Mariana Vásquez-Ponce

Teachers in conflict-affected regions face chronic stress and trauma exposure, compromising their mental health and professional identity. This study evaluates the effectiveness of the “Conmigo, Contigo, Con Todo” (3Cs) programme in improving resilience, compassion and prosocial behaviours among Afro-Colombian teachers in Tumaco, Colombia, through a mixed-methods cluster-randomised controlled trial. Thirty-two teachers from eight schools were randomised into intervention ( n = 28) and control ( n = 4) groups. Quantitative outcomes were assessed at baseline, post-intervention and follow-up using validated scales for resilience (CD-RISC), PTSD symptoms (PCL-C), anxiety, depression, compassion (ECOM) and prosocial behaviour (PPB). Qualitative data were collected through focus groups and analysed thematically. Resilience improved from baseline to follow-up (Hedges’ g = 0.23, small effect). PTSD symptoms declined substantially post-intervention (Hedges’ g = 0.98, large effect), with partial relapse at follow-up. Anxiety decreased initially but increased over time. Compassion and prosociality remained stable. Qualitative findings revealed perceived improvements in emotion regulation and compassion, although the 94% female sample may influence results. This exploratory study provides preliminary evidence that culturally adapted, school-based interventions may improve resilience and reduce trauma-related symptoms among teachers in high-adversity settings, although findings are limited by small sample size and group imbalance. Larger-scale replication with sustained reinforcement strategies is warranted.

Introducción: La leishmaniasis es una enfermedad infecciosa transmitida por vectores, siendo la leishmaniasis visceral la forma clínica más grave. En Colombia, representa un problema de salud pública, especialmente en poblaciones rurales y marginadas. El objetivo del estudio fue describir la distribución espacio-temporal y caracterizar la magnitud de los casos de leishmaniasis visceral en Colombia durante el periodo 2007-2023. Metodología: Se realizó un estudio observacional, retrospectivo y descriptivo, a partir de datos secundarios del Sistema de Vigilancia en Salud Pública (SIVIGILA). Se analizaron casos confirmados de leishmaniasis visceral en Colombia mediante estadística descriptiva, considerando variables de tiempo, persona y lugar. El análisis incluyó distribución anual, edad, sexo, pertenencia étnica, régimen de afiliación en salud, procedencia geográfica, y el cálculo de tiempos entre aparición de síntomas, atención médica y hospitalización si necesaria. Resultados: Durante el periodo analizado se reportaron 354 casos. La mayoría se concentró en los departamentos de Bolívar, Sucre y Córdoba, representando el 77,68% de los casos. El grupo etario más afectado fue el de menores de 5 años (82,20%), con predominio masculino (53,39%) y alta proporción en población indígena (87%). El 75,71% de los casos tenían afiliación al régimen subsidiado. 41% de los casos fue reportado en zonas rurales. Respecto a atención médica, 83,33% de los casos requirió hospitalización y la letalidad fue baja (4%). El tiempo promedio entre inicio de síntomas y consulta médica fue de 27,14 días. Conclusiones: Se concluye que la leishmaniasis visceral mantiene su carácter endémico en Colombia, con distribución focalizada en regiones rurales de la región Caribe y predominancia en poblaciones vulnerables (indígenas, niños, inmunosuprimidos). Persisten desafíos como la detección oportuna, el subregistro y las barreras de acceso a salud. Se resalta la necesidad de fortalecer la vigilancia activa, mejorar los sistemas diagnósticos y reforzar las estrategias de control vectorial y prevención en comunidades de alto riesgo.

Objective: To assess the impact of psychotherapy on obesity treatment in outpatient settings. Methods: The study targets adults with a BMI of 30 or higher, comparing psychotherapeutic interventions to usual care or no treatment. Key outcomes include weight loss, adverse events, depression, quality of life, and long-term BMI changes. Extensive database searches were conducted. Results: Out of 1,334 articles reviewed, only 3 studies met the inclusion criteria, emphasizing the scarcity of relevant research. These studies primarily focused on behavioral and cognitive-behavioral strategies. Results showed that combining behavior therapy with diet/exercise led to greater weight loss than diet/exercise alone. Studies on cognitive therapy and general psychotherapy were less frequent and yielded weaker evidence. Despite varied methodologies, the findings suggest that behavioral therapy combined with dietary and exercise interventions offers improved outcomes, though more research is needed to strengthen these conclusions. Conclusions: The study found that combining behavioral therapy with diet and exercise resulted in greater weight loss than diet and exercise alone. However, research on the impact of psychotherapy on obesity is limited, as only 3 studies met the inclusion criteria. Cognitive therapies and general psychotherapy provided weaker evidence. Therefore, further research is necessary to validate these findings and investigate alternative psychotherapeutic methods for treating obesity.

Introduction: Suicide is a significant public health issue, especially in middle- and low-income countries, with higher rates among young people. Suicidal behavior includes suicide, suicidal ideation, attempts, and gestures, each with distinct definitions. Community-based interventions are crucial for suicide prevention, but there is limited research on their effectiveness, especially in low-resource settings. This review aims to assess and categorize such interventions for adolescents and young adults globally. Objective: To assess the effect of community interventions for the prevention of suicide in adolescents and young adults. Methods: A scoping review was conducted following the methodological framework of the Joanna Briggs Institute and the PRISMA-ScR extension. The goal was to examine the effectiveness of community-based interventions for suicide prevention among adolescents and young adults (15-30 years). After searching various databases, articles were independently reviewed, and selected studies were analyzed in collaborative meetings to reach conclusions regarding the validity and outcomes of the interventions. Results: 2162 references were found, but only 12 studies met the eligibility criteria for the analysis phase. The studies explored various community-based suicide prevention interventions, including educational programs for parents, dialectical behavioral therapy, and culturally adapted initiatives for Indigenous populations. Key findings demonstrated reductions in suicidal thoughts and behaviors, though challenges such as small sample sizes, cultural nuances, and long-term effectiveness were noted.

Objective: To explore mental health promotion interventions for victims of Colombian armed conflict. Design: Scoping review. Methods: Searches were conducted using indexed and free terms regarding mental health promotion interventions for victims of Colombian armed conflict in different databases, including MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scielo, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, LiLACS, Google Scholar, and PsycArticles. We included primary and secondary research sources, including clinical trials, randomized controlled trials, qualitative research, online journals, meta-analyses, scoping reviews, and systematic reviews, as well as government reports and articles about implementing mental health promotion strategies for victims of Colombian armed conflict. Results: Our search returned 317 identified articles through database exploration. Four more articles were included through literature research and another four records were included through gray literature and government reports. Retrieved citations were screened using Rayyan QCRI. A total of 259 records were left after duplicate removal. Members of the group then performed a paired-blind screening, which left us with 16 articles to be included in the analysis. Data analysis was conducted by authors in pairs using custom tools developed by the research team. After reviewing the articles, only six met the inclusion criteria established for this scoping review. Among these, two of the interventions addressed were randomized clinical trials that demonstrated effects on depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Additionally, one of these trials assessed impairments in functionality. Conclusion: A total of six articles demonstrated the effectiveness of mental health promotion and primary prevention interventions in Colombian victims of armed conflict. However, only two of the studies were randomized clinical trials, and methodological limitations were evident, including loss in sample follow-up, challenges in comparing populations, and use of non-standardized scales across different studies. This hinders the possibility of a unified assessment of these interventions and highlights the need for bigger study samples and use of tools that facilitate access to programs and one-year follow-ups to enhance interventions government organizations employ to address these mental health needs.