Nursing Seedbed works on diversity

Unfortunately, one of the most stigmatized populations when it comes to receiving healthcare services in Cundinamarca and Colombia is the LGBTQ+ community. Therefore, the "Integrative Training of Young Researchers" (FIJI) research group within the Nursing program decided to conduct a study characterizing this group in the municipality of Girardot, with the aim of collecting data to help establish public policies and promote healthcare that benefits them.

“For 12 years our research group has been interested in studying and improving the health care of adolescents and young people in the municipality. This helped us to form a multidisciplinary team of researchers with human talent, which sparked the interest of the University and the Health and Economic Development Secretariats of Girardot, with whom we have been working for three years on the characterization of the LGBTIQ population of the municipality,” explains teacher Carlota Castro Quintana, leader of the research group.

According to her, this work, which has involved conducting a census throughout the municipality, is necessary because the LGBTQ+ community is a population as vulnerable as it is diverse. “Over the years, we have identified individuals ranging from adolescents (which is our focus) to sex workers and older adults who are part of this population. We have also paid special attention to transgender women, who are one of the most vulnerable segments when it comes to receiving medical care,” says teacher Carlota.

Furthermore, the initial assessment has revealed that Girardot, due to its population density and economy, also has a transient LGBTQ+ population that travels to the municipality for weekend tourism or to study at our university. Additionally, the assessment has indicated that the majority of the LGBTQ+ community relies on informal employment, and that the subsidized healthcare system is unlikely to fully meet their needs.

“Through this information, we have been working with the mayor's office to propose public policies that improve services for the LGBTQ+ population and that are in line with the real needs of the municipality. At the moment, the administration's response is pending.” stand by, But it is important to recognize that this has not stopped our work; we continue to consult and present reports of our characterization to leaders of this community, to the LGTBIQ coordination of Girardot and to the University, from where we found a place to educate about difference,” says Professor Castro.

Furthermore, the characterization project has received financial incentives from UCundinamarca that have helped improve data collection instruments and have attracted more students interested in researching and developing their degree projects based on the healthcare needs of a vulnerable population in Colombia.

“We are encouraged to know that more and more students are interested in this project, which has grown like a snowball and is attracting the interest of young women and leaders of the LGBTQ community in Girardot; through this dynamic we are saying that we are all different and that we deserve medical attention that meets our needs, in short, inclusive care that makes a good understanding of difference,” explains teacher Carlota.

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