ABSTRACT
Objective: Frailty is a syndrome that predisposes older individuals to adverse health outcomes, such as disability, dependence, falls, hospitalization, post-operative complications, and poor health in general. This study aimed to identify factors associated with frailty in older people with chronic diseases in Colombia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with a nonprobabilistic sample of 230 older people (aged ⩾ 60 years) from four Colombian cities. Frailty was based on Fried's phenotype (frail defined as having ⩾3 criteria). Comorbidities were classified based on Charlson's Comorbidity Index and key questionnaires for activities of daily living (ADLs) were evaluated. Results: Most were female (57.8%) with a mean ± SD age of 71.9 ± 8 years. Among them, 27.4% were frail and 58.7% were prefrail. Female gender, age ⩾ 75 years, low educational and socioeconomic level, dependence on ADLs, and cognitive impairment were associated with higher odds of prefrailty/frailty. Conclusions: Prefrailty and frailty are common among older people with chronic diseases in Colombia. This syndrome is associated with social and health-related conditions, which should be addressed when providing care for these patients.
ABSTRACT
This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to COVID-19 among Colombians. A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out during the pandemic between November 2020 and May 2021 using a survey that focused on knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding COVID-19. The online survey was completed by 1424 participants who had a history of COVID-19 illness, and the study spanned 3 months. Many respondents were male students who demonstrated adequate knowledge of COVID-19 symptoms and prevention measures, although their understanding of its transmission routes was limited. Nevertheless, 65.9% expressed optimism that COVID-19 would ultimately be successfully controlled, and 71.8% had confidence in the Colombian government's handling of the crisis. Additionally, more than half of the participants admitted to visiting crowded places, and this practice was more common among those who were less informed about COVID-19. However, many respondents reported using face masks in public. This highlights a significant gap between theoretical knowledge and actual practices that need to be addressed. To bridge this gap, establishing an interdisciplinary support network is crucial, as is launching mass education campaigns targeting specific population groups, and compiling reports on successful practices implemented during the pandemic. These efforts are essential for enhancing the overall level of knowledge, and the attitudes and practices related to COVID-19, and also for preparing for future health emergencies.
ABSTRACT
Objetivo: Determinar cuáles son los factores de riesgo asociados al género. Materiales y Métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo transversal en 566 personas afiliadas a una institución prestadora de salud en la ciudad de Barranquilla e inscritas en el Programa Muévete Corazón en el periodo comprendido de marzo a diciembre del 2011. Se indagó sobre la edad, sexo y los factores de riesgo cardiovascular, seden-Turismo, consumo de tabaco, hipertensión, índice de masa corporal (IMC), perímetro Abdominal y diagnóstico de diabetes mellitus tipo 2. Se estimaron los odds ratios (OR) Tener factores de riesgo según el sexo. Resultados: De las 566 personas, el 73,1% fueron mujeres, con una media de edad de 63,4±13,6 años. El 62,7% tenía entre dos y tres factores de riesgo. Se encontró que las mujeres tienen mayor probabilidad de Presentar de 1 a 3 y más de cuatro a factores de riesgo cardiovascular [OR 6,81 (IC 95% 2,2-22,1)] y [OR 17,0 (IC 95% 5,0-61,9)], respectivamente. Conclusión: Fue mayor la presencia de tres o más factores de riesgo en el sexo femenino, animando a implementar intervenciones eficaces para la prevención de las enfermedades cardio vasculares
