Publications by authors named "Oscar Franco-Suarez"
The response of health systems to the needs of migrants and refugees in the COVID-19 pandemic: a comparative case study between Mexico, Colombia and Peru.
Lancet Reg Health Am
December 2024
Background: Protecting the health of migrants and refugees during the pandemic was a significant challenge in the Latin American region. We aimed to describe and contrast the response of the health systems of Mexico, Colombia and Perú to migrants' and refugees' health needs during the COVID-19 pandemic, and to situate the response in the context of the migration and health policies of each country.
Methods: We conducted case studies of the three countries.
Article Synopsis
- The study evaluates the potential of using mobile phone surveys for respiratory syndromic surveillance in Colombia during a public health emergency, focusing on COVID-19 detection and management.
- Two pilot programs utilized interactive voice response technology to collect data on demographics, respiratory symptoms, past COVID-19 exposure, and vaccination status from respondents aged 18 and older.
- Participation rates were above 80%, indicating strong engagement, although contact rates were low (1%-2%), and results showed that younger, female, and highly educated individuals were more likely to participate.
Background: COVID-19 vaccination is a global priority. Latin American countries have some of the highest COVID-19 death rates worldwide with vaccination hampered by a variety of reasons, including mis- and disinformation, vaccine hesitancy, and vaccine supply constraints. Addressing vaccine hesitancy through effective messages has been found to help increase vaccine uptake.
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