ABSTRACT
American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) is considered a public health problem worldwide, and incidence in Colombia is 12,000 cases per year. Colombia has implemented control programs for years which have often overlooked the social, economic, and demographic characteristics of the regions where the disease occurs. As part of an epidemiological study, this article presents the results of a survey on knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) related to leishmaniasis in rural populations in Acandí in the Colombian Darién. Qualitative and quantitative tools were used (ethnography and surveys, respectively). The results show scarce knowledge among the population on basic aspects such as recognition of the sand fly vector. There were also differences in KAP according to gender and type of population, rather than by geographic area. The study points to government neglect as a critical factor in the persistence of the disease.
Subject(s)
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous , Adult , Animals , Colombia , Female , Folklore , Geography, Medical , Humans , Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous/pathology , Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous/prevention & control , Male , Middle Aged , Neglected Diseases/pathology , Neglected Diseases/prevention & control , Qualitative Research , Socioeconomic Factors , Surveys and Questionnaires , Terminology as Topic , Young AdultABSTRACT
La leishmaniasis cutánea americana (LCA) es considerada un problema de salud pública a nivel mundial, y su incidencia en Colombia es de 12 mil casos por año. Durante años se han implementado programas de control, que frecuentemente ignoran características sociales, económicas y demográficas de las regiones afectadas. Como parte de un estudio de tipo epidemiológico, en este artículo se presentarán los resultados de un estudio sobre los conocimientos, actitudes y prácticas (CAP) frente a la leishmaniasis, que tienen las poblaciones de las zonas rurales del municipio de Acandí, en el Darién Colombiano. Para el estudio se utilizaron herramientas cualitativas como la etnografía y cuantitativas, como las encuestas dirigidas. Los resultados ponen en manifiesto el desconocimiento de la población en aspectos fundamentales como el reconocimiento del vector. Además, existen diferencias en las CAP por género y por tipo de población, pero no por su distribución geográfica. Se evidenció el abandono estatal como factor determinante en la perpetuación de la enfermedad.
American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) is considered a public health problem worldwide, and incidence in Colombia is 12,000 cases per year. Colombia has implemented control programs for years which have often overlooked the social, economic, and demographic characteristics of the regions where the disease occurs. As part of an epidemiological study, this article presents the results of a survey on knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) related to leishmaniasis in rural populations in Acandí in the Colombian Darién. Qualitative and quantitative tools were used (ethnography and surveys, respectively). The results show scarce knowledge among the population on basic aspects such as recognition of the sand fly vector. There were also differences in KAP according to gender and type of population, rather than by geographic area. The study points to government neglect as a critical factor in the persistence of the disease.
A leishmaniose tegumentar americana (LTA) é considerada um problema de saúde pública em todo o mundo, e sua incidência na Colômbia é de 12 mil casos por ano. Os programas de controle implementados muitas vezes falham, provavelmente, por ignorarem as características sociais, econômicas e demográficas das regiões onde a doença ocorre. Como parte de um estudo de tipo ecoepidemiológico, neste artigo apresentamos os resultados de um estudo sobre os Conhecimentos, Atitudes e Práticas (CAP) sobre a leishmaniose em populações rurales do município de Acandí, na região do Darien colombiano. Para o estudo foram utilizados ferramentas qualitativas como a etnografia e quantitativas como levantamentos. Os resultados indicam que a população desconhece aspectos fundamentais da LTA, como por exemplo, o vetor. Além disso, existem diferenças nos CAP por sexo e tipo de população, mas não pela área geográfica. Desta forma, a nossa abordagem evidencia a negligência dos entes públicos de saúde, encabeçados pelo governo do estado. Esta negligencia é um fator determinante na perpetuação da doença.
Subject(s)
Adult , Animals , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Young Adult , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous , Colombia , Folklore , Geography, Medical , Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous/pathology , Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous/prevention & control , Neglected Diseases/pathology , Neglected Diseases/prevention & control , Qualitative Research , Socioeconomic Factors , Surveys and Questionnaires , Terminology as TopicABSTRACT
This paper describes a pilot study assessing the psychosocial impact of political violence in the Peruvian Andes, utilizing a collaborative approach with local professionals and communities. The study team prioritized dialogue and information exchange with the local professional community and villagers participating in the assessment in order to raise awareness of psychosocial issues and provide education and support. Participation in the pilot study had positive therapeutic effects for villagers, and inspired ongoing discussion groups to address psychosocial problems in communities. This paper also describes a psychosocial assessment strategy utilizing qualitative methods and an adaptation of the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire in collaboration with Andean villagers. Usefulness and limitations of the data will be reviewed, in terms of cultural and context relevance, usefulness for informing interventions, and comparisons with ethnographic methodologies and other survey instruments.
Subject(s)
Needs Assessment , Politics , Rural Health , Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic/epidemiology , Survivors/psychology , Terrorism/psychology , Warfare , Female , Focus Groups , Humans , Interviews as Topic , Male , Mental Health , Peru/epidemiology , Pilot Projects , Residence Characteristics , Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic/physiopathology , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
Se hace la descripción, forma y método de uso de un nuevo diseño de regla para mediciones cefalográficas; asimismo se presentan varias opciones y ventajas sobre otras reglas ya existentes.