Apnea or cyanosis as COVID-19 initial presentation in newborns.

INTRODUCTION: The clinical manifestation of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection in newborns varies from asymptomatic infection to severe illness. Apnea or cyanosis as the earliest symptoms is rarely mentioned. The aim of this study is to describe the characteristics of newborns with COVID-19 infection admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit considering cyanosis or apnea as a form of presentation. METHODOLOGY: This is a descriptive observational study with retrospectively collected data. All neonates under 30 days old and preterm infants with corrected gestational age of 44 weeks who had confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection with a positive antigen or reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test and who were attended to between March 2020 and March 2022 were included. RESULTS: During the two years of the study, 410 patients were admitted to the neonatal unit. Twenty-six patients (6.3%) presented with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. The main clinical characteristic at admission was apnea in 55% and cyanosis in 45%. Of the 11 patients admitted with this presentation, eight were diagnosed with COVID-19 acute upper respiratory disease, and three met the definition of COVID-19 bronchiolitis. A large proportion of the patients had a mild infection (65%, n = 17), 31% (n = 8) had a severe infection and only one patient had a critical infection, accounting for 4%. CONCLUSIONS: Apnea and cyanosis can be a manifestation of SARS-CoV-2 infection in newborns, which suggests the need to include it in the diagnostic workup as other viral respiratory infections.

Real-life experience with fidaxomicin in Clostridioides difficile infection: a multicentre cohort study on 244 episodes.

The high cost of fidaxomicin has restricted its use despite the benefit of a lower Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) recurrence rate at 4 weeks of follow-up. This short follow-up represents the main limitation of pivotal clinical trials of fidaxomicin, and some recent studies question its benefits over vancomycin. Moreover, the main risk factors of recurrence after treatment with fidaxomicin remain unknown. We designed a multicentre retrospective cohort study among four Spanish hospitals to assess the efficacy of fidaxomicin in real life and to investigate risk factors of fidaxomicin failure at weeks 8 and 12. Two-hundred forty-four patients were included. Fidaxomicin was used in 96 patients (39.3%) for a first episode of CDI, in 95 patients (38.9%) for a second episode, and in 53 patients (21.7%) for a third or subsequent episode. Patients treated with fidaxomicin in a first episode were younger (59.9 years vs 73.5 years), but they had more severe episodes (52.1% vs. 32.4%). The recurrence rates for patients treated in the first episode were 6.5% and 9.7% at weeks 8 and 12, respectively. Recurrence rates increased for patients treated at second or ulterior episodes (16.3% and 26.4% at week 8, respectively). Age greater than or equal to 85 years and having had a previous episode of CDI were identified as recurrence risk factors at weeks 8 and 12. We conclude that the outcomes with fidaxomicin in real life are at least as good as those observed in clinical trials despite a more demanding evaluation. Be it 85 years of age or older, and the use after a first episode appears to be independent factors of CDI recurrence after treatment with fidaxomicin.

Application of Queuing Theory to Optimize the Triage Process in a Tertiary Emergency Care ("ER") Department.

CONTEXT: Time from triage to patient care is usually evaluated, but time elapsed between the arrival of patient to emergency room (ER) and triage (pretriage) is not usually measured. AIMS: The present study evaluates how the application of the queuing (or "waiting line") theory in the triage process can generate effective strategies to improve patient care in the ER. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A "before-and-after" study was conducted in the ER of the Hospital Universitario San Ignacio, a tertiary emergency care in Bogotá, Colombia. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The pretriage time was evaluated, and queuing theory was applied to the evaluation; according to the results, the number and distribution of the necessary nursing personnel were determined. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: The change in waiting times was compared using a paired t-test. RESULTS: In a first 7 months evaluation period, 89,898 patient visits were considered, with an average pretriage time of 22.15 min. According to the arrival distribution by hours and days of the week and considering the results of the calculations made using queuing theory, the number of nurses needed in the service per hour was determined for each day of the week, and schedule changes were implemented without increasing staff. In a second similar evaluation period, 94,497 patient visits were considered demonstrating a reduction of the pretriage time to 7.5 min (mean difference 14.64 min, 95% confidence interval 14.42-14.85, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The use of queuing theory in the planning of the daily personnel requirements in the triage area of ER can reduce the pretriage time by 65% without incurring additional cost.

Hernia paraesofágica mixta con mal rotación de estómago / Mixed paraesophageal hernia with bad gastric rotation

Las hernias hiatales, son defectos anatómicos en el hiato diafragmático. Las de tipo "paraesofágicas" son frecuentes, se sabe que atentan contra la vida de una manera potencial, ya que presentan un alto riesgo de complicación de vólvulo y encarcelación lo que incrementa con la edad. Objetivo: establecer una ruta diagnóstica para mejorar el abordaje clínico de esta patología. Caso Clínico: niño de 4 años, con historia de dolor abdominal de 3 meses de evolución en región mesogástrica, que se acompaña de palidez hiporexia y estreñimiento. Laboratorio: hemoglobina 4.3g/dl, hematocrito 13.9%, diagnóstico de anemia, diagnóstico por endoscopía: hernia hiatal tipo III (mixta), mal rotación de estómago. Se trató con funduplicatura Nissen y posteriormente con dilataciones esofágicas. Conclusión: La hernia hiatal es la anormalidad más frecuente del tracto digestivo alto, las de tipo paraesofágico son infrecuentes y debe ser incluida como diagnóstico diferencial en niños con repetidos episodios de infección respiratoria o vómitos a repetición. El estudio diagnóstico de elección es el esofagograma con medio de contraste.

Infección al sistema nervioso por toxocara canis en Hospital Escuela Universitario, Honduras / Nervous system infection by Toxocara Canis in the University School Hospital, Honduras

La toxocariosis es una enfermedad provocada por nematodos; actualmente se cataloga una de las zoonosis prevalentes a nivel mundial, especialmente en áreas rurales, se presenta a cualquier edad de la vida. Se presenta el primer caso publicado de neurotoxocariosis canis en Honduras. Objetivo: orientar al lector sobre el comportamiento de esta enfermedad y su sospecha clínica en paciente con contacto canino. Caso clínico: paciente masculino con 14 meses de edad, en contacto con perros de su comunidad, con historia de fiebre y convulsiones; al examen físico hepatomegalia y signo Babinski (+). Laboratorialmente presentó hipereosinofilia y en estudio de imágenes edema cerebral difuso. Se realizó ELISA por Toxocara y resultó positivo, de acuerdo al resultado se sospechó toxocariosis no clásica. Conclusión: la presentación no típica de esta enfermedad es rara, la similitud de la sintomatología con otras enfermedades hace de la práctica clínica de difícil diagnóstico. Es importante tener presente esta forma no clásica de esta enfermedad...(AU)

Social representations of human papillomavirus in Bogotá, Colombia.

Identifying DNA of Human papillomavirus (HPV) has been proposed as a new screening method for cervical cancer control. Conventionally, health education for screening programs is based on scientific information without considering any community cognitive processes. We examine HPV social representations of 124 men and women from diverse educational status living in Bogotá, Colombia. The social representation of HPV involves a series of figurative nuclei derived from meanings linked to scientific information. While women focused on symbols associated to contagion, men focused on its venereal character. Figurative nuclei also included long-term uncertainty, need or urgent treatment, and feelings of imminent death associated with cancer and chronic sexually transmitted infections. The social representation of HPV impeded many participants from clearly understanding written information about HPV transmission, clearance, and cancer risk; they are built into a framework of values, which must be deconstructed to allow women full participation in HPV screening programs.

Comprehensive evaluation of cervical cancer screening programs: the case of Colombia

OBJECTIVE: To identify critical screening program factors for reducing cervical cancer mortality in Colombia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Coverage, quality, and screening follow-up were evaluated in four Colombian states with different mortality rates. A case-control study (invasive cancer and healthy controls) evaluating screening history was performed. RESULTS: 3-year cytology coverage was 72.7 percent, false negative rate 49 percent, positive cytology follow-up 64.2 percent. There was no association between screening history and invasive cancer in two states having high cytology coverage but high false negative rates. Two states revealed association between deficient screening history and invasive cancer as well as lower positive-cytology follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Reduced number of visits between screening and treatment is more relevant when low access to health care is present. Improved quality is a priority if access to screening is available. Suitable interventions for specific scenarios and proper appraisal of new technologies are compulsory to improve cervical cancer screening. Comprehensive process-failure audits among invasive cancer cases could improve program evaluation since mortality is a late outcome.

OBJETIVO: Identificar factores críticos para reducir la mortalidad por cáncer cervical en Colombia. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se evaluó cobertura, calidad y seguimiento del tamizaje en cuatro departamentos con tasas de mortalidad diferenciales. Un estudio de casos (cáncer invasor) y controles (sanos) evaluó historia de tamizaje. RESULTADOS: Cobertura 72,7 por ciento; falsos negativos 49 por ciento; acceso a diagnóstico-tratamiento de HSIL 64,2 por ciento. La historia de tamizaje no se asoció con cáncer invasor en dos departamentos con elevada cobertura pero elevada proporción de falsos negativos. Dos departamentos con asociación entre historia de tamizaje deficiente y cáncer invasor tuvieron cobertura aceptable pero bajo acceso a diagnóstico-tratamiento. No hubo relación entre mortalidad y desempeño del programa. CONCLUSIONES: Reducir visitas entre tamizaje y tratamiento es prioritario ante bajo acceso a los servicios. Incrementar calidad es prioritario si hay adecuado acceso al tamizaje. Intervenciones y tecnologías apropiadas a cada contexto son indispensables para obtener mejores resultados. Vigilar integralmente el cáncer invasor contribuye a la evaluación de los programas por ser un desenlace más temprano que la mortalidad.

Comprehensive evaluation of cervical cancer screening programs: the case of Colombia.

OBJECTIVE: To identify critical screening program factors for reducing cervical cancer mortality in Colombia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Coverage, quality, and screening follow-up were evaluated in four Colombian states with different mortality rates. A case-control study (invasive cancer and healthy controls) evaluating screening history was performed. RESULTS: 3-year cytology coverage was 72.7%, false negative rate 49%, positive cytology follow-up 64.2%. There was no association between screening history and invasive cancer in two states having high cytology coverage but high false negative rates. Two states revealed association between deficient screening history and invasive cancer as well as lower positive-cytology follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Reduced number of visits between screening and treatment is more relevant when low access to health care is present. Improved quality is a priority if access to screening is available. Suitable interventions for specific scenarios and proper appraisal of new technologies are compulsory to improve cervical cancer screening. Comprehensive process-failure audits among invasive cancer cases could improve program evaluation since mortality is a late outcome.

[Quality of vaginal smear for cervical cancer screening: a concordance study]. / La calidad de las citologías para tamización de cáncer de cuello uterino en cuatro departamentos de Colombia: un estudio de concordancia.

INTRODUCTION: Cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the female population in Colombia. The low impact of Papanicolaou smears in reducing cervical cancer mortality in some countries has been attributed to their low reproducibility and high rates of false negatives. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the quality of the Papanicolaou smears in four regions of Colombia comparing the original report given by provincial cytologists or pathologists with a second report made by a team of expert pathologists from the Instituto Nacional de Cancerología of Colombia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A sample of 4,863 Papanicolau smears was selected by a simple stratified randomized sampling method. Three strata were defined according to the original cytological report as negative, positive and unsatisfactory. All slides were newly interpreted with Bethesda 2001 by two independent experienced pathologists blinded to the first results. Non-weighted kappa values were calculated for degree of agreement. RESULTS: Overall, the concordance between the two evaluations was very low with a kappa value of 0.03 (95% CI: 0-0.06). With regard to abnormalities in squamous cells, evaluation concordance was moderate with a value of 0.47 (95% CI: 0.41- 0.53); a trend was noted suggesting higher levels of concordance in the evaluations from the Tolima and Magdalena Provinces. CONCLUSION: Problems related with the quality of Papanicolau smears or the accurate reading thereof may be factors that explain the low impact of massive screening in cervical cancer mortality in Colombia.

[Following-up females having an abnormal Pap smear in Colombia]. / Seguimiento de mujeres con anormalidad citológica de cuello uterino, en Colombia.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluating the opportunity and access to diagnosis and treatment for females having had an abnormal Pap smear (high-grade epithelial lesion and cervical cancer) in Colombia from June 2005 to June 2006. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective appraisal using a semi-closed survey of females having had an abnormal Pap smear with high squamous intraepithelial lesions or cervical cancer living in four Colombian departments. These areas were conveniently selected according to their different mortality rates. A descriptive analysis was made and the departments differences compared. RESULTS: It was found that 27 % of females having high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion or cervical cancer had no access to any of the diagnostic or therapeutic services. Health service administration problems and clinical and cultural ones affecting the females in the study could explain such results. DISCUSSION: Follow-up care after abnormal cytology was very poor and could explain the lack of cervical cancer screening impact in Colombia and in most Latin-American countries.

Seguimiento de mujeres con anormalidad citológica de cuello uterino, en Colombia / Following-up females having an abnormal Pap smear in Colombia

Objetivo Evaluar el acceso y la oportunidad al diagnóstico y al tratamiento que tienen las pacientes con lesiones cervicales de alto grado o cáncer de acuerdo con el reporte citológico, en Colombia entre junio 2005 a junio del 2006. Metodología Estudio retrospectivo mediante encuestas a una muestra de mujeres con anormalidad citológica residentes de cuatro departamentos de Colombia seleccionados por conveniencia en relación con diferentes tasas de mortalidad. Se realizó análisis descriptivo y se compararon las diferencias entre los departamentos. Resultados El 27 por ciento de las mujeres con lesiones de alto grado o invasoras no tuvieron acceso a alguno de los servicios diagnósticos o terapéuticos por razones de tipo administrativo de los servicios de salud, razones clínicas y culturales de las mujeres. Discusión Un elemento crítico que explica el bajo impacto en la mortalidad por cáncer de cuello uterino en la mayoría de los países de Latino América es la disociación entre actividades de tamización y las de tratamiento.

Objective Evaluating the opportunity and access to diagnosis and treatment for females having had an abnormal Pap smear (high-grade epithelial lesion and cervical cancer) in Colombia from June 2005 to June 2006. Materials and Methods This was a retrospective appraisal using a semi-closed survey of females having had an abnormal Pap smear with high squamous intraepithelial lesions or cervical cancer living in four Colombian departments. These areas were conveniently selected according to their different mortality rates. A descriptive analysis was made and the departments differences compared. Results It was found that 27 percent of females having high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion or cervical cancer had no access to any of the diagnostic or therapeutic services. Health service administration problems and clinical and cultural ones affecting the females in the study could explain such results. Discussion Follow-up care after abnormal cytology was very poor and could explain the lack of cervical cancer screening impact in Colombia and in most Latin-American countries.

La oferta de servicios para tamización de cáncer de cuello uterino en Colombia / Cervical Cancer Screening Services Offered in Colombia

Objetivo: Evaluar la oferta de servicios para tamizaje y diagnóstico definitivo en Colombia como uno de los componentes que podrían explicar el bajo impacto sobre la mortalidad por cáncer de cuello uterino en el país. Métodos: Estudio descriptivo mediante encuestas a una muestra de instituciones que toman citologías y a la totalidad de laboratorios de lectura y centros de colposcopia-biopsia en cuatro departamentos de Colombia seleccionados por conveniencia. El diseño de la muestra fue probabilístico, proporcional al tamaño de los municipios, y aleatorio simple, en instituciones. Se compararon las diferencias entre los departamentos. Con base en estándares nacionales e internacionales se evaluó el cumplimiento de indicadores y criterios de calidad en términos de estructura, procesos y resultado. Resultados: Se encontró que el recurso humano parece ser suficiente, pero no se realiza seguimiento a mujeres con anormalidad citológica. Los sistemas de información son insuficientes. Se identificaron problemas en la calidad de la lectura de citologías. Las metas programáticas de cobertura se cumplen, aunque su medición no se hace teniendo en cuenta el esquema de tamización. Conclusiones: Se encuentran problemas de oferta en términos de estructura, proceso y resultado. Las deficiencias encontradas explican, en parte, el bajo impacto que se ha tenido sobre la mortalidad por cáncer de cuello uterino en Colombia. La oferta de servicios de tamizaje y diagnóstico no están estructurados como un programa organizado.

Objective: To evaluate the cervical cancer screening and definitive diagnostic services offered in Colombia as a causal factor for low impact of early detection programs on cervical cancer mortality. Methods: A descriptive study was carried out using interviews from a convenience sample of four states in Colombia. A simple random sample proportional to size of municipality was used to select institutions which collect Pap smears. All cytology laboratories and colposcopy centers were included in the four states. Differences were compared among states. As based upon national and international standards, indicator compliance and quality criteria were evaluated in terms of structure, processes and results. Results: Human resources are apparently sufficient; however, follow-up for women with abnormal cytologies has not been carried out. Information systems are insufficient. Problems in quality of cytology reading were identified. Program coverage goals are being met; however, when measured, screening schedule is not taken into account. Conclusions: Problems encountered in cervical cancer screening include structure, processes and results. These deficiencies explain, in part, the low impact that screening has had on cervical cancer in Colombia. The national screening and diagnostic services being offered are not organized into a structured program.

Efectividad de la citología cérvico-uterina para la detección temprana de cáncer de cuello uterino en el marco del sistema de salud de Colombia / Effectiveness of cytology-based cervical cancer screening in the Colombian health system

Introducción. El cáncer de cuello uterino continúa siendo la primera causa de muerte por cáncer en mujeres colombianas, a pesar de la implementación desde 1991 de la detección temprana basada en la citología. Materiales y métodos. Se realizó un estudio de casos y controles (de población), equiparado por edad y entorno social. Los casos fueron mujeres de 25 a 69 años con cáncer invasor y los controles, mujeres sin cáncer invasor. Se trabajó en cuatro departamentos como escenarios diferenciales según el nivel de organización de la detección temprana y la mortalidad por esta causa. Los casos se seleccionaron aleatoriamente de los registros de patología en cada departamento (2005). Se aplicó una encuesta sobre los factores de riesgo y la historia de las citologías en los 72 meses previos. Resultados. Se incluyeron 50 casos y 50 controles por departamento (400 sujetos). El promedio de edad fue de 48,4 años, el analfabetismo de 12,5% y las personas sin aseguramiento de 13,8%. El promedio de citologías fue más alto en los controles que en los casos (p<0,01). El porcentaje de casos con antecedente de citología fue de 49,5%. El uso de anticonceptivos y la falta de práctica de la citología estuvieron asociados con cáncer invasor (OR=2,53 y 3,54, respectivamente). Conclusiones. La citología sigue siendo efectiva en la detección temprana del cáncer de cuello uterino. La efectividad está determinada más por la calidad de la prueba que por las coberturas de población. Es necesario revisar la normatividad del país. Los estudios de casos y controles son una herramienta útil en la evaluación de programas.

Introduction. Despite the implementation of cytological screening since 1991, cervical cancer continuous to be the leading cause of cancer mortality among Colombian women. Objectives. The effectiveness of cytology-based cervical cancer screening was subjected to review in the context of the Colombian health system. Materials and methods. A case-control study was done. Invasive cervical cancer cases between 25-69 years were recruited and histopathological confirmation was required. Controls without invasive cancer were matched by age and neighborhood. Cases and controls were recruited in four Colombian provinces representing different settings for cervical cancer control with respect to program performance and mortality rates. The cases were randomly selected from the pathology in each province (year 2005). A survey of risk factors and cytology history in the previous 72 months was conducted. Results. Fifty cases and 50 controls in each department were enrolled for a total of 400 subjects. The average age was 48.4 years, illiteracy 12.5%, and persons without health insurance 13.8%. The average number of Pap-smears was higher among controls (p<0.01). Cases with a Pap-smear in the previous 36 months was nearly half (49.5%). Oral contraceptives and the lack of cytology were associated with invasive cervical cancer. Conclusions. Cytology-based screening continued to be effective for early detection of cervical cancer in Colombia but its effectiveness was determined by quality of Pap-smears rather than by screening coverage. Governmental guidelines need to be revisited. Case-control studies provided a useful tool for evaluation of the screening program.

La calidad de las citologías para tamización de cáncer de cuello uterino en cuatro departamentos de Colombia: un estudio de concordancia / Quality of vaginal smear for cervical cancer screening: a concordance study

Introducción. El cáncer de cuello uterino constituye la primera causa de muerte entre la población femenino por cáncer en Colombia. El bajo impacto que ha tenido el uso de la citología en algunos países, se ha atribuido a la baja reproducibilidad de los resultados y las altas tasas de falsos negativos.Objetivo. Evaluar la calidad de la lectura de citologías de cuello uterino en cuatro departamentos de Colombia, mediante un análisis de concordancia entre el reporte original y el reporte de un grupo de referencia conformado por patólogos expertos. Materiales y métodos. Se diseñó una muestra probabilística de citologías por medio de un muestreo aleatorio estratificado simple. Se definieron tres estratos según el reporte citológico del departamento (insatisfactorio, negativo y positivo). Todas las láminas fueron leídas de manera ciega e independiente por dos patólogos expertos y calificadas según el sistema Bethesda 2001. Se empleó el coeficiente kappa no ponderado para describir la concordancia. Resultados. La concordancia con respecto a la evaluación de la calidad de la citología fue muy baja en todos los departamentos (kappa=0,03; IC95% 0 a 0,06). La concordancia con respecto a la evaluación de anormalidades de células escamosas fue moderada (kappa=0,47; IC95% 0,41 a 0,53). Se insinuó una concordancia más alta en Tolima y Magdalena, comparada con la de Boyacá y Caldas. Conclusión. Existen problemas en la calidad de lectura de las citologías que pueden explicar el bajo impacto de la citología en la mortalidad por cáncer de cuello uterino en Colombia.

Introduction. Cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the female population in Colombia. The low impact of Papanicolaou smears in reducing cervical cancer mortality in some countries has been attributed to their low reproducibility and high rates of false negatives. Objective. To evaluate the quality of the Papanicolaou smears in four regions of Colombia comparing the original report given by provincial cytologists or pathologists with a second report made by a team of expert pathologists from the Instituto Nacional de Cancerología of Colombia.Materials and methods. A sample of 4,863 Papanicolau smears was selected by a simple stratified randomized sampling method. Three strata were defined according to the original cytological report as negative, positive and unsatisfactory. All slides were newly interpreted with Bethesda 2001 by two independent experienced pathologists blinded to the first results. Non-weighted kappa values were calculated for degree of agreement.Results. Overall, the concordance between the two evaluations was very low with a kappa value of 0.03 (95% CI: 0-0.06). With regard to abnormalities in squamous cells, evaluation concordance was moderate with a value of 0.47 (95% CI: 0.41- 0.53); a trend was noted suggesting higher levels of concordance in the evaluations from the Tolima and Magdalena Provinces.Conclusion. Problems related with the quality of Papanicolau smears or the accurate reading thereof may be factors that explain the low impact of massive screening in cervical cancer mortality in Colombia.

[Effectiveness of cytology-based cervical cancer screening in the Colombian health system]. / Efectividad de la citología cérvico-uterina para la detección temprana de cáncer de cuello uterino en el marco del sistema de salud de Colombia.

INTRODUCTION: Despite the implementation of cytological screening since 1991, cervical cancer continuous to be the leading cause of cancer mortality among Colombian women. OBJECTIVES: The effectiveness of cytology-based cervical cancer screening was subjected to review in the context of the Colombian health system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A case-control study was done. Invasive cervical cancer cases between 25-69 years were recruited and histopathological confirmation was required. Controls without invasive cancer were matched by age and neighborhood. Cases and controls were recruited in four Colombian provinces representing different settings for cervical cancer control with respect to program performance and mortality rates. The cases were randomly selected from the pathology in each province (year 2005). A survey of risk factors and cytology history in the previous 72 months was conducted. RESULTS: Fifty cases and 50 controls in each department were enrolled for a total of 400 subjects. The average age was 48.4 years, illiteracy 12.5%, and persons without health insurance 13.8%. The average number of Pap-smears was higher among controls (p<0.01). Cases with a Pap-smear in the previous 36 months was nearly half (49.5%). Oral contraceptives and the lack of cytology were associated with invasive cervical cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Cytology-based screening continued to be effective for early detection of cervical cancer in Colombia but its effectiveness was determined by quality of Pap-smears rather than by screening coverage. Governmental guidelines need to be revisited. Case-control studies provided a useful tool for evaluation of the screening program.

Cobertura de la citología cérvico-uterina y factores relacionados en cuatro departamentos de Colombia / Coverage of cervical cytology and related factors in four Departments of Colombia

Objetivo: Describir la cobertura de la citología y los principales factores con la toma ésta en las mujeres residentes en cuatro departamentos de Colombia (Boyacá, Caldas, Magdalena y Tolima), Los cuales presentan diferencias en la mortalidad por cáncer de cuello uterino y en la organización de las actividades para el control de esta enfermedaad. Materiales y métodos: Se analizó la información de la Encuesta Nacional de Demografía y Salud 2005 para las mujeres de 25 a 49 años de edad. La descripción de la cobertura y de los factores asociados se hizo por medio de porcentajes simples y se realizó un análisis multivariado utilizando un modelo de regresión logística incondicional. Resultados: los cuatro departamentos presentan adecuados niveles de cobertura de citología en los últimos tres años: 76,5 por ciento, en Boyacá, 85,3 por ciento en Caldas, 70,9 por ciento en Magdalena y 75,7 por ciento en Tolima. Los pricniplaes factores de riesgo que inciden para no realizarse la citología fueron el bajo nivel socioeconómico, la falta de afiliación al régimen de seguridad social, no tener una unión conyugal vigente y no haber tenido una consulta de salud en el último año. Conclusión: Los resultados son consistentes con los reportados en la literatura. En los cuatro departamentos es necesario realizar esfuerzos para obtener mayores coberturas en la población no afiliada y en la que pertenece al régimen subsidiado.

[Pap test coverage and related factors in Colombia, 2005]. / Cobertura de la Citología de Cuello Uterino y Factores Relacionados en Colombia, 2005.

OBJECTIVE: Describing the use of the Papanicolau (Pap) test and the main factors related to using screening amongst Colombian women aged 25 to 69 years. METHODS: Information was taken from the 2005 National Health and Demography Survey. The variable "pap test during the last three years" was calculated; coverage and related factors were described using simple percentages and multivariate analysis using conditional logistic regression. RESULTS: Recent Pap test coverage in Colombian women aged 25 to 69 years was 76.5 %. Factors associated with the absence of recent exam included non-affiliation to the health system, affiliation to the susbsidiary regimen, having no live-born children and no recent medical consultation. Factors associated with recent coverage were income level, being aged 35 to 44, a higher educational level and being pregnant. CONCLUSIONS: Results indicated the need for efforts at increasing coverage amongst the poorer population as well as amongst women from the subsidiary regimen and those having no affiliation. Persistence of high mortality in spite of acceptable coverage suggested the need for more efforts regarding definitive diagnosis and opportune treatment.

Cobertura de la Citología de Cuello Uterino y Factores Relacionados en Colombia, 2005 / Pap test coverage and related factors in Colombia, 2005

Objetivo: Describir la cobertura de la citología en los últimos tres años y los principales factores relacionados, en la población de mujeres colombianas entre 25 y 69 años de edad. Materiales y métodos: Se analizó la información de la Encuesta Nacional de Demografía y Salud 2005. Se calculó la variable "práctica de la citología en los últimos tres años". La descripción de la cobertura y factores asociados se hizo a través de porcentajes simples y se realizó un análisis multivariado utilizando un modelo de regresión logística incondicional. Resultados: La cobertura de citología reciente en mujeres entre 25 y 69 años de edad para Colombia fue de 76,5 por ciento. Las condiciones asociadas con la ausencia de toma reciente fueron ausencia de afiliación, afiliación al régimen subsidiado, no haber tenido hijos vivos ni una consulta de salud en el último año; las condiciones asociadas con la toma reciente fueron el nivel de riqueza, tener entre 35 y 44 años, tener un nivel educativo universitario o superior y estar en embarazo. Conclusión: Los resultados indican la necesidad de esfuerzos por mejorar las coberturas en la población más pobre, no afiliada y afiliada al régimen subsidiado; la alta mortalidad a pesar de la buena cobertura general sugiere la necesidad de esfuerzos en la oportunidad del diagnóstico definitivo y el manejo de lesiones.

Objective: Describing the use of the Papanicolau (Pap) test and the main factors related to using screening amongst Colombian women aged 25 to 69 years. Methods: Information was taken from the 2005 National Health and Demography Survey. The variable "pap test during the last three years" was calculated; coverage and related factors were described using simple percentages and multivariate analysis using conditional logistic regression. Results: Recent Pap test coverage in Colombian women aged 25 to 69 years was 76.5 percent. Factors associated with the absence of recent exam included non-affiliation to the health system, affiliation to the susbsidiary regimen, having no live-born children and no recent medical consultation. Factors associated with recent coverage were income level, being aged 35 to 44, a higher educational level and being pregnant. Conclusions: Results indicated the need for efforts at increasing coverage amongst the poorer population as well as amongst women from the subsidiary regimen and those having no affiliation. Persistence of high mortality in spite of acceptable coverage suggested the need for more efforts regarding definitive diagnosis and opportune treatment.

Habitus y trayectorias de riesgo: ejes articuladores en la comunicación / Habitus and risk trajectories: relevant concepts for educative

Introducción: Para el control del cáncer en Colomba, el Instituto Nacional de Cancerología ha propuesto un modelo queincluye una estrategia de comunicación educativa, la cual pretende desarrollar los conceptos de habitus y trayectorias de riesgo. Este trabajo busca validar dichos conceptos en una comunidad de un sector económica y socialmente vulnerable de Bogotá: Patio Bonito. Estudio cualitativo de tipo fenomenológico centrado en la comprensión de las representaciones sociales de salud, enfermedad y cáncer, prácticas en salud, habitus y riesgo. Se organizaron 4 grupos focales y 36 talleres a partir del enfoque de investigación, acción y participación,con mujeres, jóvenes, niños y niñas de Patio Bonito. La salud y la enfermedad se definen desde tres enfoques: curativo, preventivo y, con menor énfasis, promocional;se incluyen las experiencias sociales y condiciones productivas y reproductivas. Los itinerarios terapéuticos incluyen múltiplessistemas y cabezas médicas. Se tipifican los riesgos en controlables e incontrolables. Se identifican tres etapas para construir una trayectoria de riesgo: experimentación, decisión y prolongación. La información suministrada para la prevención de factores de riesgo de cáncer no se convierte en prácticas preventivas, al ser percibida como lejana a su realidad. El cáncer se asocia con muerte y con una lógica infectocontagiosa que se enfrenta a partir de un enfoque curativo. El habitus y las trayectorias de riesgo incluyen la historia local, social y cultural. Esto implica que las estrategiasde comunicación y educación para el control de factores de riesgo de cáncer se realicen mediante acciones multinivel.

Introduction: Cancer is a major public health problem in Colombia. The Colombian National Cancer Institute launched a framework for cancer control where educative communication plays a key role. The comunicative strategy incorporates habitus and risk trajectories as main concepts. The objective of this work was to validate these concepts in a vulnerable community in Patio Bonito-Bogotá. Materials and Methods: A phenomenological qualitative study was conducted based on the comprehension of social representations for health, disease, cancer, health practices, habitus, and risk. 36 workshops with participatory methodologies and 4 focal groups with adult women, teenagers, girls, and boys were developed. Results: Health and disease are conceptualized according to three approaches: curative, preventive, and promotional. The last is perceived as less important and includes social experiences, productive, and reproductive conditions. Multiple therapeutic itineraries were identified with different medical systems and healers. Risk was typified as controllable and uncontrollable. Three stages for the constitution of risk trajectories were identified: experimentation, decision, and prolongation. The information received about cancer prevention does not generate preventive practices because it is perceived as remote to local realities. In addition, risk cancer factors are known but perceived as far-off withdrawing the willingness for preventive practices. Cancer was associated to death and contagious thoughts in a curative approach. Conclusions: Habitus and risk trajectories include the local, social, and cultural histories. In implies the necessity for multilevel actions (personal, community, local media, and mass media) for communicative education strategies.