Seasonal and Temporal Patterns of Homicides and Suicides in Cali and Manizales, Colombia: A Times-Series Analysis 2008-2015.

OBJECTIVE: To identify seasonal and temporal variations in daily incidence of homicides and suicides in Cali and Manizales, Colombia during 2008-2015. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An ecological time series study was performed using negative binomial regression models for daily incidence of homicides and suicides; analyses were controlled for yearly trends and temporal autocorrelations. RESULTS: Saturdays, Sundays, December holidays as well as New Year and New Year's Eve were associated with an increased risk of homicides in both cities. Suicide risk increased during December holidays and New Year in both cities. In addition, the suicide risk increased on paydays, Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays in Cali, and it decreased during the Holy Week holidays in Manizales. December patterns of suicides and homicides are the opposite in each city, and between cities. CONCLUSIONS: The incidences of homicides and suicides are not homogeneous over time. These patterns can be explained partially by alcohol consumption and changes in people's routine activities which may modify exposure to violent circumstances.

Indigenous communities in Colombia: A cultural and holistic view of cancer management.

Cancer is one of the most burdening global health challenges. Indigenous communities are at high risk for worse healthcare outcomes because of inequalities in the incidence, prevalence, and mortality of oncological diseases, that arise from socioeconomic, racial, cultural, religious beliefs, and ethnic factors. Their perception about themselves is closely related to what affects their territory, making them possess a profound rooted feeling with their surroundings, and intense spiritual believes. Consequently, the disease process is linked to physical and emotional imbalances and alterations in their territory. Researchers from the United States, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia have worked diligently to learn about barriers to cancer management among these populations. Unfortunately, robust cancer data is lacking for most of the world's Indigenous, leading to obstacles in information systems and consequently, inequities in healthcare with the perpetuation of the problem. Therefore, a better understanding of cancer as a global health problem is required. Our study aims to propose a holistic and culturally adapted framework to improve cancer health services and outcomes among Indigenous peoples in Colombia.

Performance of a Likert adaptation of the SRQ-20 scale among women victims of intimate partner violence in Colombia: an exploratory study.

Women who are victims of intimate partner violence often suffer of depression and anxiety disorders. We evaluated the performance of the SRQ-20 scale (screening test for common mental health disorders), in women victims of intimate partner violence by male partners. A total of 100 women were surveyed from the out-patient mental health services in four health institutions in Valle del Cauca (Colombia). SRQ-20 scales (Binary version versus Likert version) were compared with mental health diagnoses based on the HSCL-25 scale, as the gold standard. Optimal SRQ-20 cut-off score is > = 6 points; lower than the initially suggested, sensitivity of 96.6% and specificity of 90.9%. The new SRQ-20-Likert scale, establishing a cut-off of > = 8 points, shows better sensitivity (98.9%) and equal specificity than the original scale. Studied SRQ-20 scales are promising instruments for screening mental health disorders among women victims of intimate partner violence in primary health care settings.

Effectiveness of Hydrotherapy on Neuropathic Pain and Pain Catastrophization in Patients With Spinal Cord Injury: Protocol for a Pilot Trial Study.

BACKGROUND: Neuropathic pain (NP) is one of the most frequent spinal cord injury (SCI) complications. Pain, quality of life, and functionality are associated and can lead to pain catastrophization. Pharmacological management of patients with NP secondary to SCI is widely known and there is increasing evidence in the area. Nevertheless, nonpharmacological management is not fully elucidated since its efficacy is inconclusive. OBJECTIVE: We hypothesize that (1) hydrotherapy is effective in reducing NP secondary to SCI. Additionally, our secondary hypotheses are that (2) hydrotherapy decreases the catastrophization of NP, and that (3) hydrotherapy improves life quality and minimizes the degree of disability, when compared to physical therapy. METHODS: A sample of approximately 20 participants will be randomly assigned to either the intervention (hydrotherapy) or control group (standard physical therapy). Both interventions will be administered twice a week over a 9-week period (18 sessions in total). Primary outcomes are changes in neuropathic pain perception and pain catastrophization. Secondary outcomes are changes in disability and quality of life scores. They will be assessed at baseline and follow-up at 4 weeks after discharge. Validated Spanish language scales that will be used are the following: Numerical Pain Rating Scale, Pain Catastrophization, Health-related Quality of life, and the World Health Organization's Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0. Generalized mixed linear models will be used for comparing baseline and postintervention means of each group and their differences, together with 95% CIs and P values. A P value of less than .05 will be considered significant. RESULTS: Recruitment began in April 2019, and we recruited the last participants by December 2019, with 10 individuals assigned to hydrotherapy and 8 to physical therapy (control). Results from this study will be disseminated via scientific publication, in ClinicalTrials.gov, and in national and international conferences in the latter half of 2022. CONCLUSIONS: This trial will explore the effects of hydrotherapy on neuropathic pain, together with functionality and quality of life, in patients with SCI. Furthermore, this study aims to evaluate these therapeutic modalities, including perception variables, and mental processes, which may affect the clinical condition and rehabilitation outcomes in these patients. Hydrotherapy is likely to be a safe, efficient, and cost-effective alternative to the current standard of care for NP secondary to SCI, with comparable results between the two. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04164810; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04164810. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/37255.

A qualitative study on factors associated with intimate partner violence in Colombia.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a human rights violation and a serious global public health problem. This study investigated factors associated with IPV in female survivors in Colombia. Four focus group discussions with female survivors of IPV and 15 key informant interviews with professionals from psychological, social and legal services and community leaders were conducted in Cali and Tuluá. Participant recruitment was via purposive sampling. Transcripts were analysed manually taking a social constructivist standpoint and a content analysis approach. Factors associated with IPV were divided into four themes: cultural beliefs, jealousy, alcohol abuse, and personal history of IPV. The first theme was divided into: patriarchy, gender roles, normalisation of violence, and unawareness of rights, economic dependence, and 'men own women'. The sub-themes were all inter-related and underpinned by patriarchal values. IPV was described as a sociocultural construction formed by patriarchal values ingrained in community and societal norms and individual processes. Therefore, academia, governmental and non-governmental bodies and society are urged to together, create preventative, context specific strategies for individuals, communities and societies.

A qualitative study on factors associated with intimate partner violence in Colombia

Abstract Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a human rights violation and a serious global public health problem. This study investigated factors associated with IPV in female survivors in Colombia. Four focus group discussions with female survivors of IPV and 15 key informant interviews with professionals from psychological, social and legal services and community leaders were conducted in Cali and Tuluá. Participant recruitment was via purposive sampling. Transcripts were analysed manually taking a social constructivist standpoint and a content analysis approach. Factors associated with IPV were divided into four themes: cultural beliefs, jealousy, alcohol abuse, and personal history of IPV. The first theme was divided into: patriarchy, gender roles, normalisation of violence, and unawareness of rights, economic dependence, and 'men own women'. The sub-themes were all inter-related and underpinned by patriarchal values. IPV was described as a sociocultural construction formed by patriarchal values ingrained in community and societal norms and individual processes. Therefore, academia, governmental and non-governmental bodies and society are urged to together, create preventative, context specific strategies for individuals, communities and societies.

Resumo A violência por parceiro íntimo (VPI) é uma violação dos direitos humanos e um grave problema de saúde pública global. Este estudo investigou fatores associados à VPI em mulheres sobreviventes na Colômbia. Quatro discussões de grupos focais com mulheres sobreviventes de VPI e 15 entrevistas com informantes-chave com profissionais de serviços sócio-médico-legais foram realizadas usando amostragem intencional nas cidades de Cali e Tuluá. As transcrições foram analisadas manualmente, sob um ponto de vista construtivista social e uma abordagem de análise de conteúdo. Os fatores associados à VPI foram divididos em 4 temas: crenças culturais, ciúmes, abuso de álcool e história pessoal da VPI. O primeiro tema foi dividido em: patriarcado, papéis de gênero, normalização da violência, desconhecimento de direitos, dependência econômica e 'homens possuem mulheres'. VPI foi descrita como uma construção sociocultural formada por valores patriarcais e processos individuais. A VPI é causada por uma complexa interação de diferentes fatores nos níveis do indivíduo, relacionamentos, comunidade e social. Os órgãos governamentais e não governamentais e a sociedade são instados a criar juntos estratégias preventivas e específicas no contexto.

Perceptions about implementation of a Narrative Community-based Group Therapy for Afro-Colombians victims of Violence.

Given the context and the number of armed conflict victims in the Colombian Pacific coast and their difficulties to access psycho-social care, Narrative Community-based Group Therapy appears as a viable mental health intervention. The objective of this study is to describe the process of implementation and results of the intervention in Afro-Colombian victims of violence, in the municipalities of Buenaventura and Quibdó. More specifically, we will be looking at the perspectives of workers and supervisors, through evaluative case studies and individual in-depth interviews. The therapy allows us to identify support and coping systems through coexistence, communication and interaction. It requires an adaptation process to the diversity of knowledge and expressions of victims of Colombian violence, greater empathy from care providers and rigor in their profiles selection, facilities ensuring security and confidentiality, and links with other educational, employment and recreational organizations. It is important to include these results while improving current and future intervention processes.

Do not forget culture when implementing mental health interventions for violence survivors.

Armed conflict has positioned Colombia as the country with the second highest internal displacement of citizens. This situation has forced government projects and international cooperation agencies to intervene to mitigate the impact of violence; however, the coping strategies implemented by the country's minorities are still unknown. The study objective is to describe the coping strategies and their relation with mental health within Afro-descendant culture in Colombia and the effects that armed conflict has on these coping mechanisms, through a phenomenological study involving focus groups and interviews with experts. Rituals and orality have a healing function that allow Afro-Colombian communities to express their pain and support each other, enabling them to cope with loss. Since the forced displacement, these traditions have been in jeopardy. Armed conflict prevents groups from mourning, generating a form of latent pain. Afro-Colombians require community interventions that create similar spaces for emotional support for the bereaved persons in the pre-conflict period. Thus, it is essential to understand the impact of this spiritual and ritualistic approach on mental health issues and the relevance of narrative and community interventions for survivors.

Perceptions about implementation of a Narrative Community-based Group Therapy for Afro-Colombians victims of Violence / Percepções sobre a implementação de uma Terapia Narrativa grupal baseada na Comunidade para afro-colômbianos vítima da Violência

Abstract Given the context and the number of armed conflict victims in the Colombian Pacific coast and their difficulties to access psycho-social care, Narrative Community-based Group Therapy appears as a viable mental health intervention. The objective of this study is to describe the process of implementation and results of the intervention in Afro-Colombian victims of violence, in the municipalities of Buenaventura and Quibdó. More specifically, we will be looking at the perspectives of workers and supervisors, through evaluative case studies and individual in-depth interviews. The therapy allows us to identify support and coping systems through coexistence, communication and interaction. It requires an adaptation process to the diversity of knowledge and expressions of victims of Colombian violence, greater empathy from care providers and rigor in their profiles selection, facilities ensuring security and confidentiality, and links with other educational, employment and recreational organizations. It is important to include these results while improving current and future intervention processes.

Resumo Dado o contexto e os números das vítimas de conflitos armado na costa do Pacífico da Colômbia, e as dificuldades de acesso aos cuidados psicossociais, a Terapia Narrativa de grupo Baseado na Comunidade aparece como uma intervenção de saúde mental viável. O objetivo do estudo é descrever o processo de implementação e os resultados da intervenção em vítimas afro-colombianas de violência, nos municípios de Buenaventura e Quibdó - Colômbia, a partir da perspectiva de trabalhadores e supervisores, através de estudos de avaliação e entrevistas em profundidade individuais. A terapia permite a identificação sistemas de apoio para o enfrentamento e o luto e através de convivência, comunicação e interação. Ele requer um processo de adaptação à diversidade necessária de conhecimento e expressões populares de vítimas da violência colombiana, maior empatia por parte dos prestadores de cuidados e rigor na seleção de seus perfis, instalações para garantir a segurança e confidencialidade, e links para outras organizações educacionais, trabalho e lazer. É importante incluir esses resultados na melhoria da intervenção processo atual e futuro.

Do not forget culture when implementing mental health interventions for violence survivors / Não se esqueça da cultura quando for implementar intervenções mentais em saúde para sobreviventes da violência

Abstract Armed conflict has positioned Colombia as the country with the second highest internal displacement of citizens. This situation has forced government projects and international cooperation agencies to intervene to mitigate the impact of violence; however, the coping strategies implemented by the country's minorities are still unknown. The study objective is to describe the coping strategies and their relation with mental health within Afro-descendant culture in Colombia and the effects that armed conflict has on these coping mechanisms, through a phenomenological study involving focus groups and interviews with experts. Rituals and orality have a healing function that allow Afro-Colombian communities to express their pain and support each other, enabling them to cope with loss. Since the forced displacement, these traditions have been in jeopardy. Armed conflict prevents groups from mourning, generating a form of latent pain. Afro-Colombians require community interventions that create similar spaces for emotional support for the bereaved persons in the pre-conflict period. Thus, it is essential to understand the impact of this spiritual and ritualistic approach on mental health issues and the relevance of narrative and community interventions for survivors.

Resumo O conflito armado posiciona a Colômbia como o país com o segundo maior deslocamento interno em todo o mundo. Esta situação obrigou projetos do governo e agências de cooperação internacional a intervir; no entanto, as estratégias de enfrentamento implementadas por minorias do país ainda são desconhecidas. O objetivo do estudo é descrever as estratégias de enfrentamento e sua relação com a saúde mental dentro da cultura afro-descendente na Colômbia e os efeitos que o conflito armado tem sobre esses mecanismos de enfrentamento, por meio de um estudo fenomenológico envolvendo grupos focais e entrevistas com especialistas. Rituais e oralidade têm uma função de cura que permite que as comunidades afro-colombianas para expressar sua dor e apoiar uns aos outros, permitindo-lhes lidar com a perda. Em razão do deslocamento forçado, essas tradições têm estado em perigo; o conflito armado impede-os de realizar o luto, gerando uma forma de dor latente. Elas exigem intervenções comunitárias que criem espaços de apoio emocional para as pessoas enlutadas similares aos do período pré-conflito. Assim, é essencial compreender o impacto dessa abordagem ritualista em questões de saúde mental, bem como a pertinência das intervenções comunitárias e narrativa para os sobreviventes.

Common Elements Treatment Approach based on a Cognitive Behavioral Intervention: implementation in the Colombian Pacific.

Due to the limited supply of mental health services for Afro-Colombian victims of violence, a Common Elements Treatment Approach (CETA) intervention has been implemented in the Colombian Pacific. Given the importance of improvement in mental health interventions for this population, it is necessary to characterize this process. This article seeks to describe the implementation of CETA for Afro-Colombian victims of violence in Buenaventura and Quibdó, Colombia through case studieswith individual in-depth interviews with Lay Psychosocial Community Workers (LPCW), supervisors, and coordinators responsible for implementing CETA. From this six core categories were obtained: 1. Effect of armed conflict and poverty 2. Trauma severity 3. Perceived changes with CETA 4. Characteristics and LPCW's performance 5. Afro-Colombian culturalapproach and 6. Strategies to promote users' well-being.Colombian Pacific's scenario implies several factors, such as the active armed conflict, economic crisis, and lack of mental health care resources, affecting the implementation process and the intervention effects. This implies the need to establish and strengthen partnerships between institutions in order to administer necessary mental health care for victims of violence in the Colombian Pacific.

Common Elements Treatment Approach based on a Cognitive Behavioral Intervention: implementation in the Colombian Pacific / Abordagem de Tratamento de Elementos Comuns com base em uma Terapia Cognitiva de Conduta: realização no Pacífico Colombiano

Abstract Due to the limited supply of mental health services for Afro-Colombian victims of violence, a Common Elements Treatment Approach (CETA) intervention has been implemented in the Colombian Pacific. Given the importance of improvement in mental health interventions for this population, it is necessary to characterize this process. This article seeks to describe the implementation of CETA for Afro-Colombian victims of violence in Buenaventura and Quibdó, Colombia through case studieswith individual in-depth interviews with Lay Psychosocial Community Workers (LPCW), supervisors, and coordinators responsible for implementing CETA. From this six core categories were obtained: 1. Effect of armed conflict and poverty 2. Trauma severity 3. Perceived changes with CETA 4. Characteristics and LPCW’s performance 5. Afro-Colombian culturalapproach and 6. Strategies to promote users’ well-being.Colombian Pacific’s scenario implies several factors, such as the active armed conflict, economic crisis, and lack of mental health care resources, affecting the implementation process and the intervention effects. This implies the need to establish and strengthen partnerships between institutions in order to administer necessary mental health care for victims of violence in the Colombian Pacific.

Resumo Devido à carência de serviços em saúde mental destinados aos Afro-colombianos vítimas de violência, a intervenção CETA (Common Elements Treatment Approach) foi implementada no pacífico da Colômbia. Dada a importância em melhorar essas intervenções, é necessário caracterizar o seu processo de execução. O objetivo deste artigo é descrever a realização da intervenção CETA para Afro-colombianos vítimas de violência em Buenaventura e Quibdó, Colômbia. Trata-se de estudo de caso com elaboração de entrevistas aprofundadas a Trabalhadores Comunitários Psicossociais (TCP), supervisores e coordenadores responsáveis pela execução CETA. Obtiveram-se seis categorias Núcleo: 1. Efeito do conflito armado e pobreza; 2. Severidade do trauma; 3. Mudanças percebidas com a intervenção CETA; 4. Características e desempenho dos TCP; 5. Enfoque na cultura Afro-colombiana; e 6. Estratégias para promover bem estar dos usuários. O contexto do pacífico colombiano está relacionado a múltiplos fatores, como o conflito armado ativo, crise econômica, e carência de serviços em saúde mental, afetando o processo de implementação e seus efeitos. Isto gera a necessidade de fortalecimento e estabelecimento de alianças institucionais, visando garantir a saúde mental das vítimas dessa região.