BACKGROUND: Drug users act as reservoirs and transmission channels for hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections to the general population worldwide. Periodic epidemiological studies to monitor the prevalence and genetic diversity of these infections to inform on interventions are limited. OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY: The objective of this study was to determine the predictors of HIV infection and genetic diversity of HBV and HCV among drug users in Kenya. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study on previous drug use history among drug users was conducted in three Kenyan cities using a respondent-driven sampling method between January 2011 and September 2012. Blood samples were collected and analysed for the presence of HBV, HCV and HIV serological markers and to determine the genotypes of HBV and HCV. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of HBV, HCV and HIV among drug users was 4.3%, 6.5% and 11.1%, respectively, with evidence of HBV/HIV, HCV/HIV and HBV/HCV/HIV co-infections. The HBV circulating genotypes were A1 (69%) and D6 (19%), whereas HCV genotypes were 1a (72%) and 4a (22%). Injection drug use was a significant predictor of HIV/HCV infections. Younger age (30 years; aOR (adjusted odds ratio) = 0.50, 95% CI (confidence interval): 0.33-0.76; p < 0.001) and early sexual debut (aOR = 0.54, 95% CI: 0.40-0.82; p < 0.05) were negatively associated with detection of any of the three infections. Injecting drug use was positively associated with HCV infection (aOR = 5.37, 95% CI: 2.61-11.06; p < 0.001. CONCLUSION: This high level of genetic diversity exhibited by HBV and HCV isolates requires urgent implementation of harm reduction strategies and continuous monitoring for effective management of the patients.

RESUMEN La intención de este artículo es evidenciar la importancia de los grupos focales de discusión como estrategia metodológica para la recolección de información en el trabajo con adolescentes institucionalizados con experiencia de vida en calle y, al mismo tiempo, mostrar su valor en el abordaje de la salud sexual con esta población, en tanto que permite una interacción flexible y reflexiva entre investigadores y participantes, así como de los participantes entre sí. El valor de esta estrategia metodológica es sustentado en este artículo mediante testimonios y resultados obtenidos durante su implementación en el estudio llevado a cabo con adolescentes institucionalizados entre 2013 y 2014 en Medellín. Se espera con este reducir las creencias de profesionales con respecto a las limitaciones de la estrategia para abordar temáticas relacionadas con la salud sexual de este grupo poblacional. Los resultados se articulan en cuatro categorías: conocimientos y percepciones sobre VIH e ITS, salud sexual y reproductiva (SSR), el lenguaje en la SSR, y acceso y uso de las tecnologías de la información y la comunicación (TIC). De esta manera se deja de manifiesto el aporte y potencial de la estrategia para el abordaje del tema y para el acercamiento e interacción con adolescentes con experiencia de vida en calle.

ABSTRACT This paper aims to show the importance of discussion focus groups as a methodological strategy for the compilation of information in studies with institutionalized adolescents who have lived on the streets. At the same time, it aims to show the value of this technique in approaching the topic of sexual health with this population, since it allows for flexible and reflexive researcherparticipant and participant-participant interaction. The value of this methodological strategy is supported in this article through accounts and results obtained during the implementation of a study conducted with institutionalized adolescents between 2013 and 2014. We expect these results will reduce the beliefs of professionals regarding the limitations of the strategy to address issues related to the sexual health of this type of population. The results are divided into four categories: knowledge and perceptions of HIV and STIs, sexual and reproductive health (SRH), the language used in SRH, and access to and use of information and communications technology (ICT). Thus, this paper clearly shows the contribution and potential of the strategy for addressing the issue, approaching and interacting with adolescents who have lived on the street.

RESUMO A intenção deste artículo é evidenciar a importância dos grupos focais de discussão como estratégia metodológica para a recolecção de informação no trabalho com adolescentes institucionalizados com experiência de vida na rua e, ao mesmo tempo, mostrar o seu valor na abordagem da saúde sexual com esta população, entanto que permite uma interação flexível e reflexiva entre investigadores e participantes, assim como dos participantes entre eles. O valor desta estratégia metodológica é sustentado neste artigo mediante testemunhos e resultados obtidos durante a sua implementação em estudo levado a cabo com adolescentes institucionalizados entre 2013 e 2014 em Medellín. Espreitando com isto reduzir as crenças de profissionais com respeito ás limitações da estratégia para abordar temáticas relacionadas com a saúde sexual de este grupo populacional. Os resultados se articulam em quatro categorias: conhecimentos e percepções sobre VIH e ITS, saúde sexual e reprodutiva (SSR), a linguajem na SSR, e acesso e uso das tecnologias da informação e a comunicação (TIC). Desta maneira se deixa de manifesto o aporte e potencial da estratégia para a abordagem do tema e para a proximidade e interação com adolescentes com experiência de vida na rua.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine whether there is an association between severe maternal mortality (SMM) and the characteristics of access to and use of obstetric services by the participating women. METHODS: A study of cases and controls was conducted in a group of 600 women who were attended during pregnancy or the puerperium between 2011 and 2012 by obstetric services located in Medellín, Colombia. The study considered cases (n = 150) in obstetric patients who met the criteria for SMM established by the surveillance system being used in Medellín at the time of their admission. The controls (n = 450) were randomly selected in the same institutions where the patients were being treated. The information was obtained through an in-person interview, review of the patient’s clinical history, and rating of the medical care provided by surveillance program personnel. The analysis was based on the model Road Map for Preventing Maternal Death developed jointly by Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control, United Nations Population Fund for Latin America and the Caribbean, and Mothercare UK. RESULTS: The proportion of unplanned pregnancies in the women studied was 57.6%, while the proportion of delay in the decision to seek care was 32.0%. Two variables were found to be associated with SMM: ethnicity (OR = 1.79) and delays due to deficiencies in the quality of care provided (OR = 8.54). CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that improving the effectiveness and quality of family planning, prenatal check-up, and hospital obstetric care programs could help to reduce avoidable cases of SMM.

OBJETIVO: El objetivo de este estudio es establecer si la morbilidad materna extrema (MME) se asocia con algunas características del acceso y la utilización de los servicios obstétricos de las gestantes participantes. MÉTODOS: Se realizó un estudio de casos y controles con 600 pacientes en embarazo, en parto o el puerperio atendidas entre 2011 y 2012 en servicios de obstetricia de Medellín (Colombia). Se consideraron casos (n = 150) las pacientes obstétricas que durante el ingreso cumplían los criterios de MME establecidos por el sistema de vigilancia que se aplica en la ciudad. Los controles (n = 450) se obtuvieron aleatoriamente de las mismas instituciones que los casos. La información se recabó mediante entrevista personalizada, revisión de la historia clínica y calificación del cuidado médico, realizada por el personal del programa de vigilancia. El análisis se realizó sobre la base del modelo Camino para la supervivencia a la muerte materna de la OPS/OMS, CDC, FNUAP-LAC y Mother Care. RESULTADOS: El porcentaje de embarazo no planificado en las mujeres estudiadas fue 57,6% y el retraso en la decisión de buscar atención, 32,0%. La etnia (OR = 1,8; IC95%: 1,0-2,9) y el retraso por deficiencias en la calidad de la atención prestada (OR = 8,3; IC95%: 5,0-13,7) fueron las variables que se encontraron asociadas con la MME. CONCLUSIONES: Los hallazgos sugieren que mejorar la efectividad y calidad de los programas de planificación familiar, control prenatal y atención obstétrica hospitalaria pudiera contribuir a reducir los casos evitables de MME.

OBJETIVOS: evaluar el proceso de desarrollo del folleto educativo en salud Abre los ojos, diseñado para jóvenes en situación de calle en Medellín. Se evaluaron tanto el proceso de su creación como su percepción posterior entre los jóvenes. METODOLOGIA: la evaluación incluyó el análisis de datos cuantitativos y cualitativos mediante entrevistas individuales y grupos focales con jóvenes en situación de calle de Medellín. De estos jóvenes, 94, con edades entre 14 y 24 años, respondieron una encuesta de percepciones sobre el material. RESULTADOS: los grupos focales fueron efectivos para recoger las ideas y sugerencias del tipo de contenido que ellos querían para el material educativo de salud y la forma de presentarlo. Después de distribuirlo, la respuesta general resultó positiva. Manifestaron que contenía información valiosa y relevante en relación con sus experiencias. Pese a no ser el objeto principal de esta evaluación, las entrevistas individuales proporcionaron resultados preliminares acerca de la posible efectividad del material educativo para incrementar el nivel de conocimiento de los participantes sobre los temas allí incluidos. CONCLUSIONel proceso colaborativo para desarrollar el contenido del material educativo, en asocio con los jóvenes, probó ser muy valioso. Mientras que los investigadores seleccionaron información sobre VIH, los jóvenes seleccionaron información de otros temas como piercing, uso de solventes y lo que significa vivir en la calle. El material educativo resultante fue bien recibido por representantes de los jóvenes en situación de calle de Medellín, diferentes a los que participaron en su diseño

OBJECTIVE: Conduct a process evaluation of a health education resource (pamphlet), Abre los Ojos, designed for street-involved youth in Medellín. The primary foci of the evaluation were the process of developing the resource and youth's subsequent perception of the resource. METHODOLOGY: Drawing upon both qualitative and quantitative data, a process evaluation was undertaken. Ninety four street-involved youth between the ages of 14-24 years completed surveys about the resource. These semi-structured interviews were key for the information about youth perception of the resource. In addition to individual interviews, prior to resource creation, a series of focus groups were integral for the development of the resource. RESULTS: The process of consulting with the target population through the focus groups was effective in obtaining their ideas and feedback about what type of content they would like to see in a health education resource, and how they wanted that content presented. After distribution, participants described that Abre los Ojos contained information that was valuable and relevant to their experiences. While not a primary focus of this evaluation, the individual interviews were also able to provide some preliminary insight into whether Abre los Ojos was an effective means for participants to increase their knowledge of content included in the resource. CONCLUSION: The collaborative process of jointly developing the resource content in partnership with the youth proved very worthwhile. While our research team chose to include information about HIV, through focus group dialogue, the youth themselves determined the additional content themes (piercings, use of solvents, and description of life on the street). The resulting resource was well-received by members of the street-involved population who had not been involved in its design.