Latin America and the Caribbean Code Against Cancer 1st edition: Formative research on the comprehension and persuasiveness of the recommendations by the general population.

BACKGROUND: Cancer prevention is the most efficient and cost-effective strategy in cancer control. One prevention strategy is giving credible, clear, and evidence-based recommendations to the individual; however, it is key that these messages are accepted and understood properly by the public. This study aimed to pilot the draft recommendations developed as part of the Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) Code Against Cancer 1st edition, in terms of comprehension and persuasion of each message. METHODS: A mixed method two-wave study, in which two versions of the messages were presented to the general population in five LAC countries. We used an ad-hoc questionnaire and interviews that followed the cognitive-pretesting methodology. RESULTS: Findings suggest that the messages were generally well understood, especially in Spanish speaking countries, and that the messages were generally more understandable than persuasive. We adapted and revised the recommendations based on the findings of the first Wave and held a second iteration in the Spanish speaking countries. We observed a better understanding of most messages in Wave 2. CONCLUSION: The LAC Code Against Cancer is a valuable tool of well understood messages for the public, with concrete actions everyone can take to prevent cancer. Further research should assess particularities of the region for further efficient dissemination of these important health messages, identify key messages for certain population groups and future interventions that strengthen health literacy in rural and less educated populations to increase behavior change.

Sistema de Monitoreo a la equidad territorial y avances en los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible en Colombia

Aunque el cumplimiento de los Objetivos de Desarrollo del Milenio tuvo un balance positivo, con promedios nacionales que en general mejoraron, las desigualdades dentro de los países aumentaron. La agenda de los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible (ODS) busca promover avances en términos de equidad territorial, por esto la incorporación del espacio geográfico en su monitoreo a escalas subnacionales ofrece ventajas importantes. Este artículo tuvo como objetivo describir el Sistema de Monitoreo Territorial a los ODS3 (MOT-ODS3), una herramienta digital diseñada para incrementar la disponibilidad de información a nivel municipal sobre las desigualdades e inequidades territoriales relacionadas con la salud y el bienestar en Colombia. Para demostrar su funcionalidad se describen los componentes del Sistema, indicadores, mapas, gráficos y métricas de desigualdad utilizados, así como también los perfiles de país y departamento, diseñados para reportar los resultados del monitoreo. Como ejemplo práctico de la utilización del Sistema se analizan los indicadores de Colombia entre 2015 y 2017. Según el monitoreo, Colombia mostró mejoras en la salud y el bienestar de la población; sin embargo, se apreciaron diferencias notables intermunicipales en casi todos los indicadores y brechas territoriales en la mortalidad entre municipios ricos y pobres y entre la zona rural y la urbana. Puede decirse que el MOT-ODS3 incrementó la disponibilidad de información para estimular y apoyar el avance del país hacia el logro de los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible.

Although compliance with the Millennium Development Goals had a positive balance, with national averages that generally improved, inequalities within countries increased. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) agenda seeks to promote progress in terms of territorial equity, which is why the incorporation of geographic space in its monitoring at subnational scales offers important advantages. This article aimed to describe the Territorial Monitoring System for the SDGs3 (MOT-ODS3), a digital tool designed to increase the availability of information at the municipal level on territorial inequalities and inequities related to health and well-being in Colombia. To demonstrate its functionality, the components of the System, indicators, maps, graphs and inequality metrics used are described, as well as the country and departmental profiles designed to report monitoring results. As a practical example of the use of the System, the indicators for Colombia between 2015 and 2017 are analyzed. According to the monitoring, Colombia showed improvements in the health and well-being of the population; however, notable inter-municipal differences were seen in almost all indicators and territorial gaps in mortality between rich and poor municipalities and between rural and urban areas. It can be said that the MOT-ODS3 increased the availability of information to stimulate and support the country's progress towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Health Beliefs Associated with the Follow-Up of Pap Smear Abnormalities Among Low-Income Women in Medellín, Colombia.

The purpose of the study was to explore variables of the health belief model in relation to the follow-up of abnormal Pap smear among low-income women in Medellín, Colombia. Eight focus groups (62 women) were conducted according to age groups (25-45 and 46-69 years). The data were analyzed using content analysis. The participants perceived themselves as vulnerable, recognized the severity of the disease in terms of both its emotional and physical consequences, perceived the benefits of the follow-up, and mentioned cues to action, such as social support and the support of health entities. Perceived self-efficacy was compromised by health system barriers and by personal barriers, such as placing the needs of their children ahead of their own, fear, neglect, and the pain caused by the diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Health education activities aimed at increasing the follow-up of abnormal Pap smears should consider psychological factors.

The effect of misclassification error on risk estimation in case-control studies.

INTRODUCTION: In epidemiological studies, misclassification error, especially differential misclassification, has serious implications. OBJECTIVE: To illustrate how differential misclassification error (DME) and non-differential misclassification error (NDME) occur in a case-control design and to describe the trends in DME and NDME. METHODS: Different sensitivity levels, specificity levels, prevalence rates and odds ratios were simulated. Interaction graphics were constructed to study bias in the different settings, and the effect of the different factors on bias was described using linear models. RESULTS: One hundred per cent of the biases caused by NDME were negative. DME biased the association positively more often than it did negatively (70 versus 30%), increasing or decreasing the OR estimate towards the null hypothesis. CONCLUSIONS: The effect of the sensitivity and specificity in classifying exposure, the prevalence of exposure in controls and true OR differed between positive and negative biases. The use of valid exposure classification instruments with high sensitivity and high specificity is recommended to mitigate this type of bias.

The effect of misclassification error on risk estimation in case-control studies / Efeito da má classificação na estimativa de risco em estudo caso-controle

In epidemiological studies, misclassification error, especially differential misclassification, has serious implications.

Em estudos epidemiológicos, o erro de classificação, especialmente o diferencial tem sérias implicações.

Barreras y facilitadores del sistema de salud relacionadas con el seguimiento de anormalidades citológicas, Medellín-Colombia / Barriers and Facilitators of the Health System Related to the Follow-Up of Cytological Abnormalities, Medellin-Colombia / Barreiras e facilitadores do sistema de saúde relacionadas com o monitoramento de anormalidades citológicas, Medellin-Colómbia

Objetivos: identificar barreras y facilitadores del seguimiento: diagnóstico y tratamiento de anormalidades citológicas en mujeres de bajos ingresos usuarias de la red pública de servicios de salud de la ciudad de Medellín, Colombia. Métodos: se realizaron ocho grupos focales (62 mujeres) según grupos de edad (25-45 y 46-69 años) y se hizo un análisis de contenido. Resultados: las barreras del sistema de salud reportadas fueron: a) barreras estructurales: fragmentación en la prestación del servicio, problemas con afiliaciones y características del régimen de afiliación; b) barreras administrativas: problemas y demoras en la asignación de citas, largas filas, problemas con autorizaciones y maltrato; y c) barreras económicas derivadas de las dos anteriores y relacionadas con el gasto de bolsillo. También se mencionaron facilitadores estructurales y administrativos. Conclusión: algunas características estructurales del sistema de salud y de la administración de las aseguradoras limitan el acceso de las mujeres al seguimiento de lesiones precancerosas.

Objectives: Identifying barriers and facilitators of the diagnostic monitoring and treatment of cytological abnormalities in low-income women users of the public health service network in Medellin, Colombia. Methods: We created eight focal groups (62 women) according to age groups (ages 25-45 and 46-69), and performed a content analysis. Results: The reported barriers ofthe health system were: a) structural barriers: fragmentation in the provision of the service, problems with the affiliations and characteristics of the affiliation regime; b) management barriers: problems and delays in the assignment of appointments, long queues, problems with authorizations and mistreatment; and c) economic barriers derived from the aforementioned and related with expenses. Management and structural facilitators were also mentioned. Conclusion: Some structural characteristics of the health system and the management of insurance companies limit access for women to the monitoring of pre-cancerous lesions.

Objetivos: identificar barreiras e facilitadores do seguimento: diagnóstico e tratamento de anormalidades citológicas em mulheres de baixa renda usuárias da rede pública de serviços de saúde da cidade de Medellín, Colombia. Métodos: Realizaram-se oito grupos foçais (62 mulheres) de acordo com as faixas etárias (25-45 e 46-69 anos) e se fez análise de conteúdo. Resultados: as barreiras do sistema de saúde reportadas foram: a) barreiras estruturais: fragmentacáo na prestacáo do serviço, problemas com afiliacoes e caraterísticas do régime de afiliação; b) barreiras administrativas: problemas e atrasos na alocação de citas, longas filas, problemas com autorizares e abuso; e c) barreiras económicas decorrentes das duas anteriores e relacionadas com a caixa pequena. Mesmo foram mencionados facilitadores estructuráis e administrativos. Conclusão: algumas caraterísticas estruturais do sistema de saúde e da administração das asseguradoras limitam o acesso das mulheres ao acompanhamento de lesoes précancerosas.