María Isabel Gutiérrez-Martínez

The evaluation of a surveillance system for violent and non-intentional injury mortality in Colombian cities

Since 2002, the Institute for Peace Promotion and Injury/Violence Prevention (CISALVA) at the Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia and the Colombia Program at Georgetown University have developed and implemented 21 epidemiologically based municipal crime observatories in intermediate-sized municipalities in Colombia. These crime observatories serve as monitoring centres that provide low cost, geo-referenced methods of data collection and analysis, which allow cities to develop more responsive policies and prevention programmes and enhance governance. This article focuses on the methodology employed and lessons learned that may be applicable to similar settings. Worth noting within the results was a significant decrease in homicides after the first year of the programme. Whether or not such results could be attributed to the method or to the nature of the interventions and policy initiatives stemming from it remains open to conjecture.

The establishment of injury surveillance systems in Colombia, El Salvador, and Nicaragua (2000-2006)

La Organizacion Panamericana de la Salud (OPS), en colaboracion con los Centros para el Control y la Prevencion de Enfermedades (CDC) de los Estados Unidos de America, establecio en 2000 sistemas para la vigilancia de lesiones en Colombia, El Salvador y Nicaragua. Estos sistemas, basados en los servicios hospitalarios de emergencia, formaron parte de un proyecto piloto fundamentado en las guias para la vigilancia de lesiones, desarrolladas por la Organizacion Mundial de la Salud (OMS) y los CDC. Los objetivos de este proyecto eran evaluar la utilidad de las guias de la OMS/CDC, crear mecanismos apropiados para la vigilancia de lesiones en los tres paises, promover intervenciones preventivas adecuadas e integrar la prevencion y el control de lesiones en proyectos nacionales de salud publica. En este articulo se describe el proyecto piloto de la OPS/CDC y se resaltan los principios mas importantes y las lecciones aprendidas durante sus seis anos de funcionamiento (2000-2006). Entre las principales recomendaciones se encuentran la integracion de la vigilancia de las lesiones en las unidades de epidemiologia e informacion existentes en los ministerios de salud, la recogida de los datos importantes exclusivamente, la garantia de monitoreos y evaluaciones adecuados y la adopcion de las practicas que han demostrado ser mas efectivas para el entrenamiento de personal y la diseminacion de informacion.

Driving under the influence of alcohol in Cali, Colombia: prevalence and consumption patterns, 2013

This studys goal was to establish the prevalence of driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI) and alcohol consumption patterns among drivers in Cali, Colombia, in 2013. A cross-sectional study based on a roadside survey using a stratified and multi-stage sampling design was developed. Thirty-two sites were chosen randomly for the selection of drivers who were then tested for blood alcohol concentration (BAC) and asked to participate in the survey. The prevalence of DUI was 0.88% (95% confidence intervals [95% CI] 0.26%–1.49%) with a lower prevalence when BAC was increasing. In addition, a higher prevalence was found during non-typical checkpoint hours (1.28, 95% CI −0.001%–0.03%). The overall prevalence is considered high, given the low alcohol consumption and vehicles per capita. Prevention measures are needed to reduce DUI during non-typical checkpoints and ongoing studies are required to monitor the trends and enable the assessment of interventions.

Perceptions about implementation of a Narrative Community-based Group Therapy for Afro-Colombians victims of Violence

Given the context and the number of armed conflict victims in the Colombian Pacific coast and their difficulties to access psycho-social care, Narrative Community-based Group Therapy appears as a viable mental health intervention. The objective of this study is to describe the process of implementation and results of the intervention in Afro-Colombian victims of violence, in the municipalities of Buenaventura and Quibdó. More specifically, we will be looking at the perspectives of workers and supervisors, through evaluative case studies and individual in-depth interviews. The therapy allows us to identify support and coping systems through coexistence, communication and interaction. It requires an adaptation process to the diversity of knowledge and expressions of victims of Colombian violence, greater empathy from care providers and rigor in their profiles selection, facilities ensuring security and confidentiality, and links with other educational, employment and recreational organizations. It is important to include these results while improving current and future intervention processes.

Using the Fatal Injury Surveillance System and Surveys to Monitor Motorcyclist Deaths and Helmet Use in Cali (Colombia), 1996–2009

Introduction In Cali, motorcycles are an important means of transportation and an increasing cause of injuries. The purpose was to examine deaths among motorcyclists over the period 1993 to 2009 and the possible role that various prevention measures may have had on these types of deaths. Method Motorcyclist deaths registered in a fatal injury surveillance system over the period 1993–2009 were analysed along with information on helmet use from annual surveys on helmet use, and other interventions (helmet laws, safety vest, etc.). Results Motorcyclist death rates increased from 18.0 per 10 000 registered motorcycles in 1993 to 26.7 in 1995. In 1996 a helmet law was launched, and the rate in that year decreased to 20.9. The rates have decreased in each year since the passage of the helmet law, with the lowest rate reported in 2006 (9.7). Besides the helmet law, other prevention strategies were also applied, possibly contributing to the reduction in motorcyclist fatalities. In the most recent survey on helmet use in Cali (2002), approximately 80% of motorcyclists reported using a helmet. In the last 4 years, however, the death rates have increased from 9.7 in 2006 to 16.5 in 2009. Conclusions In Cali, the helmet law and other enforcement measures have contributed to reduce motorcyclist deaths. Although most of the motorcyclists are helmeted in Cali, the increasing trend of deaths in recent years indicates the need to explore other factors that may be influencing mortality (eg, drunk driving).