Medical decisions concerning the end of life for cancer patients in three Colombian hospitals - a survey study.

Background: Cancer patients' end-of-life care may involve complex decision-making processes. Colombia has legislation regarding provision of and access to palliative care and is the only Latin American country with regulation regarding euthanasia. We describe medical end-of-life decision-making practices among cancer patients in three Colombian hospitals.

Peritoneal Dialysis Modality Failure in a Middle-Income Country: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Rationale & Objective: Technique failure in peritoneal dialysis (PD) remains one of the most critical challenges of this therapy and is associated with a significant increase in costs and morbidity. Our objective was to estimate the frequency of PD technique failure and identify factors associated with technique failure.

Study Design: A retrospective multicenter observational cohort study.

Therapeutic Communities In Latin America: An International Descriptive Study In Different Countries Across Latin America.

Objective: In Latin America is not known for certain the quantity or quality of therapeutic communities (TCs) available in the region. The objective of this study is to describe and quantify the quantity and quality of the existing TCs in 5 different countries.

Design: A multicenter quantitative description of the TCs was conducted in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico and Peru.

Clinical and economic outcomes associated with malnutrition in hospitalized patients.

Background & Aims: Hospitalized patients show a high rate of malnutrition, which is associated with poor patient outcomes and high healthcare costs. However, relatively few studies have investigated the association between clinical and economic outcomes and malnutrition in hospitalized patients, particularly those with cardiac and pulmonary conditions.

Methods: This multicenter prospective observational cohort study included 800 patients hospitalized at four Colombian hospitals with a diagnosis of congestive heart failure, acute myocardial infarction, community-acquired pneumonia, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Housing index, urbanisation level and lifetime prevalence of depressive and anxiety disorders: a cross-sectional analysis of the Colombian national mental health survey.

Objectives: To study socioeconomic inequalities in mental health in rural and urban Colombia, a country with a history of internal conflict and large socioeconomic inequalities. Recent survey data are available to study this understudied topic in a middle-income country.

Methods: Using data from 9656 respondents from the 2015 Colombian Mental Health survey, we investigated the association between lifetime prevalence of depressive and anxiety disorders and quality of dwellings and access to public services housing score (HS).

Quality measurers of therapeutic communities for substance dependence: an international collaborative study survey in Latin America.

Background: In Latin America, substance related disorders are highly prevalent and one of the treatment strategies is the Therapeutic Communities (TCs), however, in Latin America there is scarce data about this treatment strategies, their quality, drop-out rates and patient satisfaction.

Methods: Based on a previous study in 5 Latin American countries, the TCs who had a score equal or higher than 9 according to the De Leon criteria which are some fundamental items that the TCs should meet, were selected to carry out a descriptive and retrospective study of qualitative and quantitative characteristics of the TCs.

Results: Data from 58 TCs in 5 countries were included, with a sample of 1414 patients interviewed, of which most were single men, with no hospitalization history in a therapeutic community.

[Methodological Aspects of the Sampling Design for the 2015 National Mental Health Survey].

Introduction: The WHO has encouraged the development, implementation and evaluation of policies related to mental health all over the world. In Colombia, within this framework and promoted by the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, as well as being supported by Colciencias, the fourth National Mental Health Survey (NMHST) was conducted using a observational cross sectional study. According to the context and following the guidelines and sampling design, a summary of the methodology used for this sampling process is presented.

Epidemiologic characteristics of death by burn injury from 2000 to 2009 in Colombia, South America: a population-based study.

Background: Burns are one of the most severe traumas that an individual can suffer. The World Health Organization (WHO) affirms that injuries related to burns are a global public health problem mainly in low- and middle-income countries. The first step towards reducing any preventable injury is based on accurate information.

[Effects of aerial applications of the herbicide glyphosate and insecticides on human health].

Introduction: The herbicide glyphosate is administered aerially by the Program to Eradicate Illicit Crops Program and is undertaken in rigorous compliance with the Environmental Management Plan.

Objective: The effects of the glyphosate herbicide and other aerially applied insecticides were measured to determine possible impact on human health.

Materials And Methods: In 2006-2006, a survey was taken of 112 individuals living in herbicide-treated areas of the Colombian provinces of Huila, Tolima, Putumayo, Guaviare, Santander, Antioquia, Magdalena and La Guajira.