Assessment of cross-cultural measurement invariance of the NIH toolbox fluid cognition measures between Jamaicans and African-Americans.

The NIH Toolbox Cognitive Battery (NIHTB-CB) was developed as a common-metric, computerized cognitive screener for research. Although extensively normed and validated in Americans of different ethnicities, there is little data on how generalizable such results would be when used outside of the United States. The objective of this study was to assess measurement invariance (MI) of the NIHTB-CB across Jamaican and African-American samples and determine appropriateness of comparisons across groups.

Liver fat in adult survivors of severe acute malnutrition.

The association between severe acute malnutrition (SAM) in early childhood and liver fat in adults is unknown. We hypothesized that exposure to SAM, especially severe wasting, is associated with fatty liver later in life. In this observational study, abdominal CT was used to quantify mean liver attenuation (MLA) and liver:spleen attenuation ratio (L/S).

Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Nonobese Subjects of African Origin Has Atypical Metabolic Characteristics.

Background: Nonobese nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is reported in several populations. However, because persons of African origin display unique fat accumulation, insulin resistance, and lipid profiles, we investigated fatty liver in nonobese persons of African origin.

Method: We recruited 78 urban Jamaican volunteers.

Hand hygiene compliance by health care workers at a teaching hospital, Kingston, Jamaica.

Introduction: Consistent practice of hand hygiene (HH) has been shown to reduce the incidence and spread of hospital acquired infections. The objectives of this study were to determine the level of compliance and possible factors affecting compliance with HH practices among HCWs at a teaching hospital in Kingston, Jamaica.

Methodology: A prospective observational study was undertaken at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) over a two weeks period.

Impaired cardiovascular structure and function in adult survivors of severe acute malnutrition.

Malnutrition below 5 years remains a global health issue. Severe acute malnutrition (SAM) presents in childhood as oedematous (kwashiorkor) or nonoedematous (marasmic) forms, with unknown long-term cardiovascular consequences. We hypothesized that cardiovascular structure and function would be poorer in SAM survivors than unexposed controls.

Infection control practice in the operating room: staff adherence to existing policies in a developing country.

Context: Infection control interventions are important for containing surgery-related infections. For this reason, the modern operating room (OR) should have well-developed infection control policies. The efficacy of these policies depends on how well the OR staff adhere to them.