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Mental Health and Psychosocial Problems and Needs of Violence Survivors in the Colombian Pacific Coast: A Qualitative Study in Buenaventura and Quibdó

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 July 2018

Julián Santaella-Tenorio Open the ORCID record for Julián Santaella-Tenorio [Opens in a new window] ,
Francisco J. Bonilla-Escobar ,
Luis Nieto-Gil ,
Andrés Fandiño-Losada ,
María I. Gutiérrez-Martínez ,
Judy Bass  and
Paul Bolton
Julián Santaella-Tenorio*
Affiliation:
Epidemiology Department, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New YorkUSA Instituto Cisalva, Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia
Francisco J. Bonilla-Escobar
Affiliation:
Instituto Cisalva, Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia
Luis Nieto-Gil
Affiliation:
Secretaría de Educación de Cali, Colombia
Andrés Fandiño-Losada
Affiliation:
Instituto Cisalva, Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia
María I. Gutiérrez-Martínez
Affiliation:
Instituto Cisalva, Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia
Judy Bass
Affiliation:
Department of Mental Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MarylandUSA
Paul Bolton
Affiliation:
Departments of International Health and Mental Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MarylandUSA
*
Correspondence: Julian Santaella-Tenorio, MSc Epidemiology Department Mailman School of Public Health Columbia University 722 W 168th St. New York, New York 10032 USA E-mail: js4222@cumc.columbia.edu
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Abstract

Introduction/Problem

For more than 60 years, Colombia experienced an armed conflict involving government forces, guerrillas, and other illegal armed groups. Violence, including torture and massacres, has caused displacement of entire rural communities to urban areas. Lack of information on the problems displaced communities face and on their perceptions on potential solutions to these problems may prevent programs from delivering appropriate services to these communities. This study explores the problems of Afro-Colombian survivors from two major cities in Colombia; the activities they do to take care of themselves, their families, and their community; and possible solutions to these problems.

Methods

This was a qualitative, interview-based study conducted in Quibdó and Buenaventura (Colombia). Free-list interviews and focus groups explored the problems of survivors and the activities they do to take care of themselves, their families, and their community. Key-informant interviews explored details of the identified mental health problems and possible solutions.

Results

In Buenaventura, 24 free-list interviews, one focus group, and 17 key-informant interviews were completed. In Quibdó, 29 free-list interviews, one focus group, and 15 key-informant interviews were completed. Mental health problems identified included: (1) problems related to exposure to torture/violent events; (2) problems with adaptation to the new social context; and (3) problems related to current poverty, lack of employment, and ongoing violence. These problems were similar to trauma symptoms and features of depression and anxiety, as described in other populations. Solutions included psychological help, talking to friends/family, relying on God’s help, and getting trained in different task or jobs.

Conclusion:

Afro-Colombian survivors of torture and violence described mental health problems similar to those of other trauma-affected populations. These results suggest that existing interventions that address trauma-related symptoms and current ongoing stressors may be appropriate for improving the mental health of survivors in this population.

Santaella-TenorioJ, Bonilla-EscobarFJ, Nieto-GilL, Fandiño-LosadaA, Gutiérrez-MartínezMI, BassJ, BoltonP. Mental Health and Psychosocial Problems and Needs of Violence Survivors in the Colombian Pacific Coast: A Qualitative Study in Buenaventura and Quibdó. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2018;33(6):567–574.

Keywords

displacementpsychology socialqualitative researchtortureviolence
Type
Original Research
Information
Prehospital and Disaster Medicine , Volume 33 , Issue 6 , December 2018 , pp. 567 - 574
Copyright
© World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine 2018 

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Footnotes

Conflict of interest/funding: This study was made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID; Washington, DC USA) Victims of Torture Fund, contract number AID-OAA-A-10-00046. The contents are the responsibility of the Cisalva Institute of Universidad del Valle (Colombia), Heartland Alliance International (Chicago, Illinois USA), and Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore, Maryland USA) and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government. The funder did not take part of the design and conduct of the study; collection, management, analysis, and interpretation of the data; and preparation, review, or approval of the manuscript. The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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