Contrary Perceptions of Environmental Health and the Governance of the Bucaramanga Metropolitan Area, Colombia.

The participation of civil society is essential for environmental health policies to be accepted. The objective of this study was to know the perceptions of government officials, members of civil society, and academics about environmental health problems and its governance in the Bucaramanga Metropolitan Area, Colombia. In the region, there is a strong citizens movement that defends the moorland ecosystem (páramo) as a source of drinking water for large-scale mining projects. A multi-method study was conducted, including the review of newspaper and scientific articles, a citizens survey, and interviews and focus groups with identified key stakeholders. The findings indicate that government officials prioritize their actions on issues related to air and water pollution and environmental education. In contrast, citizens prioritize water availability from the moorland ecosystem. There are some advances in the management of environmental health, mainly related to greater citizen awareness. Contrary perceptions among government officials, academics, and civil society prevent adequate prioritization of environmental health problems. Participation of civil society is absent in activities related to environmental governance. An ongoing citizens science experience engaging high school students and the academy can be the first meeting point with government officials in the pathway to improve the environmental governance in the territory. The participation of civil society in the environmental health governance must be enforced to broaden the issues of interest and prioritize the activities in short- and long-term policy planning.

Salud sexual y reproductiva en adolescentes: la fragilidad de la autonomía / Sexual and reproductive health in adolescents: the fragility of autonomy / Saúde sexual e reproductiva em adolescentes: a fragilidade da autonomia

OBJETIVO: La salud sexual y reproductiva es un constructo social de fácil comprensión y manejo por parte de los adolescentes. Esta investigación se centra en el conocimiento, actitudes y prácticas de un grupo de adolescentes de la población general. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Se realizó un estudio correlacional por muestreo aleatorio simple entre adolescentes de la ciudad de Bucaramanga, Colombia, entre los 14 y los 19 años de edad. RESULTADOS: Se destaca una buena información de los adolescentes sobre salud sexual y reproductiva, pero un cuestionable ejercicio de su autonomía, especialmente sobre métodos de prevención del embarazo y de enfermedades de transmisión sexual. CONCLUSIONES: Este grupo reportó una buena percepción sobre su salud pero denota aspectos problemáticos alrededor de las relaciones familiares y sociales, el bajo impacto de la educación sobre la salud sexual y reproductiva y una pésima percepción sobre las políticas, programas y niveles de atención a la adolescencia desde las instituciones públicas

OBJECTIVE: Sexual and reproductive health is a social construct easy to understand and use by adolescents. This research focuses on the knowledge, attitudes and practices of a group of adolescents in the general population. METHODS: A correlational study by random simple sampling was performed among 14 to 19 years old adolescents in the city of Bucaramanga, Colombia. RESULTS: Good information for adolescents on sexual and reproductive health is highlighted but a questionable exercise of their autonomy is seen, especially on pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases prevention methods. CONCLUSIONS: This group reported a good insight about their health but denotes problematic aspects around the family and social relationships, the low impact of education on sexual and reproductive health and a disastrous perception on policies, programs and levels of care to adolescents from public institutions

OBJETIVO: a saúde sexual e reproductiva são um constructo social de fácil compreensão e manejo por parte dos adolescentes. Esta pesquisa se centra no conhecimento, atitudes e práticas dum grupo de adolescentes da povoação geral. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Realizou se um estudo correlacional por amostras aleatórias simples entre os 14 e os 19 anos de idade. RESULTADOS: Destaca se uma boa informação dos adolescentes sobre saúde sexual e reprodutiva, mas um questionável exercício de sua autonomia, especialmente sobre métodos de prevenção da gravidez e de doenças de transmissão sexual. CONCLUSÕES: Este grupo reportou uma boa percepção sobre sua saúde, mas denota aspetos problemáticos ao redor das relações familiares e sociais, o baixo impacto da educação sobre a saúde sexual e reprodutiva e uma péssima percepção sobre as políticas, programas e níveis de atenção à adolescência desde as instituições publicas