Effectiveness of CoronaVac and BNT162b2 COVID-19 mass vaccination in Colombia: A population-based cohort study.

Background: In February 2021, Colombia began mass vaccination against COVID-19 using mainly BNT162b2 and CoronaVac vaccines. We aimed to estimate vaccine effectiveness (VE) to prevent COVID-19 symptomatic cases, hospitalization, critical care admission, and deaths in a cohort of 796,072 insured subjects older than 40 years in northern Colombia, a setting with a high SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Methods: We identified individuals vaccinated between March 1st of 2021 and August 15th of 2021. We included symptomatic cases, hospitalizations, critical care admissions, and deaths in patients with confirmed COVID-19 as main outcomes. We calculated VE for each outcome from the hazard ratio in Cox proportionally hazards regressions (adjusted by age, sex, place of residence, diabetes, human immunodeficiency virus, cancer, hypertension, tuberculosis, neurological diseases, and chronic renal disease), with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Findings: A total of 719,735 insured participants of 40 and more years were followed. We found 21,545 laboratory-confirmed symptomatic COVID-19 among unvaccinated population, along with 2874 hospitalizations, 1061 critical care admissions, and 1329 deaths, for a rate of 207.2 per million person-days, 27.1 per million person-days, 10.0 per million person-days, and 12.5 per million person-days, respectively. We found CoronaVac was not effective for any outcome in subjects above 80 years old; but for people 40-79 years of age, we found two doses of CoronaVac reduced hospitalization (33.1%; 95% CI, 14.5-47.7), critical care admission (47.2%; 95% CI, 18.5-65.8), and death (55.7%; 95% CI, 32.5-70.0). We found BNT162b2 was effective for all outcomes in the entire population of subjects above 40 years of age, significantly declining for subjects ≥80 years. Interpretation: Two doses of either CoronaVac in population between 40 and 79 years of age, or BNT162b2 among vaccinated above 40 years old significantly reduced deaths of confirmed COVID-19 in a cohort of individuals from Colombia. Vaccine effectiveness for CoronaVac and BNT162b2 declined with increasing age. Funding: UK National Institute for Health Research, the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

La respuesta del sistema de salud colombiano en tiempos de pandemia: Una evaluación rápida desde los indicadores epidemiológicos

Este artículo describe algunas de las acciones que tomó el sistema de salud de Colombia con el fin de mejorar la capacidad de respuesta a la pandemia de COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) y corregir algunas de las fallas estructurales que amenazaban la efectividad de respuesta. También se presenta la evolución de algunos marcadores epidemiológicos del impacto de la pandemia, entre marzo de 2020 y septiembre de 2021, los cuales pueden ayudar a entender si las medidas tomadas pudieron mitigar o no el impacto de la pandemia. Entre las acciones que más podrían influir sobre los desenlaces epidemiológicos (casos y muertes) de la pandemia, podemos destacar el aumento del número de camas de la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos (de 5 000 a 11 000, aproximadamente) y las gestiones realizadas para adquirir vacunas en un mercado internacional fuertemente competido y que prefería proveer vacunas a los países industrializados primero que a los menos desarrollados. Pese a esos esfuerzos, las draconianas medidas de aislamiento y la suspensión de muchas actividades económicas, durante el periodo de estudio, Colombia fue uno de los 15 países con mayor mortalidad en el mundo y más de 60% de la población se infectó después de la primera onda pandémica. Lo anterior sugiere una baja efectividad de los esfuerzos realizados para fortalecer el sistema de salud.

This article describes some of the actions taken by the Colombian health system in order to improve the response capacity to the COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic and correct some of the structural failures of the system that threatened the effectiveness of the response. The evolution of some epidemiological markers of the impact of the pandemic is also presented, between March 2020 and September 2021, which can help to understand whether the measures taken could mitigate the impact of the pandemic or not. Among the actions that could most influence the epidemiological outcomes (cases and deaths) of the pandemic, we can highlight the increase in the number of Intensive Care Unit beds (from 5 000 to 11 000 approximately) and the steps taken to acquire vaccines in a highly competitive international market which preferred to provide vaccines first to industrialized countries than to less developed ones. Despite these efforts, the draconian isolation measures, and the suspension of many economic activities, during the study period, Colombia was one of the 15 countries with the highest mortality in the world and more than 60% of the population became infected after the first wave of the pandemic. This suggests a low effectiveness of the efforts made to strengthen the health system.

Factores asociados a la susceptibilidad al consumo de cigarrillo en escolares de 10 y 11 años en Cartagena, Colombia / Factors associated with susceptibility to cigarette consumption in 10 and 11 year old school students from Cartagena, Colombia

RESUMEN Objetivo Determinar los factores asociados a la susceptibilidad al consumo de cigarrillo en escolares de 10 y 11 años de sexto grado de la ciudad de Cartagena, Colombia. Método Se realizó un estudio analítico observacional transversal, con una muestra no probabilística por conveniencia de 289 escolares de 10 y 11 años de sexto grado de colegios públicos de Cartagena, Colombia. La información se recolectó a través de la ficha demográfica, la escala de susceptibilidad a la persuasión hacia el consumo, la escala Apgar familiar, Rosenberg para autoestima y la escala Zung de ansiedad, y el inventario de consumo de cigarrillo y actitudes frente al mismo de acuerdo con la Encuesta Mundial Sobre Tabaquismo en jóvenes (Emtajoven). Resultados Participaron 289 estudiantes, media para la edad 10,9 (DE=0,2); 157 (54,3%) fueron mujeres y 132 (45,7%) fueron hombres. La frecuencia de experimentación con cigarrillo alguna vez en la vida fue 20 (6,9%) y la alta susceptibilidad al consumo de cigarrillo fue 61 (21,1%). Los factores que se asociaron a alta susceptibilidad a la persuasión para consumo de cigarrillo fueron: ser del sexo masculino (OR de 2,8; IC95%: 1,6-5,1), disfunción familiar (OR: 2,3; IC95%: 1,2-4,2) y haber fumado alguna vez en la vida (OR: 3,4; IC95%: 1,3-8,7). Conclusiones La susceptibilidad al consumo de cigarrillo en estudiantes de sexto grado se asoció al sexo masculino, la disfuncionalidad familiar y haber fumado alguna vez en la vida.(AU)

ABSTRACT Objective To determine associated factors to susceptibility to smoking in school students between 10 and 11 years old from Cartagena, Colombia. Method A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted with a nonrandom convenience sample of 289 students between 10 and 11 years old of sixth-grade from public schools in Cartagena, Colombia. The information was collected through the demographic profile, the scale of susceptibility to persuasion towards consumption, the family Apgar scale, Rosenberg for self-esteem and Zung anxiety scale, and the smoking use inventory together with the attitudes on it, according to the Encuesta Mundial Sobre Tabaquismo en jóvenes (Emtajoven). Results 289 students, mean age 10,9 (SD = 0,25) participated, 157 (54,3%) were women and 132 (45,7%) were men. The frequency of cigarette consumption for at least once in their lives was 20 (6,9%), and the high persuasion susceptibility was 61 (21,1%). Factors associated with high persuasion susceptibility to smoking cigarette were: being male (OR: 2,8 and CI 95% 1,6 to 5,1), family dysfunction (OR: 2,3 CI 95% 1,2 to 4.2) and having ever smoked once in life (OR 3,4 CI 95% 1,3 to 8,7). Conclusions Susceptibility to smoking among students of 6th grade is associated with being male, family dysfunction and having ever smoked in life.(AU)

Individual and climate factors associated with acute respiratory infection in Colombian children.

The objective of this study was to examine the association between acute respiratory infection recall (ARI-recall) and individual and environmental factors such as climate, precipitation, and altitude above sea level in Colombian children. A secondary analysis of 11,483 Colombian children, whose mothers were interviewed in the 2010 National Demographic and Health Survey, was carried out. The outcome variable was the mother's or caregiver's ARI-recall. The independent variables were expressed at individual, cluster, and municipal levels. At the individual level, we considered health and individual characteristics of the children; at cluster level, we incorporated the altitude above sea level; and at the municipal level, we included precipitation and annual average climate. The association between ARI-recall and independent variables was assessed using a multilevel logistic regression model. ARI-recall was significantly associated with age (OR = 0.61; 95%CI: 0.48-0.79), belonging to an indigenous group (OR = 1.51; 95%CI: 1.16-1.96), and a medium or very poor wealth index (OR = 2.03; 95%CI: 1.25-3.30 and OR = 1.75; 95%CI: 1.08-2.84, respectively). We found interaction between acute child malnutrition and average annual precipitation. Children with acute malnutrition and from municipalities with high annual precipitation had significantly 3.6-fold increased risk of ARI-recall (OR = 3.6; 95%CI: 1.3-10.1). Individual conditions and precipitation are risk factors for ARI-recall in Colombian children. These results could be useful to understand ARI occurrence in children living in tropical countries with similar characteristics.

Individual and climate factors associated with acute respiratory infection in Colombian children / Factores individuales y climáticos asociados a la infección respiratoria aguda en niños colombianos / Fatores individuais e climáticos associados à infecção respiratória aguda em crianças colombianas

The objective of this study was to examine the association between acute respiratory infection recall (ARI-recall) and individual and environmental factors such as climate, precipitation, and altitude above sea level in Colombian children. A secondary analysis of 11,483 Colombian children, whose mothers were interviewed in the 2010 National Demographic and Health Survey, was carried out. The outcome variable was the mother's or caregiver's ARI-recall. The independent variables were expressed at individual, cluster, and municipal levels. At the individual level, we considered health and individual characteristics of the children; at cluster level, we incorporated the altitude above sea level; and at the municipal level, we included precipitation and annual average climate. The association between ARI-recall and independent variables was assessed using a multilevel logistic regression model. ARI-recall was significantly associated with age (OR = 0.61; 95%CI: 0.48-0.79), belonging to an indigenous group (OR = 1.51; 95%CI: 1.16-1.96), and a medium or very poor wealth index (OR = 2.03; 95%CI: 1.25-3.30 and OR = 1.75; 95%CI: 1.08-2.84, respectively). We found interaction between acute child malnutrition and average annual precipitation. Children with acute malnutrition and from municipalities with high annual precipitation had significantly 3.6-fold increased risk of ARI-recall (OR = 3.6; 95%CI: 1.3-10.1). Individual conditions and precipitation are risk factors for ARI-recall in Colombian children. These results could be useful to understand ARI occurrence in children living in tropical countries with similar characteristics.

El objetivo del estudio fue examinar la asociación entre el historial de infección respiratoria aguda (IRA) y factores individuales y ambientales, tales como clima, precipitación y altitud por encima del nivel del mar en niños colombianos. Se realizó un análisis secundario de datos de 11.483 niños colombianos, cuyas madres fueron entrevistadas por la Encuesta Nacional de Demografía y Salud de 2010. La variable dependiente era el historial de IRA informado por la madre o cuidador(a). Las variables independientes se expresaron en el nivel individual, de clúster y municipal. En el nivel individual, consideramos las características individuales y de salud de los niños; en nivel de clúster, incorporamos la altitud sobre el nivel del mar y, en nivel municipal, incluimos la precipitación y el clima medio anual. La asociación entre el historial de IRA y las variables independientes se evaluaron con un modelo de regresión logística multinivel. El historial de IRA mostró una asociación significativa con la edad (OR = 0,61; IC95%: 0,48-0,79), pertenecer a un grupo indígena (OR = 1,51; IC95%: 1,16-1,96) y al estrato socioeconómico médio o muy bajo (OR = 2,03; IC95%: 1,25-3,30 y OR = 1,75; IC95%: 1,08-2,84, respectivamente). Identificamos una interacción entre la desnutrición infantil aguda y la precipitación anual promedio. Los niños con desnutrición aguda y aquellos de municipios con precipitaciones anuales altas mostraron un riesgo significativo 3,6 veces mayor de historial de IRA (OR = 3,6; IC95%: 1,3-10,1). Las condiciones individuales y la precipitación son factores de riesgo para el historial de IRA en niños colombianos. Los resultados pueden ser útiles para comprender la ocurrencia de IRA en niños que viven en países tropicales con características semejantes.

O estudo teve como objetivo examinar a associação entre história de infecção respiratória aguda (IRA) e fatores individuais e ambientais tais como clima, precipitação e altura acima do nível do mar em crianças colombianas. Foi realizada uma análise secundária dos dados de 11.483 crianças colombianas cujas mães foram entrevistadas pela Pesquisa Nacional de Demografia e Saúde de 2010. A variável dependente era história de IRA informada pela mãe ou cuidador(a). As variáveis independentes foram expressas em nível individual, de cluster e municipal. No nível individual, consideramos as características individuais e de saúde das crianças; em nível de cluster, incorporamos a altitude acima do nível do mar e em nível municipal, incluímos a precipitação e o clima médio anual. A associação entre história de IRA e variáveis independentes foi avaliada com um modelo de regressão logística multinível. A história de IRA mostrou associação significativa com idade (OR = 0,61; IC95%: 0,48-0,79), pertencer a grupo indígena (OR = 1,51; IC95%: 1,16-1,96) e estrato socioeconômico médio ou muito baixo (OR = 2,03; IC95%: 1,25-3,30 e OR = 1,75; IC95%: 1,08-2,84, respectivamente). Identificamos interação entre desnutrição infantil aguda e precipitação anual média. As crianças com desnutrição aguda e aquelas de municípios com precipitação anual alta mostraram um risco significativo 3,6 vezes maior de história de IRA (OR = 3,6; IC95%: 1,3-10,1). As condições individuais e a precipitação são fatores de risco para história de IRA em crianças colombianas. Os resultados podem ser úteis para compreender a ocorrência de IRA em crianças vivendo em países tropicais com características semelhantes.

Relaciones entre los comportamientos de riesgo psicosociales y la familia en adolescentes de Suba, Bogotá / Relationships between psychosocial risk behavior and the family in adolescents' from Suba, an urban area in Bogotá

Objetivo Estimar las relaciones entre los comportamientos de riesgo de la población adolescente y la familia en torno a la estructura y la percepción de funcionalidad. Metodología Estudio observacional de corte transversal entre 12 302 adolescentes (10 a 19 años de edad), estudiantes de 12 colegios públicos de la localidad de Suba en el año 2006. Se aplicó una encuesta autodiligenciada donde se interrogó por comportamientos sexuales, adictivos, depresivos, violentos y de trastornos de conducta alimentaria. Resultados Se encontró una prevalencia de buena función familiar de 63 por ciento y de disfunción familiar severa del 7 por ciento. La disfunción severa aumentó la prevalencia de comportamientos violentos (OR de 4,1 con IC de 95 por ciento 3,4-4,7), trastornos de conducta alimentaria (OR 2,3 con IC de 95 por ciento de 1,9 - 2,8) y relaciones sexuales (OR de 2 con IC de 95 por ciento de 1,7-2,4). Por el contrario, la composición de la familia (presencia o no de ambos padres) no mostró relación con comportamientos violentos. Conclusiones La disfunción familiar se asocia a una mayor frecuencia de conductas de riesgo en los adolescentes de bajo estrato socioeconómico en Bogotá. La relación más fuerte se observa entre violencia y familia.

Objective Assessing the relationship between adolescents' high-risk behaviour and family dynamics regarding structure and perception of family functionality. Methodology A cross-sectional, observational study was carried out on a population of 12,302 adolescents ranging in age from 10 to 19 years attending 12 public schools in the urban area of Suba (Bogota). A self-assessment questionnaire was administered, focusing on sexual behaviour, addiction, depression, violent behaviour and eating disorders. Results There was 63 percent prevalence regarding good family function and 7 percent prevalence concerning severe family dysfunction; comparing these with high-risk behaviour revealed a relationship with violent behaviour (4.1 OR, 3.4-4.7 95 percentCI), eating disorders (2.3 OR, 1.9-2.8 95 percentCI) and sexual relationships (2.0 OR, 1.7-2.4 95 percentCI). Conclusions Family dysfunction was found to be more frequently associated with high-risk behaviour in adolescents from low socioeconomic strata in Bogota than that found to derive from family structure. The strongest relationship was observed between violence and family.