[Community needs and resources for rural health. A qualitative descriptive study in two municipalities during the...

In Colombia, structural inequity between urban and rural population endangers health social determinants including access to health services. It is possible to strengthen rural health trough the community health cycle. The study focused on describing the health needs and community resources, identified by community members in two rural municipalities affected by armed conflict.

This qualitative descriptive study was developed with 86 community members in two rural municipalities affected by armed conflict in Colombia. We conducted thematic analysis of two group discussions and analyzed 44 participatory community health assessments documents developed in the course on management of social initiatives in health.

Inductive thematic analysis constructed main themes about health problems related to service access and quality in rural settings, as well as environmental health problems. Due to access and quality deficit in services, community members soughtother health agents, as traditional medicine holder, or informal agents. Even though selfcare traditional practices remained used in the territory, they could be confused with other misinformed practices. Health community participation was described as tokenistic due to mis-trust in government, inefficient participation mechanisms, and low sense of belonging.

Health problems still being reported in the region, associated to rural conditions and access to health services, can be addressed following the Community health cycle. Actions should involve community resources addressing mistrust and low participation of communities affected by internal armed conflict.