Content validity is rarely evaluated based on empirical data, independent of that from a panel of content experts. In this article, procedures are used to construct parallel test forms based on statistical equivalence rather than content equivalence. This article describes an alternative approach to assessing content validity and content equivalence in terms of item-content structures and content area constructs. Structural equation modeling is applied to item-response data from 2 Regents College examinations to empirically verify content constructs developed by a panel of content experts and to examine content equivalence across-parallel test forms. The results suggest the different degrees of inconsistency and bias of content experts in assigning items to their corresponding content areas. The results also show that content equivalence across-parallel test forms is disputable based on randomly splitting methods. The implication and importance of the study is discussed in terms of test development.

Assessing Content Validity and Content Equivalence Using Structural Equation Modeling. Teacher's Corner.

https://www.scielosp.org/pdf/gs/2017.v31n1/71-71/es

¿Existen los instrumentos validos? Un debate necesario

This article presents the design process of innovative prototypes for cervical cancer prevention in primary care centers located in low-income settings in Cali, Colombia, using the Human-Centered Design (HCD). The project was developed in collaboration with a public healthcare network comprised of 38 urban and rural centers with women between the ages of 25 and 65 years, healthcare providers of the cancer program, healthcare administrators and the general manager of said network. Our HCD process involved five stages: research, need synthesis, ideation and co-design process, prototyping and in-context usability testing. In practice, some of the stages are overlapped and iterated throughout the design process. We conducted observations, open-ended interviews and conversations, multi-stakeholder workshops, focus groups, systematic text condensation analyses and tests in real contexts. As a result, we designed four prototypes: (1) 'Encanto': An educational manicure service, (2) 'No le des la espalda a la citologia': A media-based strategy, (3) An educational wireless queuing device in the waiting room, and (4) Citobot: A cervical cancer early detection device, system, and method. The tests carried out with each prototype showed their value, limitations and possibilities in terms of subsequent development and validation through public health research or clinical research. We recognize that a longer-term evaluation is required in order to determine whether the prototypes will be used regularly, integrated into cervical cancer screening services and effectively improve access to cytology as a screening test. We conclude that HCD is a useful for design-based prevention in the field of cervical cancer. The integration of this approach with public health research would allow the generation of evidence during to the formulation of policies and programs as well as optimize existing interventions and, ultimately, facilitate the scalability and financing of what actually works.

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Innovative prototypes for cervical cancer prevention in low-income primary care settings: A human-centered design approach

SIGNIFICANCEUncorrected refractive error is the leading cause of visual impairment; therefore, reducing its prevalence is important worldwide. For two decades, there has not been a comprehensive assessment of refractive error in Latin America.PURPOSEThe purpose of this study was to determine the cur

/pdf/prevalence-of-refractive-error-presbyopia-and-spectacle-98wdai2zdz.pdf

Prevalence of Refractive Error, Presbyopia, and Spectacle Coverage in Bogotá, Colombia: A Rapid Assessment of Refractive Error.

The aim of this study was to measure the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites (GI) in domestic animals and children in high mountain populations in the districts of Combia and Toche, Valle del Cauca-Colombia. These communities have been affected by the armed conflict in Colombia and are susceptible to health risk factors related to the Colombian post-conflict. Prevalence and risk factors were measured using Bayesian methods on 45 structured interviews applied to 29 families in Combia and 16 in Toche. This inquire aimed to analyze the socio-economic and demographic factors associated with the presence of parasites. This interview was conducted with 50 children: 40 (80%) from Rita Sabogal school district of Toche, and 10 (20%) from Tablones-Atanasio Girardot schools. 23 faecal samples from asymtomatic children from these schools were collected. Subsequently, 308 animals were characterized through the analysis of 64 faecal samples from asymptomatic individuals (20,8%); 18/41 from dogs (43,9%), 18/175 from poultry (10,3%), 7/13 from cats 56,84%, 6/20 from equines (30%) and from 15/59 cattle (25,43%). The prevalence of intestinal parasites among children under six years was 60% [95% PI = 41%-78%]; Endolimax nana, 24% [95% PI = 9,8%-42%]; Iodamoeba buetschlii, 16% [95% PI = 4,7%-32%]; Entamoeba coli, 35% [95% PI = 18%-55%]; Giardia lamblia, 12% [95% PI = 2,7%-27%]. In Equids the presence of Strongylus spp was 37% [95% PI = 10%-71%]; Parascaris equorum, 37% [95% PI = 10%-71%]; in dogs, Dipylidium caninum was 20% [95% PI = 6%-39%]; Trichuris trichiura, 9% [95% PI = 1,3%-26%]; Toxocara canis, 25% [95% PI = 9%-46%]; in cats, Toxocara cati had a prevalence of 44% [95% PI = 16%-75%]; cyst of Eimeria spp, 15% [95% PI = 3,4%-33%]; in poultry and Eimeria zuernii in cattle, 50% [95% PI = 23%-77%]. There was no association with exposure of humans to animal parasites. However, we conclude that female and children under 6 years of age are more likely OR (6,72-2,3) to get parasites.

/pdf/prevalence-and-associated-risk-factors-of-intestinal-tejr0egdzb.pdf

Prevalence and associated risk factors of Intestinal parasites in rural high-mountain communities of the Valle del Cauca-Colombia.

https://scielo.isciii.es/pdf/gs/v30n6/0213-9111-gs-30-06-00415.pdf

Encuesta de acceso a servicios de salud para hogares colombianos

espanolEl acceso a servicios de salud es una de las principales preocupaciones de las politicas sanitarias. En el Valle del Cauca es escasa la informacion local sobre acceso efectivo desde la perspectiva de la poblacion. Objetivo. Analizar el comportamiento del acceso a los servicios de salud de la poblacion urbana del municipio de Palmira, Valle del Cauca en el ano 2017. Metodo. Estudio cuantitativo transversal, a traves de encuesta aplicada a una muestra de 242 hogares; el muestreo fue probabilistico, estratificado, multietapico por conglomerados. Resultado. Urgencias y consulta medica evidencian alta resolucion de la necesidad demandada y satisfaccion, pero baja oportunidad; la continuidad de la atencion se ve afectada por excesiva tramitologia, no autorizacion de servicios y no entrega de medicamentos; en consulta especializada la oportunidad es baja; hospitalizacion reporto mejor en la oportunidad, alta satisfaccion y alta resolucion de la necesidad; en servicios preventivos la escasa promocion de la oferta determina el poco uso de los servicios, y en varios casos, es mayor el uso que la promocion. Discusion. Se corroboran resultados de estudios anteriores; se destaca la importancia de las barreras administrativas y estructurales del sistema para comprender la problematica del acceso en Colombia. Conclusiones. Pese al aumento en el aseguramiento de la poblacion persisten problemas que impiden el acceso real de la poblacion a los servicios de salud, relacionados con oportunidad, continuidad, complementariedad y gasto de bolsillo; la escasa promocion de los servicios preventivos evidencia el enfoque curativo del modelo de atencion en salud en Colombia. EnglishAccess to health services is one of the principal health policy concerns. In Valle del Cauca, local information on effective access from the perspective of the population is scarce. Objective. Analyze the behavior of access to health services in the Palmira, Valle del Cauca urban population in 2017. Method. Cross-sectional quantitative study, through a survey applied to a sample of 242 households; the sampling was probabilistic, stratified, multistage by conglomerates. Results. Emergencies and medical consultation show a high resolution of the demanded need and satisfaction, but low opportunity; continuity of care is affected by excessive paperwork, non- authorization of services, and non-delivery of medicine. For specialized consultation, the opportunity is low. Hospitalization reported better opportunity, high satisfaction and high resolution of needs. In preventive services, the lack of promotion of the services determines their scarce use; in several cases, the use is higher than the promotion. Discussion. The results of previous studies were corroborated. The importance of the administrative and structural barriers of the system is highlighted in order to understand the problem of access in Colombia. Conclusion. Despite the increase in the population’s insurance coverage, problems persist that prevent real access of the population to health services, related to opportunity, continuity, complementarity and out-of-pocket expenses; the scarce promotion of preventive services demonstrates the curative focus of the health attention model in Colombia.

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Victoria Eugenia Estrada

Papers

Encuesta de acceso a servicios de salud para hogares colombianos

Acceso a servicios de salud: estudio de hogares en Palmira, Valle, Colombia, 2017