Angela Segura

Quality of life in institutionalized elderly people of Medellín

INTRODUCTION Many factors contribute to the deteriorating quality of life of elderly people living in care institutions. Some of these problems are a consequence of few contacts with relatives and friends, and being alone with a feeling of isolation. OBJECTIVE The conditions of quality of life are explored for elderly people living in care institutions. MATERIALS AND METHODS In a cross sectional study, 276 subjects were selected from 39 long term institutions located in the city of Medellín, Colombia. The sex ratio was female: male 60:40% with a mean age of 79.2 ± 8.0. Elderly subjects with cognitive problems or not living in the institution were excluded. The World Health Organization Quality of Life of Older Adults (WHOQOL-OLD) questionnaire was applied; in additional, capacity and cognitive functional scales of Pfeffer, the anxiety scale of Goldberg, and the Geriatric Depression Scale of Yesavage were administered. Mininutritional assessment scales and complementary questionnaires about demographics, health perception, social support system were also included. The information was analyzed using the Mann Whitney U test, Kruskal Wallis test, Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression method. RESULTS Most (71%) considered themselves autonomous for undertaking daily, habitual activities. Other statistics included the following: 45.7% with depression, 33.0% with anxiety, 28.3% with functional problems, and 54.3% at risk of malnutrition. A negative quality-of-life assessment was associated with the following factors: female, diabetes, depression, anxiety and high functional capacity. A positive quality-of-life assessment was associated with individuals who voluntarily came to the institution. CONCLUSION Quality of life for elderly people living in care institutions can become deteriorated when they are not capable to do the usual activities necessary for daily living. Exacerbating factors included sex, symptoms of depression, anxiety, or perceived mistreatment by their families.

Cross-sectional study of HIV prevalence and the characteristics of injecting drug users in Colombia

Abstract Objective: To determine socio-demographic characteristics, prevalence and risk behaviors of HIV in injecting drug users in three cities of Colombia. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted in three cities of Colombia; information was obtained from 796 participants over 18 years of age, with prior signed informed consent. Statistical analysis of the data and generated output tables were conducted in RDSAT and SPSS. Results: There are extensive networks of injection drug users (IDUs). The population of IDUs was characterized as mostly men between 18 and 34. The data suggest a recent introduction of HIV into networks and a high degree of risk behavior for HIV spread in networks and used syringes. People who reported sharing syringes, were at greater risk of not using a condom when having sex with casual partners, this factor is increased when controlling for other variables consulted (OR = 4.10, 95% CI 1.23 to 16.05; p < 0.00). Conclusions: The data in this report indicate a high risk for a possible expansion of HIV among injecting networks, supported the introduction of HIV into networks of injectors. For Colombia, this research constitutes a first step in the search for strategies to prevent the further spreading of the infection.

Factors associated with syringe exchange among injection drug users in Colombia

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze sociodemographic factors, injection behavior, and the prevalence of hepatitis C and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among injection drug users (IDUs) in five cities of Colombia.Methods: We carried out a cross-sectional study of 1,123 people, using respondent-driven sampling (RDS). Prevalence of hepatitis C and HIV was estimated. The association between sociodemographic factors, injection behavior, and prevalence of hepatitis C and HIV syringe exchange was established, and raw and adjusted prevalence ratios were calculated.Results: Forty point three per cent of users share needles. Among IDUs, the HIV prevalence was 5.5%, and hepatitis C prevalence was 31.6%. Being male reduces the likelihood of sharing syringes. On the other hand, a secondary level of education, exchanging another part of the equipment and the increased consumption of crack are associated with syringe exchange.Conclusions: The existence of injector networks in cities of Colombia, and a lot of sharing of non-sterile and unclean injection equipment were recognized.