[Approaching the concept of mental health for indigenous peoples in Colombia].

This study sought to perceive the concept of mental health from the perspective of Colombian indigenous peoples. A qualitative survey from a historic-hermeneutical standpoint was conducted by means of interviews with a stratified intentional sample of 10 leaders with experience in indigenous mental health. After being duly transcribed, interview materials were analyzed using a grounded theory approach.

Community Perspectives About Sociocultural Conditions Associated With Children's Health Among the Nasa People in Colombia.

Background: Health inequalities that affect indigenous peoples have been recently documented by international organizations such as the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). The Nasa reservation in Iquira (Huila) where this study was conducted has one of the highest infant mortality rates in the country.

Objective: Understanding community perspectives about the sociocultural determinants of children's health is crucial in order to develop effective and culturally appropriate public health interventions to address this pressing issue.

[Migrants' female partners: social image and the search for sexual and reproductive health services].

Objective: Analysing the self-image and social image of migrants' female partners (MFP) and their relationship with the search for sexual and reproductive health services (SRHS) in communities having a high US migratory intensity index.

Methods: 60 MFP were subjected to in-depth interviews between October 2004 and May 2005 and 19 semi-structured interviews were held with members of their families, 14 representatives from social organisations, 10 health service representatives and 31 men and women residing in the community.

Results: MFP self-image and social image regards women as being "vulnerable", "alone", "lacking sexual partner" and thus being sexually inactive.