Understanding antibiotic knowledge, attitudes, and practices: a cross-sectional study in physicians from a Colombian region, 2023.

BACKGROUND: Antibiotic resistance has been identified as a global health threat. Knowledge, attitudes, and inappropriate prescription practices of antibiotics by physicians play a crucial role in this problem. In Colombia, research addressing this issue is scarce. METHODS: A cross-sectional study involving 258 physicians was conducted. A scale with questions on sociodemographic aspects, level of education, satisfaction with antibiotic education received, and knowledge, attitudes, and practices was administered. The scale was designed for each item to be analyzed individually or as a total score ranging from 0 to 100 (0 being the lowest and 100 the highest). RESULTS: 31.5% of physicians rated the education received on antibiotics as fair to poor. The knowledge score was 80.1 (IQR 70.5-87.5); however, 25.2% agreed to some extent that amoxicillin is useful in treating most respiratory infections, and 15% agreed that antibiotics are effective in treating upper respiratory infections. Attitudes scored 80.2 (IQR 75.0-86.5), with 99% stating that bacterial resistance is a public health problem in Colombia, but only 56.9% considering it a problem affecting their daily practice. Practices scored 75.5 (IQR 68.8-81.2), and 71.7% affirmed that if they refuse to prescribe antibiotics to a patient who does not need them, the patient can easily obtain them from another physician. General practitioners were found to have lower scores in all three indices evaluated. CONCLUSION: The study reveals enduring misconceptions and concerning practices in antibiotic prescription, particularly among general practitioners. Enhancing knowledge necessitates the implementation of continuous medical education programs that focus on updated antibiotic guidelines, and resistance patterns. Fostering positive attitudes requires a culture of trust and collaboration among healthcare professionals. Practical enhancements can be realized through the establishment of evidence-based prescribing guidelines and the integration of regular feedback mechanisms. Moreover, advocating for the inclusion of antimicrobial stewardship principles in medical curricula is crucial, emphasizing the significance of responsible antibiotic use early in medical education.

Metabolically Unhealthy Normal Weight: Prevalence and Associated Factors in an Adult Population from Northwest Colombia.

Background and Aim: Individuals with a normal weight may have metabolic alterations at risk for chronic non-communicable diseases. The prevalence of this condition and associated factors have not been reported in Latin American populations. We aimed to estimate the presence and associated factors of Metabolically Unhealthy Normal Weight (MUNW) in adults from a public program for the control and prevention of chronic diseases in Medellín, Colombia. Methods: Cross-sectional study. Overweight and normal weight were characterized according to the absence or presence of one or more components of the metabolic syndrome, obtaining four phenotypes: Metabolically Healthy Normal Weight (MHNW), MUNW (phenotype of interest), Metabolically Healthy Overweight (MHO), and Metabolically Unhealthy Overweight (MUO). The association of these phenotypes with sociodemographic variables of lifestyles and increased waist circumference was conducted by using logistic regression. Results: In 37,558 individuals (72.7% women), the prevalence of MUNW was 23.3%. Among the additional phenotypes, MUO was found to be more prevalent (71.6%), while MHNW and MHO were very slightly common, 2% and 3.1%, respectively. In a multiple model, the factors associated with MUNW were age over 60 years (trend [OR 1.56 95% CI 0.97-2.52] p-value = 0.066), living in a rural area ([OR 1.58 95% CI 1.09-2.29] p-value = 0.015), and increased waist circumference ([OR 1.68 95% CI 1.45-1.95] p-value < 0.001). Male gender was inversely associated with all phenotypes (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Almost a quarter of the analyzed population presented MUNW. People living in a rural area and over 60 years old were more likely to present MUNW. Men were less likely to present the weight phenotypes studied, although they could have been underrepresented.

Social representations of cancer in patients from Medellín, Colombia: a qualitative study.

Background: Cancer has different explanatory theories that address its etiology and treatment. It is usually associated with pain and suffering. Recently, new technologies, knowledge, and therapies have been developed, which may have transformed the classic social representations of the disease. This study aimed to understand the social representations (SRs) of cancer in patients from Medellín, Colombia. Methods: This study used a grounded theory in 16 patients with cancer. The information was collected between June 2020 and May 2021. Information was analyzed following the open, axial, and selective coding stages. Results: SRs of cancer at the time of diagnosis evoke negative connotations. However, cancer is redefined as a positive event as the clinical course of the disease progresses, and patients interact with health professionals and respond to treatment. The resignification of the disease depends on the etiological models of the patients, which include genetic, socio-anthropological, psychosocial, and psychogenic factors. In line with the SRs of etiology, patients seek out treatments complementary to the biomedical ones that can be socio-anthropological and psychogenic. Conclusion: In this group negative representations about cancer persist, this way of understanding the disease is determined by the convergence of cultural meanings and personal experiences. The causal representation is connected to the actions and willingness of the patients to face their diagnosis. In this sense, two categories stand out: the first expresses that cancer is the consequence of a body subjected to excessive productivity; the second subsumes a psychogenic predisposition caused by the context where the ideology of happiness appears to be a social norm. This double saturation in which an individual is immersed results in new burdens that are not visible to caregivers and healthcare workers.

HIV in Three Groups of Young People from Medellín: General Population, Organizations for People with Socioeconomic Vulnerability, and Men Who Have Sex with Other Men.

Introduction: In Colombia, there are no studies that analyze the effect of socioeconomic vulnerability and belonging to the group of men who have sex with other men (MSM) on the prevalence of HIV in young people. Objective: To compare the prevalence of HIV in three groups of young people from Medellín-Colombia: general population, socioeconomic vulnerability and MSM. Methods: This cross-sectional analytical study included 2449 young people from the general population, 1736 from institutions that serve young people in situations of socioeconomic vulnerability, and 2269 MSM. The prevalence of infection in each group was determined, statistical differences were identified using Pearson's Chi-square and Trend's Chi-square, and crude and adjusted odds ratios were estimated using logistic regression with 95% confidence intervals. Analyses were performed in SPSS 29.0. Results: HIV prevalence was 0.8% in the general population group, 1.3% in young people with socioeconomic vulnerability, and 5.6% in MSM. The groups with the highest HIV were as follows: (i) in MSM it was 4.1 compared to the general population, (ii) between 25-28 years of age it was 2.9 times compared to those under 20 years, (iii) in men it was 10 times that registered in women, (iv) in young people with primary, secondary, technical and university studies it was 7.1; 6.7; 11.0 and 14.5 times that found in those who did not register studies, (v) in affiliates of the subsidized health regime it was 2.2 times and in those without affiliation 2.4 times compared to the infection in affiliates of the contributory health regime. Conclusion: HIV prevalence was high, and explained by socioeconomic vulnerability, having sex between men, gender, age, education, and health affiliation, demonstrating the intersectionality of determinants of the health system, socioeconomic status, and determinants individuals in the occurrence of HIV in young people in Medellín.

Antibiotic Self-Medication Patterns and Associated Factors in the Context of COVID-19, Medellín, Colombia: A Survey Based Cross Sectional Study.

Objective: To describe the frequency of self-medication with antibiotics and its associated factors in Medellín, Colombia. Methods: A descriptive study was conducted on 778 individuals surveyed regarding sociodemographic characteristics, self-medication with antibiotics, reasons for using these drugs, and types of antibiotics used. The analysis was performed in SPSS using absolute and relative frequencies with their corresponding confidence intervals, chi-square test, and logistic regression. Results: The frequency of self-medication with antibiotics was 46% (95% CI 42.5-49.5), with 47.4% (95% CI 42.2-52.5) of the population using antibiotics without medical prescription for flu-like symptoms related to COVID-19. Amoxicillin (33.7%), azithromycin (10.9%), and cephalexin (4.7%) were the most used antibiotics. The main factors associated with self-medication were age group, zone of residence, and lack of information on the appropriate use of these medications. Conclusion: The city exhibits a high frequency of self-medication with antibiotics, predominantly in conditions where they are ineffective, such as flu-like symptoms related to COVID-19. These findings highlight the contribution of the COVID-19 pandemic to bacterial resistance through self-medication and underscore the need to implement targeted actions to control the use of these medications.

Influence of Positive Thinking Ideology on Physician Representations of Cancer.

To understand the influence of positive thinking ideology on cancer representations among physicians in the city of Medellín. METHODS: This qualitative study was conducted on the basis of the theoretical and methodological elements of Corbin and Strauss's grounded theory. Fourteen physicians were included and selected according to the criteria of maximum variation for education, years of study, and personal and family history of cancer. The information was collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed with open, axial, and selective coding. RESULTS: the ideology of positive thinking has managed to permeate the medical discourse and the representations that they form about the etiology and treatment of cancer. Physicians place the mind, emotions, attitude, and positive thinking as determinants of the origin of the disease and the response to therapy. To argue this link, they use two strategies: (i) a sophisticated and specialized discourse that involves relationships among thoughts, genetics, the neurological, immune and endocrine system and (ii) a mystical and less rational discourse that emphasizes the omnipotence of the mind and thoughts. In no case was the idea of positive thinking rejected or in disagreement with this style of thinking expressed. CONCLUSION: The fact of linking the disease with mental factors refers to the mind-body dualism and generates a responsibility of the patients on the etiology and therapeutics of the disease, as well as an erasure of the social and political determinants of cancer. The technical discourse and the symbolic capital of physicians offer scientific legitimacy to these ideas and can become performative for patients.

Social determination of malaria in pregnancy in Colombia: a critical ethnographic study.

BACKGROUND: The meanings and experiences related to malaria in pregnancy (MiP) and its processes of social determination of health (PSDH) have not been reported in the world scientific literature. The objective was to understand the meanings and experiences of MiP, and to explain their PSDH in an endemic area from Colombia, 2022. METHODS: Critical ethnography with 46 pregnant women and 31 healthcare workers. In-depth and semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, participant and non-participant observations, and field diaries were applied. A phenomenological-hermeneutic analysis, saturation and triangulation was carried out. The methodological rigor criteria were reflexivity, credibility, auditability, and transferability. RESULTS: At the singular level, participants indicated different problems in antenatal care and malaria control programmes, pregnant women were lacking knowledge about MiP, and malaria care was restricted to cases with high obstetric risk. Three additional levels that explain the PSDH of MiP were identified: (i) limitations of malaria control policies, and health-system, geographic, cultural and economic barriers by MiP diagnosis and treatment; (ii) problems of public health programmes and antenatal care; (iii) structural problems such as monetary poverty, scarcity of resources for public health and inefficiency in their use, lacking community commitment to preventive actions, and breach of institutional responsibilities of health promoter entity, municipalities and health services provider institutions. CONCLUSION: Initiatives for MiP control are concentrated at the singular level, PDSH identified in this research show the need to broaden the field of action, increase health resources, and improve public health programmes and antenatal care. It is also necessary to impact the reciprocal relationships of MiP with economic and cultural dimensions, although these aspects are increasingly diminished with the predominance and naturalization of neoliberal logic in health.

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Antibiotic Sales in Pharmacies in Medellín, Colombia 2023.

OBJECTIVE: Describe the knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding the sale of antibiotics in pharmacies in Medellín, Colombia. METHOD: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in 277 selected pharmacies using a stratified sampling method with proportional allocation to represent all areas of the city. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAPs) were assessed using a scale, analyzed with absolute and relative frequencies for each item, and represented in a global score ranging from 0 to 100, with a higher score indicating better KAPs. Data were analyzed using relative frequencies with 95% confidence intervals, the Mann-Whitney U test, the Kruskal-Wallis test, and linear regression. RESULTS: Of the included pharmacies, 52.6% were chain pharmacies, 48.4% were attended by pharmacy assistants, and 59% of pharmacists had more than 5 years of experience. The median knowledge score was 70.8 (IQR 58.3-87.5), with 35.3% of pharmacists believing that antibiotics are effective in treating the common cold, 35.2% for treating COVID-19, and 29.4% considering them available for sale without a medical prescription. The attitude score was 53.3 (40.0-66.7), with 60.9% agreeing that prohibiting the sale of antibiotics without a prescription would decrease their sales. The practice score was 62.5 (40.0-79.2), with 65.4% of pharmacists stating that they sometimes sell antibiotics without a prescription due to patients struggling to obtain a medical consultation, 61.3% admitting to selling antibiotics without a prescription for urinary tract infections, and 41.3% for upper respiratory tract infections. Practices were predominantly influenced by pharmacy type (chain or independent) and, to a lesser extent, by knowledge and attitudes. CONCLUSION: Pharmacists in Medellín exhibit inadequate knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding the use and sale of antibiotics without a medical prescription. These findings align with international evidence highlighting the need for educational and regulatory strategies promoting rational antibiotic use in pharmacies.

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Regarding Antibacterial and Their Resistance in Medellín-Colombia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAPs) profile on bacterial resistance and antibiotic in the general population of Medellín. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted from September to December 2022, with 902 participants selected through stratified sampling with proportional allocation of different sectors of the city. The KAP scale was developed through a literature review, elimination of duplicate items, validity assessment, and reliability evaluation using Cronbach's alpha. Each item was presented with absolute and relative frequencies on a Likert scale, with a total score ranging from 0 to 100, where a higher score indicates better knowledge, attitudes, and practices. Comparisons were made using Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis H, and linear regression. RESULTS: The knowledge score median was 73.3 (IQR 63.3-93.3), with 36.9% reporting that antibiotics can be stopped once symptoms improve and 26.1% considering them as analgesics or antipyretics. The attitudes score was 83.3 (IQR 73.3-93.3), with 95.3% expressing concern about the impact on their health or that of their family and over 90% agreeing that more information is needed on antibiotic resistance. The practice score was the lowest at 63.9 (IQR 50-75), with 48% having been prescribed antibiotics at the pharmacy and 42.6% taking them to treat flu symptoms. Economic status (ß 2.645), education in health-related areas (ß 6.224), gender (ß 2.892), and education level (ß 3.257) determined knowledge. Knowledge (ß 0.387), gender (ß 2.807), and education level (ß 0.686) influenced attitudes, but practices were only determined by Knowledge (ß 0.084) attitudes (ß 0.552) and age group (ß 2.858). CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge about antibiotics and bacterial resistance does not significantly influence the practices of the population. Therefore, interventions aimed at improving knowledge need to be reconsidered as they may not contribute to the appropriate use of antibiotics and prevention of resistance to these drugs.

Clinical and Parasitological Profiles of Gestational, Placental and Congenital Malaria in Northwestern Colombia.

This study compared the clinical-parasitological profiles of gestational (GM), placental (PM), and congenital (CM) malaria in northwestern Colombia. A cross-sectional study with 829 pregnant women, 549 placentas, and 547 newborns was conducted. The frequency of GM was 35.8%, PM 20.9%, and CM 8.5%. P. vivax predominated in GM; in PM, the proportion of P. vivax and P. falciparum was similar; in CM, P. falciparum predominated. The main clinical findings were headache (49%), anemia (32%), fever (24%), and musculoskeletal pain (13%). The clinical manifestations were statistically higher in P. vivax infections. In submicroscopic GM (positive with qPCR and negative with thick blood smear), the frequency of anemia, sore throat, and a headache was statistically higher compared with pregnant women without malaria. GM, PM, and CM reduce birth weight and head circumference. In Colombia, this is the first research on the clinical characteristics of GM, PM, and CM; contrary to evidence from other countries, P. vivax and submicroscopic infections are associated with clinical outcomes.

Explanatory Model of Psychogenic, Behavioral and Environmental Causal Attributions of Cancer, and Their Psychogenic, Biomedical and Alternative Treatment in the General Population of Medellín, Colombia.

BACKGROUND: Understanding the causal attributions for cancer, the elements affecting therapeutic adherence, and behaviors that may compromise people's health or even put them at risk of dying from this disease has garnered a considerable degree of attention. METHODS: This study was designed in the city of Medellín with the aim to develop and validate a model for the study of (i) the categories that can be attributable to cancer etiology, (ii) the categories that can be attributed to the efficacy of treatment, and (iii) the relationship between the categories that can be attributed to the etiology and to the efficacy of the treatment. Structural equations were performed on 611 participants. RESULTS: The analysis revealed that attributing the disease to psychogenic factors distances people from biomedical treatments (ß coefficient, -0.12), and brings them closer to psychogenic (ß coefficient, 0.22) and alternative treatments (ß coefficient, 0.24). Attributing cancer to behavioral factors brings people closer to psychogenic treatments (ß coefficient, 0.40) over biomedical treatments (ß coefficient, 0.24). CONCLUSIONS: Symbolic, cultural, and social factors were evidenced, thereby leading to the underestimation of biomedical treatments and imparting a greater degree of importance to psychogenic or alternative therapies. These therapies will subsequently affect the achievement of therapeutic objectives such as increased survival.

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Seroprevalence of HIV, HBV, HCV and HTLV I-II in a Blood Bank in Medellín, Colombia, 2019-2022.

The objective of this research was to analyze the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on seroprevalence of HIV, HBV, HCV and HTLV I-II in donors from a blood bank in Medellin, Colombia, 2019-2022. A cross-sectional analytical study was carried out with three groups: pre-pandemic with 14,879 donors; preventive isolation with 9035; and selective isolation + new normality with 26,647 subjects. Comparisons were made with Chi2 and Bonferroni adjustment, Kruskal-Wallis' H with Dunnett's post-hoc, prevalence ratios, and multivariate logistic regression. COVID-19 decreased donations of men, altruistic and repetitive donors, and increased the age of donors. HIV increased with the COVID-19 pandemic, while HBV, HCV, and HTLV I-II decreased. The pandemic had an independent effect on these viral infections. These findings constitute an alert about what may be happening in the general population and show the importance of improving epidemiological surveillance and the investigation of these infections.

Diagnostic Accuracy of a Thick Blood Smear Compared to qPCR for Malaria Associated with Pregnancy in Colombia.

This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of the thick blood smear (TBS) versus quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) for the diagnosis of malaria associated with pregnancy (MAP) caused by P. falciparum or P. vivax in Colombia in its gestational malaria (GM), placental malaria (PM), and congenital malaria (CM) forms as well as to compare its accuracy in different subgroups of pregnant women according to the presence of fever, anemia and a history of malaria. This was a diagnostic evaluation of 829 pregnant women, 579 placentas, 381 umbilical cord samples, and 221 neonatal peripheral blood samples. Accuracy was evaluated based on the parameters of sensitivity, specificity, predictive values, likelihood ratios, and validity index, with their 95% confidence intervals. The frequency of GM was 36% (n = 297/829), PM 27% (n = 159/579), and CM 16.5% (n = 63/381) in umbilical cord samples and 2% (n = 5/221) in neonatal peripheral blood samples. For GM, the sensitivity was 55%, with higher rates in those infected with P. vivax (68%), with a history of malaria (69%), and with fever (96%). These three subgroups presented the best results in terms of the negative likelihood ratio and validity index. For PM, sensitivity was 8%; in subgroup analyses in terms of species, symptomatology (anemia and fever), and history of malaria, it was 1-18%, and the negative likelihood ratio was >0.80 in all subgroups. No false positives were recorded in any of the subgroups. The TBS did not detect any cases of CM. This study found the TBS yielded satisfactory results in terms of diagnosing GM for P. vivax, pregnant women with previous malaria and febrile. It also showed that the TBS is not useful for diagnosing PM and CM. It is necessary to conduct surveillance of MAP with molecular methods in in groups where TBS is deficient (asymptomatic GM, P. falciparum, and pregnant women without history of malaria) to optimize the timely treatment of PM and CM, avoid the deleterious effects of MAP and achieve the malaria elimination goals in Colombia.

Systematic review of the diagnostic accuracy of thick smear compared to polymerase chain reaction for pregnancy-associated malaria, 2010-2022. / Revisión sistemática de la exactitud diagnóstica de la gota gruesa en comparación con la reacción en cadena de la polimerasa para malaria asociada al embarazo, 2010-2022.

OBJECTIVE.: To evaluate the accuracy of thick smear (TS) versus quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for pregnancy-associated malaria (PAM). MATERIALS AND METHODS.: We carried out a systematic review of diagnostic tests in nine databases. Methodological quality was evaluated with QUADAS. Sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio (PLR), negative likelihood ratio (NLR), diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) and area under the ROC curve were estimated. Heterogeneity was determined with the Der Simonian-Laird Q method and uncertainty with the weighted percentage of each study on the overall result. RESULTS.: We included 10 studies with 5691 pregnant women, 1415 placentas and 84 neonates. In the studies with nested PCR (nPCR) and quantitative PCR (qPCR) as the standard, the diagnostic accuracy results were statistically similar, with very low sensitivity (50 and 54%, respectively), high specificity (99% in both cases), high PLR and poor NLR. When nPCR was used, the DOR was 162 (95%CI=66-401) and the area under the ROC curve was 95%, while with qPCR it was 231 (95%CI=27-1951) and 78%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS.: We demonstrated that research on the diagnostic accuracy of TS in PAM is limited. Microscopy showed poor performance in the diagnosis of asymptomatic or low parasitemia infections, which reinforces the importance of implementing other types of techniques for the follow-up and control of malaria infections in pregnant women, in order to achieve the control and possible elimination of PAM.

OBJETIVOS.: Evaluar la exactitud de gota gruesa (GG) frente a la reacción en cadena de la polimerasa (PCR) cuantitativa para la malaria asociada al embarazo (MAE). MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS.: Se realizó una revisión sistemática de pruebas diagnósticas en nueve bases de datos. Se evaluó la calidad metodológica con QUADAS. Se estimó sensibilidad, especificidad, cociente de probabilidad positivo (CPP) y negativo (CPN), razón de odds diagnóstica (ORD) y área bajo la curva ROC. Se determinó la heterogeneidad con el estadístico Q de Der Simonian-Laird y la incertidumbre con el porcentaje de peso de cada estudio sobre el resultado global. RESULTADOS.: Se incluyeron diez estudios con 5691 gestantes, 1415 placentas y 84 neonatos. En los estudios con nPCR (PCR anidada) y qPCR (PCR cuantitativa) como estándar, los resultados de exactitud diagnóstica fueron estadísticamente similares, con sensibilidad muy baja (50 y 54%, respectivamente), alta especificidad (99% en ambos casos), alto CPP y deficiente CPN. Usando nPCR la OR diagnóstica fue 162 (IC95%=66-401) y el área bajo la curva ROC fue 95%, mientras que con qPCR fueron 231 (IC95%=27-1951) y 78%, respectivamente. CONCLUSIONES.: Mediante un protocolo exhaustivo se demostró el bajo desarrollo de investigaciones sobre la exactitud diagnóstica de la GG en MAE. Se demostró que la microscopía tiene un desempeño deficiente para el diagnóstico de infecciones asintomáticas o de baja parasitemia, lo que afianza la importancia de implementar otro tipo de técnicas en el seguimiento y control de las infecciones por malaria en las gestantes, con el fin de lograr el control y posible eliminación de la MAE.

Desempeño psicométrico e intervalos de referencia del WHOQOL-BREF en población sana, Medellín-Colombia / Psychometric performance and WHOQOL-BREF reference intervals in a healthy population, Medellín-Colombia

Resumen Introducción: El instrumento de calidad de vida de la Organización Mundial de la Salud es ampliamente utilizado en personas sanas y enfermas; sin embargo, son pocos los estudios colombianos que han analizado sus dimensiones en población sana. Objetivo: Evaluar las propiedades psicométricas del WHOQOL-BREF en población sana de Medellín, y estimar los intervalos de referencia para sus cuatro dimensiones. Métodos: Estudio transversal y de evaluación psicométrica en 1938 personas. Se evaluó fiabilidad con el α de Cronbach, consistencia interna y poder discriminante con Rho de Spearman, validez de contenido con coeficientes λ y varianza explicada mediante un análisis factorial exploratorio con extracción por componentes principales. Se eliminaron valores aberrantes mediante el estadístico de Grubbs, se estimaron los intervalos de referencia globales para cada dimensión del WHOQOL-BREF y los específicos, según variables demográficas y socioeconómicas, mediante intervalos de confianza del 95% para la media, y comparaciones mediante T- Student y Anova. Los análisis se realizaron en SPPS 25.0®. Resultados: Se halló una excelente fiabilidad, consistencia interna, poder discriminante y validez de contenido en las cuatro dimensiones del instrumento en población sana. Los valores de referencia fueron 64,3-65,6 en salud física, 70,8-72,0 en salud psicológica, 64,3-65,9 en salud social y 60,5-61,6 en salud ambiental, con diferencias estadísticamente significativas según las características demográficas y socioeconómicas Conclusión: El excelente desempeño psicométrico de la escala en población sana, permitió la estimación de los intervalos de referencia para las cuatro dimensiones, así como los valores para subgrupos conformados por variables demográficas y socioeconómicas, lo que resulta determinante para incluir los desenlaces centrados en las personas en los programas de medicina y salud pública, así como comparadores adecuados para población enferma.

Abstract Introduction: The Quality of Life Instrument of the World Health Organization is widely used in healthy and sick people; however, few Colombian studies have analyzed its dimensions in a healthy population. Objective: To evaluate the psychometric properties of the WHOQOL-BREF in a healthy population of Medellín and to estimate the reference intervals for it's four dimensions. Methods: Cross-sectional study and psychometric evaluation in 1938 people. Reliability was evaluated with Cronbach's α, internal consistency and discriminant power with Spearman's Rho, content validity with λ coefficients and variance explained by means of an exploratory factor analysis with extraction by principal components. Aberrant values were eliminated using the Grubbs statistic, the global reference intervals were estimated for each dimension of the WHOQOL-BREF and the specific ones, according to demographic and socioeconomic variables, using 95% confidence intervals for the mean, and comparisons using Student's t and Anova. The analyzes were carried out in SPPS 27.0®. Results: Excellent reliability, internal consistency, discriminating power, and content validity were found in the four dimensions of the instrument in a healthy population. The reference values were 64.3-65.6 in physical health, 70.8-72.0 in psychological health, 64.3-65.9 in social health and 60.5-61.6 in environmental health, with statistically significant differences according to demographic and socioeconomic characteristics Conclusion: The excellent psychometric performance of the scale in the healthy population allowed the estimation of the reference intervals for the four dimensions, as well as the values for subgroups made up of demographic and socioeconomic variables, which is decisive for including the outcomes centered on people in medicine and public health programs, as well as suitable comparators for the sick population.

The Relation of Ideology of Positive Thinking with the Perception of Cancer Risk and Ways of Treating It in Medellin, Colombia.

Purpose: This study has the following objectives: i) to construct an instrument to measure positive thinking ideology (PTI) regarding cancer, and to evaluate its psychometric properties, ii) to describe the effects of PTI on cancer risk and its treatment, and iii) to identify the associated factors with PTI in the study group. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 611 people from the Medellin, Colombia. Participants were selected through stratified sampling with proportional assignment. A survey with three constructs was applied: the role of negative emotions in cancer etiology, cancer as a redeeming event, and the effects of PTI in cancer treatment. Results: In negative emotions construct 47% considered that holding anger, resentment, and hatred represent a moderate or high risk of generating cancer. In redeeming power construct 46.5% found that cancer is a battle that the best warriors win. Concerning the treatment, 77.3% considered that facing the disease with a fighting spirit had a moderate to high positive effect in response to the treatment. The associated factors with PTI were reading self-help books and education level. Conclusion: The results show that PTI affects perceptions about the cancer, its etiology and treatment. This effect is greater in undereducated people and in self-help book readers. The instrument showed excellent reliability, internal consistency, discriminating power, content, and construct validity properties.

Epidemiology of Snake Bites Linked with the Antivenoms Production in Colombia 2008-2020: Produced Vials Do Not Meet the Needs.

Introduction: Snakebite envenomation is a public health event of mandatory reporting in Colombia. It is considered a medical emergency in which the government must guarantee antivenom availability. We describe snakebite epidemiological figures in Colombia between 2008 and 2020 and correlate them with antivenom manufacturing figures to determine rate coverage and the need for antivenom. Methods: We performed an ecological study based on secondary official figures from the National Health Institute, the National Institute for Surveillance of Medicines and Foods, the National Administrative Department of Statistics and the Ministry of Health and Social Protection. Absolute and relative frequencies were calculated with 95% confidence intervals, position measurements, dispersion and central tendency. Results: Through our research, we revealed that in the last 13 years (2008-2020), there were an average of 4467 annual snakebite envenomation cases affecting all the departments in Colombia. Antioquia reported the highest number of snakebites with 647 (95% CI 588-706) cases per year. The population incidence per 100,000 inhabitants was 9.5; the highest rates were found in Vaupés at 116.1 and Guaviare at 79.24. During the last seven years (2014-2020) Colombia produced an average of 21,104 antivenom vials per year, while the annual demand for antivenom is estimated at 54,440 units needed to guarantee access. Discussion: Colombia does not produce sufficient vials to cover their needs, and this is why only 74.4% of accidents (out of the 92% not classified as dry bites) were treated, and even 9.7% of the severe accidents did not receive the specific treatment (8% of the victims were classified as dry bites). Figures support the regular antivenom shortages declared by the Ministry of Health and Social Protection in the last 13 years (11 health emergency declarations). New efforts are needed to: 1) boost the production of GMP-based high-quality antivenom, that covers the national needs and is made availability, 2) a better estimation method to calculate the need for antivenom in Colombia, and 3) implementation of production-distribution chains guaranteeing access in remote communities.

Revisión sistemática de la exactitud diagnóstica de la gota gruesa en comparación con la reacción en cadena de la polimerasa para malaria asociada al embarazo, 2010-2022 / Systematic review of the diagnostic accuracy of thick smear compared to polymerase chain reaction for pregnancy-associated malaria, 2010-2022

RESUMEN Objetivos. Evaluar la exactitud de gota gruesa (GG) frente a la reacción en cadena de la polimerasa (PCR) cuantitativa para la malaria asociada al embarazo (MAE). Materiales y métodos. Se realizó una revisión sistemática de pruebas diagnósticas en nueve bases de datos. Se evaluó la calidad metodológica con QUADAS. Se estimó sensibilidad, especificidad, cociente de probabilidad positivo (CPP) y negativo (CPN), razón de odds diagnóstica (ORD) y área bajo la curva ROC. Se determinó la heterogeneidad con el estadístico Q de Der Simonian-Laird y la incertidumbre con el porcentaje de peso de cada estudio sobre el resultado global. Resultados. Se incluyeron diez estudios con 5691 gestantes, 1415 placentas y 84 neonatos. En los estudios con nPCR (PCR anidada) y qPCR (PCR cuantitativa) como estándar, los resultados de exactitud diagnóstica fueron estadísticamente similares, con sensibilidad muy baja (50 y 54%, respectivamente), alta especificidad (99% en ambos casos), alto CPP y deficiente CPN. Usando nPCR la OR diagnóstica fue 162 (IC95%=66-401) y el área bajo la curva ROC fue 95%, mientras que con qPCR fueron 231 (IC95%=27-1951) y 78%, respectivamente. Conclusiones. Mediante un protocolo exhaustivo se demostró el bajo desarrollo de investigaciones sobre la exactitud diagnóstica de la GG en MAE. Se demostró que la microscopía tiene un desempeño deficiente para el diagnóstico de infecciones asintomáticas o de baja parasitemia, lo que afianza la importancia de implementar otro tipo de técnicas en el seguimiento y control de las infecciones por malaria en las gestantes, con el fin de lograr el control y posible eliminación de la MAE.

ABSTRACT Objective. To evaluate the accuracy of thick smear (TS) versus quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for pregnancy-associated malaria (PAM). Materials and methods. We carried out a systematic review of diagnostic tests in nine databases. Methodological quality was evaluated with QUADAS. Sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio (PLR), negative likelihood ratio (NLR), diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) and area under the ROC curve were estimated. Heterogeneity was determined with the Der Simonian-Laird Q method and uncertainty with the weighted percentage of each study on the overall result. Results. We included 10 studies with 5691 pregnant women, 1415 placentas and 84 neonates. In the studies with nested PCR (nPCR) and quantitative PCR (qPCR) as the standard, the diagnostic accuracy results were statistically similar, with very low sensitivity (50 and 54%, respectively), high specificity (99% in both cases), high PLR and poor NLR. When nPCR was used, the DOR was 162 (95%CI=66-401) and the area under the ROC curve was 95%, while with qPCR it was 231 (95%CI=27-1951) and 78%, respectively. Conclusions. We demonstrated that research on the diagnostic accuracy of TS in PAM is limited. Microscopy showed poor performance in the diagnosis of asymptomatic or low parasitemia infections, which reinforces the importance of implementing other types of techniques for the follow-up and control of malaria infections in pregnant women, in order to achieve the control and possible elimination of PAM.

Healthcare Inequities Experienced by Patients with Cancer: A Qualitative Study in Medellín, Colombia.

Purpose: This study aimed to understand the lived experiences of patients with cancer that facing inequities in oncological care in the city of Medellín. Patients and Methods: A qualitative study was conducted based on the theoretical and methodological elements of the grounded theory, specifically the description and conceptual ordering of Corbin and Strauss. Sixteen patients with cancer, who belonged to low (n=5), middle (n=4) and high (n=7) social classes, were included by theoretical sampling with category saturation. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and analyzed in a category system based on the three social classes. Results: The patients were aged between 23 and 71 years old, and they were diagnosed with different types of cancer such as breast, cervical, prostate, stomach, leukemia and lymphoma. Patients' experiences showed that diagnosis, specialized care, treatment and hospital discharge were different based on their social class. Conclusion: Patients' lived experiences associated with cancer reflect complex social situations, in which social determinants affect the level of citizens' empowerment and self-management against the risks of get disease and die. Being part of low and middle social classes meant being subjected to a dehumanized, cold, impersonal and discontinuous treatment, in which healthcare was focused on the disease instead of individuals' preferences and values. In contrast, patients belonging to the high class had the resources necessary to face risks, which ensured access to more humanized and individualized healthcare.

Prevalencia de infección por Treponema pallidum en individuos atendidos en un centro especializado de Medellín, Colombia / Prevalence of Treponema pallidum infection in individuals treated in a specialized center in Medellín, Colombia / Prevalência de infecção por Treponema pallidum em indivíduos atendidos em um centro especializado em Medellín, Colômbia

Resumen Objetivo: Describir la prevalencia de infección por Treponema pallidum en individuos atendidos en un centro especializado de Medellín, Colombia, 2019. Metodología: Estudio de corte, con 776 sujetos de población general (aparentemente sanos-asintomáticos y sin factores de riesgo para sífilis), 126 hombres que tienen sexo con hombres (hsh) y 190 jóvenes vulnerables (estrato socioeconómico bajo, desempleados y sin finalizar educación básica), captados intramural y extramuralmente en espacios de concentración de hsh y organizaciones no gubernamentales. Se empleó fuente de información primaria basada en un encuesta y prueba de detección de anticuerpos IgG, IgM e IgA específicos para T. pallidum, Resultados: La prevalencia de infección por T. pallidum fue 0,53 % en jóvenes vulnerables, 2,19 % en población general y 16,67 % en hsh. La razón de odds de infección en los sujetos con edad entre 51-60 años fue 13,8 (ic 95 % = 3,5-51,5) respecto a la hallada en los jóvenes entre 21-30 años; 12,0 (ic 95 % = 1,8-79,2) en quienes no tienen escolaridad frente a los universitarios; 3,3 (ic 95 % = 1,1-9,9) en las personas sin afiliación en salud, comparadas con las del régimen contributivo, y 8,1 (ic 95 % = 2,8-23,0) en quienes tiene relaciones sexuales con grupos clave versus quienes no refieren estas prácticas. Conclusión: Se halló una menor prevalencia de infección por T. pallidum en los jóvenes, seguida de los sujetos de población general y fue mayor en hsh. Se identificaron los grupos de mayor riesgo (entre los tres subgrupos estudiados), que incluyen sujetos excluidos de los programas de prevención, con confluencia de factores de riesgo sexual y privación socioeconómica

Abstract Objective: To describe the prevalence of Treponema pallidum infection in individuals treated in a specialized medical center in Medellín, Colombia in 2019. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted, including 776 subjects of the general population (apparently healthy-asymptomatic and without risk factors for syphilis), 126 men who have sex with men (msm) and 190 vulnerable young people (low socioeconomic strata, unemployed and low educational level) which were identified within and beyond spaces of concentration of msm and non-governmental organizations. A survey and a detection test for IgG, IgM and IgA for T. pallidum specific antibodies were used as the primary information source. Results: Prevalence of T. pallidum infection was 0.53 % in vulnerable young participants, 2.19% in the general population and 16.67 % in msm. The odds ratio of infection in subjects aged between 51 and 60 years was 13.8 (95% ci = 3.5-51.5) compared to that found in young people aged between 21 and 30 years; 12.0 (95% ci = 1.8-79.2) comparing those with low educational level to university students; 3.3 (95% ci = 1.1-9.9) for people without health insurance compared to those belonging to the contributory health insurance regime; and 8.1 (ci 95 % = 2.8- 23.0) in those who have sex with key groups versus those who do not report these practices. Conclusion: A low prevalence of T. pallidum infection was found in young participants, followed by subjects belonging to the general population and was higher in msm. Groups with the highest risk were identified (among the three subgroups studied), including subjects excluded from prevention programs, with a confluence of sexual risk factors and socioeconomic deprivation.

Resumo Objetivo: Descrever a prevalência de infecção por Treponema pallidum em indivíduos atendidos num centro especializado de Medellín, Colômbia, 2019. Metodologia: Estudo de coorte, com 776 pessoas da população em geral (aparentemente saudáveis-assintomáticos e sem fatores de risco para sífilis), 126 homens que fazem sexo com outros homens (HSH) e 190 jovens vulneráveis (classe socioeconômica baixa, desempregados e sem finalizar o ensino fundamental I e II), captados intramural e extramuralmente em espaços de concentração de HSH e organizações não governamentais. Foi usada uma fonte de informação primária baseada numa pesquisa e teste de detecção de anticorpos IgG, IgM e IgA específicos para T. pallidum. Resultados: A prevalência de infecção por T. pallidum foi de 0,53% em jovens vulneráveis, 2,19% na população geral e 16,67% em HSH. A razão de odds ratio de infecção nos indivíduos na faixa etária de 51-60 anos foi 13,8 (IC95% = 3,5-51,5) em relação a que foi encontrada nos jovens entre 21-30 anos; 12,0 (IC95% = 1,8-79,2) em quem não tem escolaridade comparada com os universitários; 3,3 (IC95% = 1,1-9,9) nas pessoas sem acesso aos serviços de saúde comparadas com as do regime contributivo, e 8,1 (IC95% = 2,8-23,0) em quem tem relações sexuais com grupos-chave vs. quem não tem estas preferências. Conclusão: Foi encontrada uma menor prevalência de infecção por T. pallidum nos jovens seguida dos indivíduos da população geral e foi maior em HSH. Foram identificados os grupos de maior risco (entre os três subgrupos estudados), que incluem sujeitos excluídos dos programas de prevenção, com confluência de fatores de risco sexual e privação socioeconômica.