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Background: Population health diagnoses are a fundamental tool to guide health policies and programs, and consequently, public health requirements. In this perspective, the burden of disease in inhabitants of Colombian Orinoquia is quantified for the first time., Methods: A descriptive population-based study that was based on secondary sources was carried out, which aimed at measuring the burden of the disease in the Colombian region of Orinoquia, using the simplified synthetic indicator of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) of the global health estimation methodology. We used mortality records from the National Administrative Department of Statistics (DANE) and service provision records from the Ministry of Health and Social Protection of Colombia, both records from the year 2017, available on the Integrated Social Protection Information System., Results: 288,740.2 DALYs occurred (95% UI 210,714.6-382,948.8), with higher reports for men (59%); group of non-communicable diseases accounted for 62.3% of DALYs (179,993.6, 95% UI, 115,030.2-268,405.0), followed by external cause injuries group which contributed 24.6% (71,000.0, 95% UI, 25,638.1-134,013.1), and group of communicable, maternal, neonatal, and nutritional disorders which contributed 13.1% (37,746.0, 95% UI, 28,048.0-50,239.7). Interpersonal violence was the primary cause specific of DALYs with 9.8% of the burden, (28,290.0, 95% UI, 7,365.1-64,208.1)., Conclusions: Most DALYs in Orinoquia are produced by non-communicable diseases (NCD), largely caused by neoplasms and cardiovascular disease, which increased with age. However, when considered by specific cause of illness or injury, interpersonal violence is indicated as the main cause of DALYs, affecting mainly young men, possibly as an expression of social inequality, substance use, criminality, and insecurity. It is important to highlight that this region has been recognized as an area of armed conflict, drug trafficking, and poverty., Competing Interests: No competing interests were disclosed., (Copyright: © 2023 Gutiérrez-Lesmes O and Grisales-Romero H.)

Objective: Analyzing the contents included in the development plans, territorial health plans and the municipal agreements regarding public health, as well as their coherence with the health situation of the community, as reflected by their epidemiologic profile. Methodology: We reviewed and compared the municipal development plants, the territorial health plans of the 2008-2011 and 2012-2015 periods, the agreements that the municipal councils issued on public health matters between 2008 and June, 2013, as well as the epidemiologic profiles of six Colombian cities. Findings: The development and territorial plans have some strategic guidelines that generate public policies on different health topics on a territorial level, but none of the cities has an integral policy on public health. The health needs are not sufficiently covered by the municipal agreements. Most of the policies and public health programs are not developed further from a government period to the next; monitoring and assessment programs are not carried out to take decisions based on results either. Conclusion: None of the cities has an integral public health policy; there are multiple policies and programs focused on particular topics; there is no further development on policies and programs between government periods [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The Hitnü indigenous people live in precarious sanitary conditions, with food insecurity and being victims of sociopolitical violence in Arauca, Colombia. In addition, it is possible that they may be affected by exposure to hydrocarbons found in oil. Objective: To identify the health outcomes of morbidity and mortality profiles of the Hitnü people that could be associated with the exposure to crude oil. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out with Hitnü indigenous people, during February and March, 2021, time of drought. A household questionnaire was applied, and one individual to collect data from the environment around the house, occupations and other activities, as well as data from sociodemographic, signs, symptoms, and findings of a medical examination. The potential association with hydrocarbons was explored considering three groups: inhabitants in Arauca city, Aspejaná reserve (not exposed), and San José del Lipa and La Vorágine reserves (exposed by the Ele river and tributaries). With free listings, causes of death were explored. The study incorporated a rigorous intercultural management in all its components. Results: A total of 576 indigenous people from 16 settlements participated. The water consumed could serve as means of exposure to hydrocarbons. Health problems were very varied, including infectious and chronic diseases, malnutrition, and trauma. The masses on the neck were associated with residing in the ancestral reserves (PR = 3.86; CI95% 1.77-8.39), territories with potential exposure to crude-oil. The most relevant causes of death were homicide, tumors, and tuberculosis. Conclusion: For its possible association with exposure to hydrocarbons, it is a priority to start the intercultural study of lymphadenopathies in indigenous communities potentially exposed to crude oil.

Epidemiological profiles are key elements in preventive medicine and public health planning activities. There are no standard methods to identify these profiles. We explored the epidemiological profile of sugar cane workers in the municipality of Ginebra (Valle del Cauca, Colombia) using free lists of municipal morbidity data. We administered an instrument to 30 sugar cane workers, 15 health care workers and 15 people from the general community in order to compare the health problems experienced by the community. Sugar cane workers reported their own health problems and health professionals and community members served as informants for health problems in the general community. Respiratory problems were part of the morbidity profile of all groups evaluated, flu was part of the profile of the general community, and other respiratory problems were part of the profile of sugar cane workers and health personnel. Musculoskeletal problems were predominant only for sugar cane workers, and we found differences between the health problems expressed by the community and those reported by health personnel. The free lists method constitutes a quick, efficient, and useful tool to develop an approximation of an epidemiological profile and is easily interpreted, especially when typical and previously described occupational diseases are considered together with diseases associated with occupational groups. Epidemiological profiles based on free lists are useful to identify new opportunities for prevention strategies.