Stigmatisation associated with COVID-19 in the general Colombian population.

BACKGROUND: As the COVID-19 pandemic progresses, the fear of infection increases and, with it, the stigma-discrimination, which makes it an additional problem of the epidemic. However, studies about stigma associated with coronavirus are scarce worldwide. AIMS: To determine the association between stigmatisation and fear of COVID-19 in the general population of Colombia. METHOD: A cross-sectional study was carried out. A total of 1,687 adults between 18 and 76 years old (M = 36.3; SD = 12.5), 41.1% health workers, filled out an online questionnaire on Stigma-Discrimination and the COVID-5 Fear Scale, adapted by the research team. RESULTS: The proportion of high fear of COVID-19 was 34.1%; When comparing the affirmative answers to the questionnaire on stigma-discrimination towards COVID-19, it was found that the difference was significantly higher in the general population compared to health workers in most of the questions evaluated, which indicates a high level of stigmatisation in that group. An association between high fear of COVID-19 and stigma was evidenced in 63.6% of the questions in the questionnaire. CONCLUSION: Stigma-discrimination towards COVID-19 is frequent in the Colombian population and is associated with high levels of fear towards said disease, mainly people who are not health workers.

Consumption of Alcohol, Tobacco and Psychoactive Substances in Adolescents from an Indigenous Territory in the Colombian Amazon. / Consumo de alcohol, tabaco y sustancias psicoactivas de los adolescentes de un territorio indígena en la Amazonía colombiana.

INTRODUCTION: There are very few studies on the consumption of psychoactive substances (PAS) among young people from indigenous territories and evening or blended learning students. In Inírida, a municipality in the Colombian Amazon, there were concerns about a possible consumption issue that had never been characterised before. OBJECTIVE: To characterise the consumption of alcohol, tobacco and PAS in Inírida among teenage evening and blended learning students. METHODS: The Inter-American Uniform Drug Use Data System (SIDUC) survey developed by the Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission (CICAD) was adapted to the cultural context and carried out on 95% of 284 evening and blended learning students (262). Descriptive statistics and multiple correspondence analyses were used. RESULTS: Currently, 59% consume alcohol; 28% tobacco; 21% marijuana; 3% cocaine paste; 1% ecstasy (MDMA); 1% cocaine; and 1% inhalants. Also, 61% believe that drugs are available inside and around the vicinity of their school, and that marijuana (62%) and cocaine paste (35%) are easily acquired. Drugs are most commonly offered in neighbourhoods (56%) and at parties (30%). Those offering the highest quantity of drugs are acquaintances (35%) and friends (29%). And 51% stated that they had participated in preventive activities related to consumption. CONCLUSIONS: The population has a higher consumption of the substances studied in comparison with the national reference, that of Orinoquía and Amazonía, with the exception of cocaine and inhalants. The consumption situation was confirmed, so participatory actions are proposed.

Consumo de alcohol, tabaco y sustancias psicoactivas de los adolescentes de un territorio indígena en la Amazonía colombiana,

Introducción: Existen muy pocos estudios sobre el consumo de sustancias psicoactivas (SPA) en jóvenes de territorios indígenas y en estudiantes semipresenciales o nocturnos. En Inírida, municipio de la Amazonía colombiana, preocupaba un posible problema de consumo nunca caracterizado. Objetivo: Caracterizar el consumo de alcohol, tabaco y SPA en adolescentes de Inírida esco larizados en jornada nocturna y semipresencial. Métodos: Encuesta CICAD/SIDUC, ajustada al contexto cultural, al 95% de los 284 estudiantes de la jornada elegida (n = 262). Se utilizó estadística descriptiva y análisis de corresponden cias múltiples. Resultados: Actualmente consume alcohol el 59%; cigarrillo, el 28%; marihuana, el 21%; basuco, el 3%; éxtasis, el 1%; cocaína, el 1%, e inhalables, el 1%. El 61% considera que en el colegio y alrededores hay disponibilidad de drogas y es fácil conseguir marihuana (62%) y basuco (35%). Se ofrecen drogas con mayor frecuencia en el barrio (56%) y las fiestas (30%). Las personas que más les ofrecen drogas son conocidos (35%) y amigos (29%). El 51% manifiesta haber recibido actividades de prevención del consumo. Conclusiones: La población presenta mayor consumo de las sustancias estudiadas que el refe rente nacional y de la Orinoquía y Amazonía, excepto en cocaína e inhalables. Se corrobora la situación de consumo y se proponen acciones participativas.

Introduction: There are very few studies on the consumption of psychoactive substances (PAS) among young people from indigenous territories and evening or blended learning students. In Inírida, a municipality in the Colombian Amazon, there were concerns about a possible consumption issue that had never been characterised before. Objective: To characterise the consumption of alcohol, tobacco and PAS in Inírida among teenage evening and blended learning students. Methods: The Inter-American Uniform Drug Use Data System (SIDUC) survey developed by the Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission (CICAD) was adapted to the cul tural context and carried out on 95% of 284 evening and blended learning students (262). Descriptive statistics and multiple correspondence analyses were used. Results: Currently, 59% consume alcohol; 28% tobacco; 21% marijuana; 3% cocaine paste; 1% ecstasy (MDMA); 1% cocaine; and 1% inhalants. Also, 61% believe that drugs are available inside and around the vicinity of their school, and that marijuana (62%) and cocaine paste (35%) are easily acquired. Drugs are most commonly offered in neighbourhoods (56%) and at parties (30%). Those offering the highest quantity of drugs are acquaintances (35%) and friends (29%). And 51% stated that they had participated in preventive activities related to consumption. Conclusions: The population has a higher consumption of the substances studied in com parison with the national reference, that of Orinoquía and Amazonía, with the exception of cocaine and inhalants. The consumption situation was confirmed, so participatory actions are proposed.