Medidas de salud pública en instituciones de protección a la infancia y la adolescencia en dos departamentos de Colombia durante la pandemia de COVID-19

OBJECTIVE. Analyze facilitating processes, obstacles, and effects of the implementation of non-pharmacological public health measures for the prevention of COVID-19 in child and adolescent protection centers in two departments (Antioquia and La Guajira) in Colombia during the period 2020–2021. METHODS. Mixed methods study with a convergent parallel design in 13 residential child/adolescent protection facilities in Colombia (11 in Antioquia and two in La Guajira). A questionnaire was given to 145 children and adolescents, and 23 interviews were held with persons responsible for the implementation of measures in the national family welfare system. RESULTS. The implemented non-pharmacological public health measures did not differ by department; the most complex to implement were physical distancing and restriction of family visits. CONCLUSIONS. In centers for the protection of children and adolescents in Antioquia and La Guajira, non-pharmacological public health measures helped mitigate the spread of the virus in environments considered at-risk.