Trends in Nonfatal Overdose Rates Due to Alcohol and Prescription and Illegal Substances in Colombia, 2010‒2021.

Objectives. To examine drug overdoses in Colombia by type of substance, sex, age, and intent using data from a health surveillance system from 2010 to 2021. Methods. We characterized data by year, type of substance, and sociodemographic variables. We calculated age-adjusted overdose rates by substance type, sex, age groups, and intent. We used Poisson regression models to examine trend differences across sex and age groups. Results. Age-adjusted rates of drug overdoses increased from 8.51 to 40.52 per 100 000 during 2010 to 2021. Men, compared with women, had higher overdose rates for every substance, except for opioids and psychotropics. Drug overdose rates involving cannabis and stimulants increased steadily until 2017 but decreased afterward. Overdose rates involving psychotropic medication increased greatly during 2018 to 2021, mainly because of intentional overdoses in young women. Conclusions. Overdoses involving illegal drugs decreased in recent years in Colombia; however, the continuous increase in intentional psychotropic overdose rates highlights the need for prevention efforts to curb this trend. Health surveillance systems are an important tool that can guide overdose prevention efforts in countries with limited data resources. (Am J Public Health. 2024;114(11):1252-1260. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2024.307786).

Changes in Opioid and Benzodiazepine Poisoning Deaths After Cannabis Legalization in the US: A County-level Analysis, 2002-2020.

BACKGROUND: Cannabis legalization for medical and recreational purposes has been suggested as an effective strategy to reduce opioid and benzodiazepine use and deaths. We examined the county-level association between medical and recreational cannabis laws and poisoning deaths involving opioids and benzodiazepines in the US from 2002 to 2020. METHODS: Our ecologic county-level, spatiotemporal study comprised 49 states. Exposures were state-level implementation of medical and recreational cannabis laws and state-level initiation of cannabis dispensary sales. Our main outcomes were poisoning deaths involving any opioid, any benzodiazepine, and opioids with benzodiazepines. Secondary analyses included overdoses involving natural and semi-synthetic opioids, synthetic opioids, and heroin. RESULTS: Implementation of medical cannabis laws was associated with increased deaths involving opioids (rate ratio [RR] = 1.14; 95% credible interval [CrI] = 1.11, 1.18), benzodiazepines (RR = 1.19; 95% CrI = 1.12, 1.26), and opioids+benzodiazepines (RR = 1.22; 95% CrI = 1.15, 1.30). Medical cannabis legalizations allowing dispensaries was associated with fewer deaths involving opioids (RR = 0.88; 95% CrI = 0.85, 0.91) but not benzodiazepine deaths; results for recreational cannabis implementation and opioid deaths were similar (RR = 0.81; 95% CrI = 0.75, 0.88). Recreational cannabis laws allowing dispensary sales was associated with consistent reductions in opioid- (RR = 0.83; 95% CrI = 0.76, 0.91), benzodiazepine- (RR = 0.79; 95% CrI = 0.68, 0.92), and opioid+benzodiazepine-related poisonings (RR = 0.83; 95% CrI = 0.70, 0.98). CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of medical cannabis laws was associated with higher rates of opioid- and benzodiazepine-related deaths, whereas laws permitting broader cannabis access, including implementation of recreational cannabis laws and medical and recreational dispensaries, were associated with lower rates. The estimated effects of the expanded availability of cannabis seem dependent on the type of law implemented and its provisions.

Mental health Narrative Community-Based Group Therapy in violence-displaced Afro-Colombians: a randomized controlled trial.

This study aims to evaluate the effect of a mental health Narrative Community-Based Group Therapy (NCGT) in Afro-Colombian violence survivors. A randomized controlled trial was conducted in Buenaventura and Quibdó, Colombia. Afro-Colombian adults (n=521) were randomly allocated to a NCGT (n1=175), a wait-control group (n2=171) or a Common Elements Treatment Approach (CETA, n3=175). The CETA was described separately given conceptual/methodological differences. Lay psychosocial community workers delivered the NCGT. Symptoms were assessed before and after intervention/wait with culturally adapted mental health symptoms and gender-specific functionality scales. Intent to treat analysis and mean difference of differences were used for comparisons. In Buenaventura, a significant reduction in functional impairment (mean difference: -0.30, 95% Confidence Interval [95% CI]: -0.55, -0.05) and depression (mean difference: -0.24, 95% CI: -0.42, -0.07) were found, with small and moderate effect size, respectively. In Quibdó, functionality improved significantly (mean difference: -0.29, 95% CI: -0.54, -0.04, small effect size). Even though differences in depression and anxiety were not significant, there were reductions in symptoms. The NCGT is effective in improving daily functioning among violence victims in the Colombian Pacific and has the potential to reduce symptoms of depression. Further exploration is required to understand the effects of a narrative group therapy for mental health in Afro-Colombian populations.Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov number: NCT01856673 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01856673).

Factores asociados al desarrollo de polineuropatía, miopatía y polineuromiopatía en pacientes adultos críticos / Development associated factors with polyneuropathy, myopathy and polyneuromyopathy in critically ill adult patients

Introducción. La polineuropatía, la miopatía y la polineuromiopatía son condiciones debilitantes que afectan a pacientes críticamente enfermos. Sin embargo, poco se conoce acerca de los factores relacionados con estos desenlaces en pacientes hospitalizados en las unidades de cuidado intensivo (UCI) y con hospitalización prolongada en el contexto clínico colombiano. Objetivo. Evaluar los factores asociados al desarrollo de polineuropatía, miopatía y polineuromiopatía en pacientes críticos con hospitalización prolongada. Métodos. Estudio analítico, observacional, de casos y controles apareados realizado en 192 pacientes (64 casos y 128 controles) atendidos en una clínica de tercer nivel de atención de Cali, Colombia. Se analizaron diferentes factores de riesgo como falla multiorgánica, sepsis, desnutrición, nutrición parenteral, uso de corticoides, uso de relajantes musculares, entre otros. Se evaluó si los días de estancia en UCI es un modificador del efecto de la relación entre estos factores y los desenlaces. Resultados. Se encontró que la falla multiorgánica (OR: 6,32, IC95%: 2,15-18,58), la desnutrición (OR: 2,25, IC95%: 1,01-5,0) y el uso de relajantes musculares (OR: 2,68, IC95%: 1,04-6,87) estuvieron asociados con el desarrollo de polineuropatía y miopatía. Así mismo, se observó que la asociación entre la falla multiorgánica y estas condiciones se vio afectada por la duración de la estancia en UCI (p<0,05). En pacientes sin falla multiorgánica, el riesgo aumentó mínimamente con cada día adicional de estancia en UCI (OR: 1,004, IC95%: 0,97-1,04); sin embargo, en pacientes con falla multiorgánica, el riesgo se incrementó en un 5% por cada día adicional de estancia en UCI. Conclusiones. Los resultados del presente estudio destacan la importancia de factores como la falla multiorgánica, la desnutrición y el uso de relajantes musculares en el desarrollo de la polineuropatía, la miopatía y la polineuromiopatía en pacientes críticos con hospitalización prolongada.

Introduction. Polyneuropathy, myopathy, and polyneuromyopathy are debilitating conditions that affect critically ill patients. However, little is known about the factors related to these outcomes in patients hospitalized in intensive care units (ICUs) and with prolonged hospitalization in the Colombian clinical context. Objective. To assess the factors associated with the development of polyneuropathy, myopathy and polyneuromyopathy in critically ill patients with prolonged hospitalization. Methods. Analytical, observational, matched case-control study conducted in 192 patients (64 cases and 128 controls) treated at a tertiary care clinic in Cali, Colombia. Different risk factors such as multi-organ failure, sepsis, malnutrition, parenteral nutrition, use of corticosteroids, use of muscle relaxants, among others, were analyzed. We assessed whether the length of stay in the ICU is a modifier of the effect of the relationship between these factors and the outcomes. Results. It was found that multiorgan failure (OR: 6.32, 95%CI: 2.15-18.58), malnutrition (OR: 2.25, 95%CI: 1.01-5.0) and the use of muscle relaxants (OR: 2.68, 95%CI: 1.04-6.87) were associated with the development of polyneuropathy and myopathy. Likewise, it was observed that the association between multi-organ failure and these conditions was affected by the length of stay in the ICU (p<0.05). In patients without multi-organ failure, the risk increased minimally with each additional day of stay in the ICU (OR: 1.004, 95%CI: 0.97-1.04); however, in patients with multi-organ failure, the risk increased by 5% for each additional day of stay in the ICU. Conclusions. The results of the present study highlight the importance of factors such as multi-organ failure, malnutrition and the use of muscle relaxants in the development of polyneuropathy, myopathy and polyneuromyopathy in critically ill patients with prolonged hospitalization.

Homicide Epidemic in Cali, Colombia: A Surveillance System Data Analysis, 1993‒2018.

Objectives. To examine homicide rates in Cali, Colombia, during the 1993-2018 period, using information derived from an interagency surveillance system. Methods. We used homicide data from Cali's Epidemiological Surveillance System to examine homicide trends by victim's age and sex, time, and type of method used. We estimated trend changes and the annual percentage changes using joinpoint regression analyses. Results. Homicide rates per 100 000 inhabitants dropped from 102 in 1993 to 47.8 in 2018. We observed reductions in homicide rates across age and sex groups. Most homicide victims were men aged 20 to 39 years from poor, marginalized areas. Firearms were used in 84.9% of all cases. The average annual percentage change for the entire period was -3.6 (95% confidence interval = -6.7, -0.4). Conclusions. Fluctuations in homicide rates in Cali show a clear epidemic pattern, occurring concurrently with the "crack epidemic" in different countries. Reliable and timely information provided by an Epidemiological Surveillance System allowed opportune formulation of public policies to reduce the impact of violence in Cali.

The holistic transformative street-street gang intervention impact and its association with homicide rates in Cali, Colombia / El efecto holístico transformador de la intervención de las pandillas y su asociación con la tasa de homicidios en Cali, Colombia / O efeito transformador holístico da intervenção das gangues e sua associação com a taxa de homicídios em Cali, Colômbia

Abstract Cali is one of the cities in Colombia and Latin America with the highest rate of homicides, with around one third of homicides being attributed to street gang-related violence. In 2016, the Mayor's office from Santiago the Cali - Colombia, the Police Department and the Cisalva institute from Universidad del Valle worked together to develop an holistic intervention, "TIP -Youth without frontiers", to reduce street gang-related violence in Cali's communes. The intervention comprised six components focusing on developing personal/emotional skills, improving access to health and other public services, reducing substance use, connecting youth with employment and educational opportunities, promoting participation in sports and recreational activities, and improving the restitution of citizen rights to street gang members. This study aimed to describe the characteristics and implementation of this transformative street gang program and to describe changes in street gang-related homicides that could be associated with the implementation of this program. The program started contacting street gangs in January 2016, recruiting the first street gang members in August 2016. As of December 2018, 2.107 youth (from 84 Police identified street gangs) have participated in the program. A reduction in street gang-related homicides was observed in Cali's communes from 2015 to 2018. In intervened communes these homicides decreased on average by 80%, suggesting that the program could have contributed to the reduction of street gang-related violent behavior in these areas.

Resumen Cali es una de las ciudades de Colombia y de Latinoamérica con la tasa de homicidios más alta, con alrededor de un tercio de los homicidios atribuidos a la violencia entre pandillas. En 2016, la Alcaldía de Santiago de Cali - Colombia, la Policía Nacional y el Instituto Cisalva de la Universidad del Valle trabajaron juntos para desarrollar una intervención holística, "TIP - Jóvenes sin fronteras", con el fin de reducir la violencia relacionada con las pandillas en las comunas de Cali. La intervención abarcó seis componentes centrados en desarrollar habilidades personales/emocionales, mejorar el acceso a los servicios de salud y otros servicios públicos, reducir el consumo de sustancias, conectar a los jóvenes con oportunidades laborales y educativas, fomentar la participación en actividades deportivas y recreativas, y restituir los derechos cívicos a integrantes de las pandillas. El objetivo de este estudio era describir las características y la implementación de este programa de transformación de pandillas, y describir los cambios en la tasa de homicidios relacionados con pandillas que podrían estar asociados con la implementación de este programa. El programa comenzó contactando a las pandillas en enero del 2016, reclutando a los primeros miembros de estas en agosto del 2016. A diciembre del 2018, 2.107 jóvenes (de 84 pandillas identificadas por la policía) han participado en el programa. Se observó una reducción de los homicidios relacionados con pandillas en las comunas de Cali entre 2015 y 2018. En las comunas intervenidas, estos homicidios disminuyeron en promedio un 80%, lo que sugiere que el programa podría haber contribuido a la reducción del comportamiento violento relacionado con las pandillas en estas áreas.

Resumo Cali é uma das cidades da Colômbia e da América Latina com a maior taxa de homicídios, com cerca de um terço dos homicídios atribuídos à violência de gangues. Em 2016, a Prefeitura de Santiago de Cali - Colômbia, a Polícia Nacional e o Instituto Cisalva da Universidad del Valle trabalharam juntos para desenvolver uma intervenção holística, "TIP - Jovens sem fronteiras", a fim de reduzir a violência das gangues nas comunas de Cali. A intervenção abrangeu seis componentes focados no desenvolvimento de habilidades pessoais/emocionais, melhoria do acesso aos serviços de saúde e outros serviços públicos, redução do uso de substâncias, conexão dos jovens com oportunidades de emprego e educação, incentivo à participação em atividades esportivas e recreativas, e a restauração dos direitos cívicos para os membros das gangues. O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever as características e a implementação do programa de transformação de gangues e descrever as mudanças na taxa de homicídios por gangues que poderiam estar associadas à implementação deste programa. O programa começou contatando as gangues em janeiro de 2016 e foram recrutados os primeiros membros das gangues em agosto de 2016. Em dezembro de 2018, participaram do programa 2.107 jovens (de 84 gangues identificadas pela polícia). Uma redução dos homicídios relacionados a gangues nas comunas de Cali foi observada entre 2015 e 2018. Nas comunas intervencionadas, esses homicídios diminuíram em média 80%, sugerindo que o programa possa ter contribuído para a redução do comportamento violento relacionado a gangues nessas áreas.

SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic testing alternatives for Latin America.

In the past four months SARS-CoV-2 has reached most countries in the world. Public health strategies based on widespread testing and proper isolation of positive cases have shown to be helpful to reduce local transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Confirmatory tests, that identify viral RNA, and screening serological tests that identify viral antigens or host antibodies against viral proteins are part of the tools that nations can use to fight infectious disease epidemics. Understanding how each test works can provide insights about their test characteristics and how they can be used for different clinical and public health goals. Testing is a key strategy to reduce viral transmission, not only for this epidemic, but also for others to come.

En los últimos cuatro meses, el virus SARS-CoV-2 ha llegado a la mayoría de países en el mundo. Las estrategias de salud pública basadas en la realización masiva de pruebas diagnósticas y el aislamiento focalizado de casos positivos han demostrado ser útiles para la reducción de la transmisión de SARS-CoV-2. Las pruebas confirmatorias, que identifican el ARN viral, y las pruebas serológicas que identifican antígenos virales o anticuerpos contra las proteínas virales del huésped son herramientas que las naciones pueden usar para combatir las epidemias producidas por agentes infecciosos. El comprender cómo funcionan estas pruebas puede ayudar a entender sus características y cómo pueden ser usadas para diferentes objetivos clínicos y de salud pública. Las pruebas diagnósticas son herramientas clave para reducir la transmisión viral, no solo en esta epidemia, sino para otras por venir.

Mathematical model and COVID-19.

Currently, there are several mathematical models that have been developed to understand the dynamics of COVID-19 infection. However, the difference in the sociocultural contexts between countries requires the specific adjustment of these estimates to each scenario. This article analyses the main elements used for the construction of models from epidemiological patterns, to describe the interaction, explain the dynamics of infection and recovery, and to predict possible scenarios that may arise with the introduction of public health measures such as social distancing and quarantines, specifically in the case of the pandemic unleashed by the new SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 virus. COMMENT: Mathematical models are highly relevant for making objective and effective decisions to control and eradicate the disease. These models used for COVID-19 have supported and will continue to provide information for the selection and implementation of programs and public policies that prevent associated complications, reduce the speed of the virus spread and minimize the occurrence of severe cases of the disease that may collapse health systems.

En la actualidad existen varios modelos matemáticos que han sido desarrollados para entender la dinámica de la infección por COVID-19. Sin embargo, la diferencia en los contextos socioculturales entre países hace necesario el ajuste específico de estas estimaciones a cada escenario. Este artículo analiza los principales elementos usados para la construcción de los modelos a partir de patrones epidemiológicos, para lograr describir la interacción, explicar la dinámica de infección y recuperación, así como para predecir posibles escenarios que pueden presentarse con la introducción de medidas en salud pública como el distanciamiento social y cuarentenas, específicamente para el caso de la pandemia desatada por el nuevo virus SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19. COMENTARIO: Los modelos matemáticos son de gran relevancia para la toma de decisiones objetivas y eficaces para controlar y erradicar la enfermedad. Estos modelos usados para el COVID-19, han apoyado y seguirán aportando información para la selección e implementación de programas y políticas públicas que prevengan complicaciones asociadas, disminuyan la velocidad de propagación del virus y minimicen la aparición de casos severos de enfermedad que puedan colapsar los sistemas de salud.

SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic testing alternatives for Latin America / Alternativas diagnósticas para SARS-CoV-2 para América Latina

Abstract In the past four months SARS-CoV-2 has reached most countries in the world. Public health strategies based on widespread testing and proper isolation of positive cases have shown to be helpful to reduce local transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Confirmatory tests, that identify viral RNA, and screening serological tests that identify viral antigens or host antibodies against viral proteins are part of the tools that nations can use to fight infectious disease epidemics. Understanding how each test works can provide insights about their test characteristics and how they can be used for different clinical and public health goals. Testing is a key strategy to reduce viral transmission, not only for this epidemic, but also for others to come.

Resumen En los últimos cuatro meses, el virus SARS-CoV-2 ha llegado a la mayoría de países en el mundo. Las estrategias de salud pública basadas en la realización masiva de pruebas diagnósticas y el aislamiento focalizado de casos positivos han demostrado ser útiles para la reducción de la transmisión de SARS-CoV-2. Las pruebas confirmatorias, que identifican el ARN viral, y las pruebas serológicas que identifican antígenos virales o anticuerpos contra las proteínas virales del huésped son herramientas que las naciones pueden usar para combatir las epidemias producidas por agentes infecciosos. El comprender cómo funcionan estas pruebas puede ayudar a entender sus características y cómo pueden ser usadas para diferentes objetivos clínicos y de salud pública. Las pruebas diagnósticas son herramientas clave para reducir la transmisión viral, no solo en esta epidemia, sino para otras por venir.

Mathematical model and COVID-19 / Modelos matemáticos y el COVID-19

Abstract Currently, there are several mathematical models that have been developed to understand the dynamics of COVID-19 infection. However, the difference in the sociocultural contexts between countries requires the specific adjustment of these estimates to each scenario. This article analyses the main elements used for the construction of models from epidemiological patterns, to describe the interaction, explain the dynamics of infection and recovery, and to predict possible scenarios that may arise with the introduction of public health measures such as social distancing and quarantines, specifically in the case of the pandemic unleashed by the new SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 virus. Comment: Mathematical models are highly relevant for making objective and effective decisions to control and eradicate the disease. These models used for COVID-19 have supported and will continue to provide information for the selection and implementation of programs and public policies that prevent associated complications, reduce the speed of the virus spread and minimize the occurrence of severe cases of the disease that may collapse health systems.

Resumen En la actualidad existen varios modelos matemáticos que han sido desarrollados para entender la dinámica de la infección por COVID-19. Sin embargo, la diferencia en los contextos socioculturales entre países hace necesario el ajuste específico de estas estimaciones a cada escenario. Este artículo analiza los principales elementos usados para la construcción de los modelos a partir de patrones epidemiológicos, para lograr describir la interacción, explicar la dinámica de infección y recuperación, así como para predecir posibles escenarios que pueden presentarse con la introducción de medidas en salud pública como el distanciamiento social y cuarentenas, específicamente para el caso de la pandemia desatada por el nuevo virus SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19. Comentario: Los modelos matemáticos son de gran relevancia para la toma de decisiones objetivas y eficaces para controlar y erradicar la enfermedad. Estos modelos usados para el COVID-19, han apoyado y seguirán aportando información para la selección e implementación de programas y políticas públicas que prevengan complicaciones asociadas, disminuyan la velocidad de propagación del virus y minimicen la aparición de casos severos de enfermedad que puedan colapsar los sistemas de salud.

The longitudinal effect of early-life sensation seeking on gambling and gambling problems among Puerto Rican young adults.

Sensation seeking has been proposed as a risk factor for gambling and gambling problems; however, existing evidence for a relationship between sensation seeking and gambling behaviors is inconclusive and data are lacking for emerging adults and racial and ethnic minorities. In this longitudinal study, we explored the association between developmental trajectories of sensation seeking in childhood and adolescence and gambling and gambling problems in early adulthood in individuals of Puerto Rican origin. Gambling data were collected during 2014-2018 from a subsample of participants in the Boricua Youth Study who were recruited in the South Bronx of New York City and in San Juan and Caguas, Puerto Rico. Sensation seeking was measured using a 10-item instrument modified from the scale created by Russo et al. for use in children as young as 5 years old. Developmental trajectories of age-adjusted sensation seeking were created using growth mixture models. Gambling and gambling problems were assessed based on the Canadian Adolescent Gambling Inventory (CAGI) Version 1.09. Data were analyzed using descriptive methods and multivariable logistic regression. Individuals in the high sensation-seeking class had lower adjusted odds of past-year gambling (OR = .36; 95% confidence interval [.14, .92]) than did those in the normative sensation-seeking class, whereas no differences were observed for individuals in the low and accelerated classes. No relationship was found between sensation seeking and past-year gambling problems. Given the severe consequences of early initiation of gambling and gambling problems, other early life risk factors and alternative hypotheses for the elevated prevalence of gambling problems in young adults and racial and ethnic minority populations should be explored. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

Do parenting behaviors modify the way sensation seeking influences antisocial behaviors?

BACKGROUND: Parenting behaviors have been shown to moderate the association between sensation seeking and antisocial behaviors. METHODS: Data were obtained from the Boricua Youth Study, a longitudinal study of 2,491 Puerto Rican youth living in the South Bronx, New York, and the metropolitan area of San Juan, Puerto Rico. First, we examined the prospective relationship between sensation seeking and antisocial behaviors across 3 yearly waves and whether this relationship varied by sociodemographic factors. Second, we examined the moderating role of parenting behaviors-including parental monitoring, warmth, and coercive discipline-on the prospective relationship between sensation seeking and antisocial behaviors. RESULTS: Sensation seeking was a strong predictor of antisocial behaviors for youth across two different sociocultural contexts. High parental monitoring buffered the association between sensation seeking and antisocial behaviors, protecting individuals with this trait. Low parental warmth was associated with high levels of antisocial behaviors, regardless of the sensation seeking level. Among those with high parental warmth, sensation seeking predicted antisocial behaviors, but the levels of antisocial behaviors were never as high as those of youth with low parental warmth. CONCLUSIONS: Study findings underscore the relevance of person-family context interactions in the development of antisocial behaviors. Future interventions should focus on the interplay between individual vulnerabilities and family context to prevent the unhealthy expression of a trait that is present in many individuals.

A randomized controlled trial of a transdiagnostic cognitive-behavioral intervention for Afro-descendants' survivors of systemic violence in Colombia.

BACKGROUND: Exposure to violence has negative consequences on mental health. Armed-conflict in Colombia has widely affected Afro-descendants in the Pacific region. Evidence regarding effectiveness of mental health interventions is lacking in low-income settings, especially in areas with active conflict. The objective of this study is to evaluate an individualized Common Elements Treatment Approach (CETA), a transdiagnostic psychotherapy model based on Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, for adult trauma survivors. METHODS AND FINDINGS: A referred sample of 521 adult Afro-descendants from Buenaventura and Quibdó, Colombia, experiencing significant sadness, suffering or fear (score>0.77 in Total Mental Health Symptoms), with history of traumatic experiences, and with associated functional impairment were randomly allocated to CETA intervention, standby group without intervention, but under monthly monitoring, or a Narrative Community-Based Group Therapy. CETA was provided by trained Lay Psychosocial Community Workers without previous mental health experience, supervised by psychologists, during 12-14 weekly, 1.5-hour sessions. Symptoms were assessed with a locally validated survey built based on the Hopkins Symptom Checklist, the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire, the PTSD CheckList-Civilian Version, a qualitative study for additional general symptoms and a gender-specific functional impairment scale. CETA was compared with the control group and the intervention effects were calculated with mixed models using intention to treat analysis. Participant completion of follow-up was 75.1% and 13.2% voluntarily withdrew. Reduction in post-traumatic stress symptoms was significant in both municipalities when comparing intervention and control groups (mean difference), with a with a moderate effect size in Buenaventura (Cohen's d  =  0.70) and a small effect size in Quibdó (d = 0.31). In Buenaventura, the intervention also had significant effects on depression (large effect size d = 1.03), anxiety (large effect size d = 0.80) and functional impairment (moderate effect size d = 0.70). In Quibdó, it had no significant effect on these outcomes. Changes in Total Mental Health Symptoms were not significant in neither city. CONCLUSIONS: This trial suggests that CETA, can be effective in improving depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress and function among victims of systematized violence in low-income and active conflict settings. Nonetheless, the difference of effectiveness between the two cities of intervention may indicate that we cannot assume that a mental health intervention known to be effective in one setting will be effective in another, even in similar circumstances and population. This may have special importance when implementing and reproducing these types of intervention in non-controlled circumstances. Further research should address these concerns. Results can be of use by governmental decision-makers when defining mental health programs for survivors. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01856673 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01856673).

Mental Health and Psychosocial Problems and Needs of Violence Survivors in the Colombian Pacific Coast: A Qualitative Study in Buenaventura and Quibdó.

Introduction/ProblemFor more than 60 years, Colombia experienced an armed conflict involving government forces, guerrillas, and other illegal armed groups. Violence, including torture and massacres, has caused displacement of entire rural communities to urban areas. Lack of information on the problems displaced communities face and on their perceptions on potential solutions to these problems may prevent programs from delivering appropriate services to these communities. This study explores the problems of Afro-Colombian survivors from two major cities in Colombia; the activities they do to take care of themselves, their families, and their community; and possible solutions to these problems. METHODS: This was a qualitative, interview-based study conducted in Quibdó and Buenaventura (Colombia). Free-list interviews and focus groups explored the problems of survivors and the activities they do to take care of themselves, their families, and their community. Key-informant interviews explored details of the identified mental health problems and possible solutions. RESULTS: In Buenaventura, 24 free-list interviews, one focus group, and 17 key-informant interviews were completed. In Quibdó, 29 free-list interviews, one focus group, and 15 key-informant interviews were completed. Mental health problems identified included: (1) problems related to exposure to torture/violent events; (2) problems with adaptation to the new social context; and (3) problems related to current poverty, lack of employment, and ongoing violence. These problems were similar to trauma symptoms and features of depression and anxiety, as described in other populations. Solutions included psychological help, talking to friends/family, relying on God's help, and getting trained in different task or jobs. CONCLUSION: Afro-Colombian survivors of torture and violence described mental health problems similar to those of other trauma-affected populations. These results suggest that existing interventions that address trauma-related symptoms and current ongoing stressors may be appropriate for improving the mental health of survivors in this population. Santaella-TenorioJ, Bonilla-EscobarFJ, Nieto-GilL, Fandiño-LosadaA, Gutiérrez-MartínezMI, BassJ, BoltonP. Mental health and psychosocial problems and needs of violence survivors in the Colombian Pacific Coast: a qualitative study in Buenaventura and Quibdó. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2018;33(6):567-574.