Speech-language pathology: health of ethnic populations at the Nariño Hospital Fonoaudiología: salud de las poblaciones étnicas en Hospital de Nariño

Abstract

Speech and language therapy practice is based on a solid understanding of its object of study: human communication and swallowing, their variations and disorders throughout the life cycle of individuals and population groups. The objective was to describe speech and language therapy practice in the southwestern region of the Department of Nariño, taking into account Afro-descendant, indigenous, and non-ethnic communities from February to May 2024 who attended the Departmental University Hospital of Nariño (ESE-HUDN). The methodology uses a retrospective cross-sectional approach, with a random sample of the adult and neonatal population, collecting information through the analysis of electronic medical records. The result was a total of 396 consultations, demonstrating a significant difference between the number of consultations for people without ethnic affiliation compared to those for Afro-descendant and indigenous populations. It was found that, among individuals belonging to an ethnic group, older adults and moderately to late premature infants received more medical care, with medical diagnoses that, in older adults, were reported as causes of swallowing, communication, and language disorders. In the neonatal population, diagnoses were found that underlie alterations in the coordination of sucking, swallowing, and breathing. It is concluded that it is important to continue investigating and strengthening research related to speech therapy in multiethnic territories, where strategies are proposed that respond to the specific needs of the ethnic population living in Colombia.