para Trichuris trichiura y 13,47% (IC 95% 8,61%-18,33%) para Uncinaria sp. Para la medición final, estas prevalencias cayeron significativamente a 5,30% (IC 95% 1,68%-8,91%) para A. lumbricoides; 16,55% (IC 95% 10,56%-22,55%) para T. trichiura y 4,64% (IC95% 1,42%-8,03%) para Uncinaria sp. Conclusión: El presente estudio, pese a que no constituye una evaluación real de impacto, provee una experiencia aparentemente exitosa de implementación de una estrategia integral para el control de las geohelmintiasis, que podría servir como modelo para otras intervenciones en áreas rurales del país.

Introduction: Geohelminthiasis is an infection which is prevalent in developing countries, and primarily affects schoolchildren. Control strategies that combine massive chemotherapy with health education can produce significant reductions in this infection that are sustainable over time. This study implemented and evaluated a comprehensive intervention combining a health education strategy and massive chemotherapy in a rural zone in Colombia. Methodology: Quasi-experimental design performed in La Virgen, Cundinamarca (Colombia). The entire school population participated in the health education strategy, in conjunction with biannual treatments with albendazole, between late 2010 and the middle of 2013. The analytical sample consisted of 119 children (median = 11, interquartile range = 8-13 years of age). Yearly changes in the presence of geohelminthes were evaluated using non-parametric tests for related samples and fixed-effect logistic regression models. Results: Prevalences of geohelminthes at baseline were: 22,28% (CI 95% 16,36%-28,20%) for Ascaris lumbricoides; 37,31%( CI 95% 30,42%-44,19%) for Trichuris trichiura and 13,47% (CI 95% 8,61%-18,33%) for Uncinaria sp. The final measurements of these prevalences decreased to 5,30%(CI 95% 1,68%-8,91%) for A. lumbricoides; 16,55% (CI 95% 10,56%-22,55%) for T. trichiura and 4,64% (CI 95% 1,42%-8,03%) for Uncinaria sp. Conclusions: Although the present study does not constitute an actual impact evaluation, it provides an apparently successful experience with implementing a comprehensive strategy to control geohelminthiasis, which could serve as a model for other interventions in rural areas in the country.

[Cultural domains pertaining to malaria: an approach to non-institutional knowledge]. / Los dominios culturales de la malaria: una aproximación a los saberes no institucionales.

INTRODUCTION: Malaria control policies have not fully achieved the expected results due to little consideration of cultural aspects, among other factors. OBJECTIVE: To explore the cultural domains pertaining to this disease in an endemic Colombian population, in order to both design and implement effective action plans. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A convenience sampling was conducted to select inhabitants from 12 villages in Tierralta, Córdoba. In order to generate free-lists, participants were asked about their communities' health problems, causes of malaria, control measures and those responsible for malaria control. Smith's indexes were calculated for each item answered. RESULTS: Between 30 and 38 individuals per village participated in the study (N=401). The mean age was 40.24 years (standard deviation (SD)=14.22) and women were 45.39% of the total. Participants recognized malaria and respiratory infections as the primary health problems in the community (median Smith's indexes: 0.83 and 0.63, respectively). A lack of environmental interventions was identified as the main determinant of malaria (median Smith's index: 0.65). Finally, the health care center (median Smith's index: 0.71) and health professionals (median Smith's index: 0.52) were identified as those most responsible for malaria control. CONCLUSIONS: The design of programs to reduce the impact of malaria requires developing interventions or initiatives that are adapted to the community's needs, demands and available resources. Free-listing is proposed as an effective tool to collect information about cultural domains related to health.

Los dominios culturales de la malaria: una aproximación a los saberes no institucionales / Cultural domains pertaining to malaria: An approach to non-institutional knowledge

Introducción. Las políticas de control de la malaria o paludismo no han logrado todos los resultados esperados, debido, entre otras razones, a la poca consideración prestada a los aspectos culturales. Objetivo. Explorar los dominios culturales en torno a esta enfermedad en una población colombiana asentada en zona endémica, con el propósito de diseñar e implementar planes de intervención efectivos. Materiales y métodos. Mediante muestreo por conveniencia se seleccionaron residentes de 12 veredas de Tierralta, Córdoba. Con el fin de generar listados libres, se les preguntó a los participantes sobre los problemas de salud en la comunidad, las causas de la malaria, las medidas de control y los responsables de aplicarlas. Para cada uno de estos ítems se calcularon índices de Smith. Resultados. Participaron entre 30 y 38 personas por vereda (n=401), con una edad promedio de 40,24 años (desviación estándar (DE)=14,22); las mujeres representaban 45,39 % del total de la población. El grupo de participantes reconoció la malaria y las infecciones respiratorias como los problemas de salud más importantes de la comunidad (mediana de los índices de Smith: 0,83 y 0,63, respectivamente). Se reconoció la falta de intervención en las condiciones ambientales como el factor más importante generador de la malaria (mediana del índice de Smith=0,65). Por último, los participantes identificaron al centro de salud (mediana del índice de Smith=0,71) y a los profesionales de la salud (mediana del índice de Smith=0,52) como los principales responsables del control de la malaria. Conclusiones. El diseño de programas para la reducción del impacto de la malaria exige la formulación de intervenciones o iniciativas que involucren la perspectiva de las comunidades y se adapten a las necesidades, demandas y recursos disponibles. La técnica de listados libres se propone como una alternativa eficiente de recolección de información sobre los dominios culturales relacionados con la salud.

Introduction: Malaria control policies have not fully achieved the expected results due to little consideration of cultural aspects, among other factors. Objective: To explore the cultural domains pertaining to this disease in an endemic Colombian population, in order to both design and implement effective action plans. Materials and methods: A convenience sampling was conducted to select inhabitants from 12 villages in Tierralta, Córdoba. In order to generate free-lists, participants were asked about their communities´ health problems, causes of malaria, control measures and those responsible for malaria control. Smith´s indexes were calculated for each item answered. Results: Between 30 and 38 individuals per village participated in the study (N=401). The mean age was 40.24 years (standard deviation (SD)=14.22) and women were 45.39% of the total. Participants recognized malaria and respiratory infections as the primary health problems in the community (median Smith´s indexes: 0.83 and 0.63, respectively). A lack of environmental interventions was identified as the main determinant of malaria (median Smith´s index: 0.65). Finally, the health care center (median Smith´s index: 0.71) and health professionals (median Smith´s index: 0.52) were identified as those most responsible for malaria control. Conclusions: The design of programs to reduce the impact of malaria requires developing interventions or initiatives that are adapted to the community´s needs, demands and available resources. Free-listing is proposed as an effective tool to collect information about cultural domains related to health.