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Amid the global pandemic crisis, international concern has centered on the control and prevention measures aimed at reducing the speed of the virus transmission while a more radical sanitary measure, such as vaccines, is achieved. Governmental and social efforts have had great impact on various sectors of society and their consequences have exceeded the sphere of health. This essay discusses the scope of specific measures in the sense of the appropriation of risk control measures and proposes the epidemiological method as an alternative that goes beyond the quantification of risks and the attribution of responsibilities. To conclude, the emphasis is placed on the need to promote information about socialization processes to better understand the consequences of individual acts favoring alternatives other than pandemic control based on the use of coercive measures.En medio de la crisis pandémica a nivel global, la preocupación internacional ha girado en torno a la adopción de medidas de control y prevención orientadas a la reducción de la velocidad de propagación del virus en espera de que se disponga de una medida sanitaria radical como la vacuna. El esfuerzo gubernamental y social ha tenido un gran impacto en diversos sectores de la sociedad y las consecuencias han superado el ámbito sanitario. En este ensayo se discute su alcance en el sentido de la apropiación de las medidas de control del riesgo y se propone el método epidemiológico como una alternativa que va más allá de la cuantificación de los riesgos y la atribución de responsabilidades. Por último, se plantea la necesidad de fomentar procesos de socialización de la información que ayuden a la comprensión de las consecuencias de los actos individuales y favorezcan la superación de la expectativa de control pandémico únicamente basada en el uso de medidas coercitivas.

Introduction: Rapid IgM-IgG combined antibody tests can play an important role in the COVID-19 surveillance by supporting the diagnosis of infection, assessing the immune response, and verifying the progress towards herd immunity. Objective: To evaluate the performance of rapid IgM-IgG combined antibody tests in COVID-19 occupational surveillance in a group of Colombian enterprises. Materials and methods: We used the occupational surveillance data from companies that had performed periodic serological tests on all personnel from the end of April to the beginning of July, 2020. Workers were organized in small groups (“social bubbles”) to prevent outbreaks and optimize surveillance. The sensitivity was estimated as if the sampling had a prospective design. We describe here the changes in serological testing through periodic rounds. Results: Data were obtained from 4,740 workers, of whom only 23 were symptomatic showing changes from IgM(-)/IgG(-) to IgM(+) and then to IgM(+)/IgG(+) and IgG(+). The sensitivity was 40.94% for IgM(+) and 47.95% for IgM(+)/IgG(+). This implies that a little less than half of the cases can be detected. Conclusion: Antibody rapid tests have a role in the diagnostic process of infection and they must be evaluated taking into account the moment of the epidemic, the type of test purchased, and the populations at risk since their results depend on the number of infections and cases. In the context of a health crisis, they can be optimized by organizing workers into “social bubbles”Introducción. Las pruebas combinadas de IgM e IgG rápidas pueden tener un papel importante en la vigilancia de la COVID-19 y en su diagnóstico, así como en la evaluación de la respuesta inmunológica y la verificación de los avances hacia la inmunidad de rebaño. Objetivo. Evaluar el desempeño de las pruebas rápidas de anticuerpos en la vigilancia ocupacional de la COVID-19 en un grupo de empresas colombianas. Materiales y métodos. Se usaron datos de la vigilancia ocupacional de empresas que hicieron pruebas serológicas periódicas a todo el personal desde finales de abril hasta comienzos de julio de 2020. Los trabajadores laboraban en grupos pequeños ("burbujas sociales") para evitar brotes y optimizar la vigilancia. La sensibilidad se estimó como si el muestreo respondiera a un diseño prospectivo. Se describieron, asimismo, los cambios en las pruebas serológicas por medio de rondas periódicas. Resultados. Se obtuvieron datos de 4.740 trabajadores, de los cuales solo 23 eran sintomáticos. En ellos se evidenciaron cambios de IgM(-)/IgG(-) a IgM(+), y luego a IgM(+)/IgG(+) e IgG(+). La sensibilidad fue de 40,94 % para las IgM(+) y 47,95 % para las IgM(+)/IgG(+), lo que implica que se pudo detectar un poco menos de la mitad de los casos. Conclusión. Las pruebas rápidas de anticuerpos tienen un papel en el proceso diagnóstico de la infección y deben evaluarse teniendo en cuenta el momento de la epidemia, el tipo de prueba comprada y las poblaciones de riesgo, dado que sus resultados dependen del número de contagios y de casos. En el contexto de la presente crisis sanitaria pueden optimizarse si se organizan los trabajadores en "burbujas sociales".

BackgroundThe current SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has especially affected individuals living in conglomerate settings having poverty as common characteristic. However, evidence of the association between COVID-19 severity and social determinants is still scarce, particularly, for Latin American countries. The objective was to assess the effect of socioeconomic deprivation in the clinical severity of COVID-19 infection among different localities of Bogotá, Colombia.MethodsSecondary analyses using data of SARS-CoV-2 infected cases in Bogotá from 6 March 2020 to 19 April 2020 were carried out. Direct and indirect indicators of deprivation at area level and individual demographic characteristics (age, sex and type of case) were included in the analyses.Findings1684 COVID-19 cases were included in the study. There were 217 (12.9%; 95% CI 11.3 to 14.5) serious cases, of which 32.6% (95% CI 26.4 to 38.8) cases were deceased. In the multilevel logistic regression, age, sex (female), type of case (different of imported case), number of serious cases recorded the previous day and multidimensional poverty were associated with serious cases (median OR: 1.72, 95% CI 1.56 to 1.87).InterpretationThis paper explored the association between COVID-19 severity and social determinants. Expressions of poverty were associated with more severe cases during first 2 months of pandemic. It is a clear syndemic for the joint presentation of COVID-19 and other comorbidities among more serious cases.

ResumenInvestigar factores asociados al resultado visual después de tres meses de cirugía refractiva con LASEK.Materiales y métodosEstudio retrospectivo observacional, analítico de casos y controles de base hospitalaria, realizado en el Instituto de Córnea, en Bogotá, Colombia, con un total de 140 pacientes con cirugía refractiva LASEK distribuidos en 70 casos y 70 controles. Los parámetros evaluados en el prequirúrgico fueron sexo, edad, presión intraocular, histéresis corneal, grosor corneal, equivalente esférico, en el quirúrgico como ablación corneal y en el posquirúrgico equivalente esférico, presión intraocular, queratometría y complicaciones oculares.ResultadosEl 66.43% (n=93) de los pacientes eran mujeres y el 33.57% (n=47) hombres; la edad promedio fue de 33 años, con un mínimo de 20 años y un máximo de 54 años. Se diagnosticó miopía en el 17.86% (n=25) de los casos y astigmatismo miópico en el 82.14% (n=115). Equivalente esférico −2.82 DE 1.18 en el prequirúrgico. Durante la intervención se ocluyó el punto lagrimal al 92.14% (n=129). Al siguiente día de la intervención el 16.43% (n=23) de los pacientes presentaron dolor, con una epitelización corneal completa al siguiente día del 14.29% (n=20). El 1.43% (n=2) presentó turbidez epitelial (haze) y el 10.71% (n=15) complicaciones oculares relacionadas con ardor ocular y sensación de sequedad ocular. El modelo de regresión logística reveló que, después de ajustar por oclusión del punto lagrimal, presión intraocular y cantidad de cilindro prequirúrgico, las variables se mantuvieron significativas (p˂0.05).ConclusionesLa oclusión del punto lagrimal durante la intervención con LASEK puede mejorar el resultado visual transcurridos tres meses después de la cirugía. La presión intraocular y la cantidad de cilindro son factores asociados a este desenlace.AbstractTo investigate factors associated with visual result after three months of refractive surgery LASEK.Materials and methodsobservational, analytical retrospective case-control study of hospital-based, conducted at the Institute of Cornea in Bogota - Colombia, with a total of 140 patients with refractive surgery LASEK in 70 cases and 70 controls. Parameters in the presurgical as sex, age, intraocular pressure, corneal hysteresis, corneal thickness, spherical equivalent, in the surgical corneal ablation and as postsurgical spherical equivalent, intraocular pressure, eye complications keratometry and were evaluated.Results66.43% (n=93) were female and 33.57% (n=47) men, the average age was 33 years, a minimum of 20 years and maximum of 54 years. Diagnosed with myopia in 17.86% (n=25) and myopic astigmatism in 82.14% (n=115). -2.82 Spherical equivalent of 1.18 in the preoperative. During the intervention the punctal occluded was to 92.14% (n=129). The day after surgery the 16.43% (n=23) had pain with a full corneal epithelialization the day after the 14.29% (n=20). The 1.43% (n=2) had epithelial turbidity (haze) and 10.71% (n=15) related eye complications and ocular burning sensation of dry eye. The logistic regression model revealed that after adjusting for punctal occlusion, intraocular pressure and amount of preoperative cylinder, these variables remained significant (p

The pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-Cov-2) has led to the elaboration of multiple studies to increase knowledge and understanding, hence, having the ability to accomplish an adequate and timely diagnosis and give an optimal treatment according to the patient's condition. The clinical manifestations of COVID-19 pose a series of challenges both in understanding and delimiting the disease secondary to the SARS-CoV-2 infection. This is due to the fact that the main axis of this disease is the endothelial compromise and the production of a "cytokine storm," triggering multiple organ failure and death. Given that a complete understanding of its pathophysiology and clinical behavior has not yet been achieved, we wondered if coinfection with other respiratory viruses modifies its performance and outcomes described so far. A literature search was performed, obtaining 68 articles, of which 25 were analyzed. The analysis showed us that there is a high variety both in the types of associated infections and in the clinical behavior of patients and their outcomes. Therefore, we consider that the search for other infections should be performed exhaustively, especially in those cases that may be susceptible to treatment such as Influenza A, human immunodeficiency virus, or bacterial infections. As well as optimize the analysis of these cases and establish if there are characteristics that allow establishing the possibility of carrying an additional infection to that of SARS-CoV-2 and the implications for the management and prognosis of the patient.

Objectives The objectives of the study were to estimate the prevalence of different clinical signs of trachoma and identify possible factors associated with TF. Methodology Following the approval of the study protocol by the ethics committee, a cross-sectional study was conducted in Vaupes, a department of the Colombian Amazon, between the years 2012 and 2013 in two districts. Based on the records obtained from a standardized format for the clinical evaluation of the participants and the factors associated with follicular trachoma, an excel database was built and debugged, which was analyzed using IBM SPSS, Statistics Version 23 and Stata STATA (Version 14, 2015, StataCorp LLC, Texas, USA). Results The records of 13,091 individuals was collected from 216 rural indigenous communities, of which 12,080 were examined (92.3%); 7,274 in the Western and 4,806 in the Eastern districts. A prevalence of trachomatous inflammation–follicular (TF) of 21.7% (n = 599; 95% CI 20.2–23.3) in the Western and 24.9% (n = 483; 95% CI 23.1–26.9) in the Eastern district was found in children aged 1 to 9 years. Regarding trachomatous trichiasis (TT), 77 cases were found, of which 14 belonged to the Western district (prevalence 0.3%, CI 95% 0.2–0.5) and 63 to the Eastern district (1.8%, CI 95% 1.4–2.4). Children aged between 1 to 9 years were significantly more likely to have TF when there was the presence of secretions on the face (OR: 3.2; 95% CI: 2.6–3.9). Conclusions Trachoma is a public health problem in Vaupes that requires the implementation of the SAFE strategy (S = Surgery, A = Antibiotics, F = Face Washing, E = Environment) in the Eastern and Western districts, for at least 3 consecutive years, in accordance with WHO recommendations.

espanolLa ley de Benford o de los “primeros digitos” ha sido usada exitosamente para evaluar los sistemas de vigilancia epidemiologica, en especial durante epidemias. Los metodos estadisticos convencionales para la evaluacion (x2y razon de log-verosimilitud) son controversiales cuando los datos son poco (n EnglishBenford or “first digit” law has been used successfully to evaluate epidemiological surveillance systems, especially during epidemics. Conventional statistical methods for evaluation (x2 and log-likelihood ratio) are controversial when the number of data is small (n

The great concern stemming from the current COVID-19 pandemic has been a challenge for governments and international organizations around the world. Likewise, the diagnosis has played an important role in the prioritization processes, in particular, for the identification and follow-up of cases. In this context, PCR and serological tests have become the international standard; however, some limitations, as well as the scope of these techniques, must be understood in terms of population numbers. This comment seeks to clarify the interpretation of the results of these tests from a public health perspective.

Background Whereas most studies have focused on how the religious beliefs positively interfere with the presence or execution of suicidal behaviors, few have identified differences among religious beliefs and how these can not only be consider as a protective factor for suicide, but also as a variable that influences the expression of the suicidal related behaviors. Objective To provide evidence about the effect of religious practices and beliefs on suicidal behavior in cancer patients in Colombia. Methods This is a hospital-based cross-sectional study with a sample of 132 patients with cancer. Socio-demographic data were measured, in which the religious affiliation was included. The instruments used include the Scale of Suicidal Ideation (SSI), the item 9 of Beck Depression Scale (BDI-IA) and the Beck Hopelessness Inventory (BHS). Results In our study, 93% of the patients had advanced stages of cancer, where 51.52% of them were in stage IV. Cancer patients who reported non-Catholic Christians were 3 and 4 times more likely to have some manifestation of suicidal behavior. Conclusions It is recognized in non-Catholic Christians patients a greater chance to express suicidal ideation, which could be related to their level of suicide acceptability. It is considered that religion and their perception of death affects the expression and acceptance of suicidal ideation, reason why it is necessary more research on the effect of different religions on suicidal behavior, in order to include these aspects in the patient intervention.

ResumenLa prevalencia de miopía varía en las diferentes poblaciones del mundo y la incidencia aumenta de una forma acelerada, motivo por el cual los defectos refractivos se convierten en un problema de salud pública, con un impacto económico y social.La progresión de la miopía puede desencadenar cambios patológicos en el globo ocular que afectan estructuras como el cristalino, la retina, la coroides y la mácula. Estos cambios degenerativos constituyen la causa más frecuente de pérdida de visión y se relacionan con un incremento en los valores refractivos, que ascienden desde la infancia hasta la adultez.El desarrollo y progresión se relacionan con un componente genético y hereditario, sin embargo, hay una compleja interacción con factores externos, los cuales podrían explicar el incremento de casos en algunas poblaciones, en donde se perciben aumentos de urbanización y la necesidad por alcanzar altos niveles de educación. Además, otros factores ambientales como destinar mayor tiempo a actividades al aire libre puede ser un hábito favorable para evitar la aparición de la enfermedad.AbstractThe prevalence of myopia varies in different populations in the world and the incidence increases in an accelerated manner, why refractive defects becomes a public health problem, with an economic and social impact.The progression of myopia can trigger pathological changes in the eyeball, affecting structures such as the lens, retina, choroid and macula. These degenerative changes are the most common cause of vision loss and are associated with an increase in refractive values that rise from childhood to adulthood.The development and progression are related to a genetic and hereditary component, however there is a complex interaction with external factors, which could explain the increase in cases among some populations, where increased urbanization and the need is perceived to achieve high levels of education. In addition, other environmental factors such as spend more time in the outdoors can be a favorable habit to prevent the onset of disease.

Objective To assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on routine childhood vaccination coverage in Colombia by age group, rural/urban residence, state and vaccine type. Design Ecological study of official monthly vaccination records. Setting Vaccination records from the Colombian Ministry of Health (March–October 2019 and 2020). Participants Aggregated data for Colombian children (, This population-based study showed that during the first six months of the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a 14% absolute reduction in early childhood immunizations among Columbian children compared to the same period during 2019. Children living in rural regions of Columbia were disproportionately affected.

Introduction: People living with HIV/AIDS in developing countries tend to have a lower quality of life and less social support compared with those in developed countries. Objective: To explore the association between affective social support or social support generating confidence and each dimension of the quality of life related to health among people with HIV/AIDS from Bogota. Materials and methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of people living with HIV/AIDS using convenience sampling of a care program in a hospital network in Bogota. The quality of life questionnaire SF36 and the generic social support questionnaire Duke-UNC-11 were used, along with linear regression models for the analyses. Results: There was a direct relationship between the emotional well-being dimension of quality of life and the social support systems of affectivity (s =7.36;95% CI: 1.04; 13.68) and those generating confidence (s =11.63;95% CI: 5.30; 17.96). There was a correlation between the dimensions of physical function, emotional performance, pain, and perceived affective social support. Likewise, we detected relations between the perception of social support generating confidence and the dimensions of vitality and social function. Contrarily, we found an inverse relationship between the averages of the dimension of emotional performance and the perceived affective social support, as well as between the dimension of physical performance and general health with social support generating confidence. Conclusions: Subjects with higher levels of social support had higher levels of quality of life related to health. This finding offers an opportunity for the design and implementation of healthcare plans that incorporate clinical, para-clinical and environmental variables of the patient.

This study aimed to identify the main regional factors associated with variations in the prevalence of functional limitation on the older adult in Colombia adjusted by individual characteristics. This multilevel study used cross-sectional data from 23,694 adults over 60 years of age in the SABE, Colombia nationwide survey. State-level factors (poverty, development, inequity, violence, health coverage, and access to improved water sources), as well as individual health related, socioeconomic and demographic characteristics, were analyzed. The overall prevalence of functional impairment for the basic activities of daily living (ADL) was 22%. The presence of comorbidities, low educational level, physical inactivity, no participation in social groups, mistreatment and being over 75 years old were associated with functional limitation. At the group level, the analysis showed significant differences in the functional limitation prevalence across states, particularly regarding the socioeconomic status measured according to the Human Development Index (median OR = 1.22; 95%CI: 1.13-1.30; p = 0.011). This study provides evidence on the impact of socioeconomic variation across states on FL prevalence in the Colombian elderly once adjusted for individual characteristics. The findings of this study, through a multilevel approach methodology, provide information to effectively address the conditions that affect the functionality in this population through the identification and prioritization of public health care in groups with economic and health vulnerability. Resumen: Este estudio tuvo por objetivo identificar los principales factores regionales, asociados con variaciones en la prevalencia de la limitación funcional en adultos mayores en Colombia, ajustados por características individuales. Este estudio multinivel usó datos transversales de 23.694 adultos, con más de 60 años de edad, en el SABE, encuesta nacional colombiana. Los factores nacionales (pobreza, desarrollo, inequidad, violencia, cobertura sanitaria, y acceso a fuentes mejoradas de agua), así como en relación con su salud individual, al igual que se analizaron las características socioeconómicas y demográficas. La prevalencia general de discapacidad funcional para las actividades básicas de la vida diaria (ABVD) fue de un 22%. La presencia de comorbilidades, bajo nivel educacional, inactividad física, la no participación en grupos sociales, maltrato y tener más de 75 años de edad estuvo asociado con la limitación funcional. En el nivel del grupo, el análisis mostró significativas diferencias respecto a la prevalencia de limitación funcional, a través de los diferentes estados, particularmente en lo referente al estatus socioeconómico, medido según el Índice de Desarrollo Humano (OR mediano = 1,22; IC95%: 1,13-1,30; p = 0,011). Este estudio proporciona evidencia sobre el impacto de la variación socioeconómica a través de los estados sobre la prevalencia de limitación funcional en los ancianos colombianos, una vez ajustadas las características individuales. Los resultados de este estudio, mediante una metodología de aproximación multinivel, proporcionan información con el fin de orientar efectivamente sobre las condiciones que afectan la funcionalidad de este tipo de población, mediante la identificación y priorización de los cuidados en la salud pública con grupos vulnerables económicamente y desde la perspectiva de la salud. Resumo: O estudo teve como objetivo identificar os principais fatores regionais associados a variações na prevalência de limitação funcional na população idosa colombiana, ajustada por fatores individuais. O estudo multinível usou dados transversais de 23.694 adultos com mais de 60 anos de idade do estudo SABE colombiano. Foram analisados fatores de nível estadual (índices de pobreza, desenvolvimento, inequidade, violência, cobertura de saúde e acesso a água potável) e fatores individuais (sociodemográficos e de saúde). A prevalência global de comprometimento funcional nas atividades de vida diária (AVD) foi de 22%. A presença de comorbidades, escolaridade baixa, sedentarismo, falta de participação em grupos sociais, maus tratos e idade acima de 75 anos estiveram associados à limitação funcional. Em nível de grupo, a análise mostrou diferenças significativas na prevalência de limitação funcional entre os estados, particularmente quanto à condição socioeconômica, medida pelo Índice de Desenvolvimento Humano (OR médio = 1,22; IC95%: 1,13-1,30; p = 0,011). O estudo oferece evidências do impacto da variação socioeconômica entre estados na prevalência de limitação funcional nos idosos colombianos depois de ajustar por fatores individuais. Através de uma metodologia multinível, os achados fornecem informações para tratar efetivamente as condições que afetam a funcionalidade dessa população idosa através da identificação e priorização dos cuidados de saúde em grupos com vulnerabilidade econômica e sanitária.

Introducción. El dengue es la principal arbovirosis en el mundo. En Paraguay reapareció en 1988-1989, y en el 2011 se produjo uno de los mayores brotes epidémicos. Objetivo. Evaluar el desempeño del sistema de vigilancia epidemiológica del dengue en Paraguay entre 2009 y 2011. Materiales y métodos. Se hizo un estudio ecológico basado en datos secundarios de la vigilancia epidemiológica. Con base en la distribución esperada según la ley de Benford, se analizaron los casos notificados de la enfermedad; para tal fin, se usaron los primeros y segundos dígitos de los registros globales y estratificados por regiones, estaciones, densidad poblacional, indicadores de las condiciones de la vivienda y número de cabezas de ganado bovino. Resultados. El sistema de vigilancia epidemiológica se desempeñó mejor durante los periodos no epidémicos, y en los departamentos donde existen mejores condiciones de vivienda y pocas cabezas de ganado bovino. Conclusión. Dadas las diferencias de desempeño, se recomendó que el sistema mantenga la alerta incluso cuando no se espere un mayor número de casos. El método propuesto para evaluar la notificación de casos es fácil de transferir al personal operativo. RESUMEN Introduction: Dengue is the most widespread arbovirus worldwide. In Paraguay, it reappeared in 1988-1989, with one of the largest epidemic outbreaks occurring in 2011. Objective: To evaluate the performance of the dengue epidemiological surveillance system in Paraguay between 2009 and 2011. Materials and methods: We conducted an ecological study with secondary epidemiological surveillance data. We analyzed notified cases of the disease based on the distribution expected by Benford's law. To this end, we used the first and second digits from the global records stratified by region, season, population density, indicators of housing conditions and heads of cattle. Results: The epidemiological surveillance system performed better during non-epidemic periods and in the states with better housing conditions and fewer heads of cattle. Conclusion: Given that a difference in the performance existed, we recommended that the system remains operating at the same high alert level even during periods when fewer cases are expected. The technology used by the method proposed to monitor the notification of cases is easy to transfer to operational staff.

Multilevel studies have gained importance for highlighting social inequalities in health. These associations have been reported previously in diseases such as arthritis and chronic pain. We conducted a cross-sectional study using multilevel analysis to identify individual and contextual factors associated with the variation of prevalence of osteoarthritis (OA) in the Mexican population. The sample included 17,566 individuals of which 10,666 (60.7 %) were women. The relationship between individual and contextual factors and OA were analyzed with a multilevel strategy. From the total population, 1,681 individuals had OA. Multilevel analysis showed that individual variables such as female gender (odds ratio (OR) = 1.3, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.1, 1.4), age range 55–65 years (OR = 1.6, 95 % CI 1.3, 2.0), musculoskeletal pain in the last 7 days (OR = 2.6, 95 % CI 2.3, 3.0), and use of pain treatments (OR = 1.4, 95 % CI 1.2, 1.7) were associated with OA. At the regional level, the Social Gap Index (SGIx) was associated with the diagnosis of OA (coefficient 0.5, 95 % CI 0.2–1.1). The SGIx contextual variable was positively associated with the regional prevalence of OA and the variation in prevalence of OA in different regions. The larger the social gap, the greater the variation in OA prevalence. These factors were independently associated with the prevalence of OA: female gender, pain intensity, physical limitation, and the use of pain treatments were individual variables associated with OA. The association between OA prevalence and regional variations with SGIx reflects inequities in health provisions that should be considered in health programs.

Introducción. La pandemia de COVID es un desafío para la vigilancia en salud pública y una oportunidad para evaluar sus fortalezas y debilidades en aras de mejorar la respuesta.Objetivo. Evaluar el desempeño del sistema de vigilancia en salud pública colombiano durante los primeros 50 días de la pandemia de COVID-19 en el país.Materiales y métodos. Se analizaron los datos publicados entre el 6 de marzo y el 24 de abril de 2020 por el Instituto Nacional de Salud y la Organización Mundial de Salud (OMS). Se consideraron en la evaluación: i) la calidad de los datos según la ley de Benford y ii) la oportunidad de la información, medida como la diferencia en fechas entre los datos generados en el Instituto Nacional de Salud y los recogidos en el informe situacional de la OMS. La variabilidad en el cumplimiento de la ley de Benford se evaluó con los valores de p en las pruebas de razón del logaritmo de la verosimilitud, ji al cuadrado o exacta de Moreno.Resultados. Hasta el 24 de abril hubo 4.881 casos de COVID-19 en Colombia. En la mayoría de los primeros 50 días se cumplió la ley de Benford, excepto en los primeros días de la epidemia. La diferencia entre los informes del Instituto Nacional de Salud y la OMS ha dependido, en gran medida, de la diferencia en los horarios de cierre de la información.Conclusión. En general, el sistema de vigilancia en salud pública colombiano cumplió con la ley de Benford, lo cual sugiere que hubo calidad en los datos. En futuros estudios que comparen el desempeño de los departamentos y distritos se podrá mejorar el diagnóstico de la vigilancia en salud pública del país.