Prevalence and correlates of alcohol use among the elderly in the Eastern Caribbean Health Outcomes Research Network (ECHORN) cohort study.

Background: Alcohol use is pervasive in the Caribbean; however, the prevalence and correlates of alcohol use and drinking problems in the elderly have not been extensively studied.

Methods: Data were obtained from the Eastern Caribbean Health Outcomes Research Network (ECHORN) Cohort Study, a cohort study of Caribbean people from Puerto Rico, Barbados, Trinidad, and Tobago, and the U.S.

Consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and T2D diabetes in the Eastern Caribbean.

Objective: Sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) are implicated in the increasing risk of diabetes in the Caribbean. Few studies have examined associations between SSB consumption and diabetes in the Caribbean.

Design: SSB was measured as teaspoon/d using questions from the National Cancer Institute Dietary Screener Questionnaire about intake of soda, juice and coffee/tea during the past month.

Perceptions of the local food environment and fruit and vegetable intake in the Eastern Caribbean Health Outcomes research Network (ECHORN) Cohort study.

Introduction: Studies conducted in the US and other high-income countries show that the local food environment influences dietary intakes that are protective for cardiovascular health.However, few studies have examined this relationship in the Caribbean. This study aimed to determine whether perceptions of the local food environment were associated with fruit and vegetable (FV) intake in the Eastern Caribbean, where daily FV intake remains below recommended levels.

COVID-19 Vaccine Intent Among Health Care Professionals of Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Barbados.

Introduction: Due to increased exposure risk and the potential impact of COVID-19 infection, health care professionals (HCP) are a target group for COVID-19 vaccination. This study aimed to examine the acceptability of COVID-19 vaccines among HCP at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Barbados.

Design And Methods: A cross-sectional survey of HCP was conducted between February 14 and 27, 2021 using an online questionnaire.

Glycemic control and management of cardiovascular risk factors among adults with diabetes in the Eastern Caribbean Health Outcomes Research Network (ECHORN) Cohort Study.

Aims: To determine the level of glycemic control and cardiovascular (CVD) risk among adults with diabetes in the Eastern Caribbean.

Methods: Baseline data from the Eastern Caribbean Health Outcomes Research Network (ECHORN) Cohort Study (ECS) were used for the analysis. ECS participants were 40 years of age and older, residing in the US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Trinidad, or Barbados.

Anthropometric measures of obesity and associated cardiovascular disease risk in the Eastern Caribbean Health Outcomes Research Network (ECHORN) Cohort Study.

Background: Accurately defining obesity using anthropometric measures that best capture obesity-related risk is important for identifying high risk groups for intervention. The purpose of this study is to compare the association of different anthropometric measures of obesity with 10-year cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in adults in the Eastern Caribbean.

Methods: Data from the Eastern Caribbean Health Outcomes Research Network (ECHORN) Cohort Study (ECS) were analyzed.

Use of an Adaptive e-Learning Platform as a Formative Assessment Tool in the Cardiovascular System Course Component of an MBBS Programme.

Background: Technology-enhanced learning includes the adaptive e-learning platform, a data-driven method with computer algorithms, providing customised learning enhancing critical thinking of individual learners. "Firecracker" - an online adaptive e-learning platform, and assessment software, promotes critical thinking, helps prepare students for courses and high-stakes examinations, and evaluates progress relative to co-learners. The objectives of this study were to determine the usage rates of Firecracker, examine the performance of Firecracker formative quizzes, identify the correlation between Firecracker use and performance with that of performance at summative course assessments, and assess students' satisfaction with Firecracker usage.

Disparity in biomedical publication trends in the CARICOM countries: Is there a need for a more vibrant research culture in the region?

Background: Biomedical research and publications provide evidence-based information about the extent and burden of health-related problems of a country and help to formulate strategic and operational plans to tackle the problems.

Purpose: To determine the biomedical publication rates of CARICOM full member countries.

Methods: Biomedical publications of full member CARICOM countries were retrieved using PubMed (1990-2015) and SCImago Journal & Country Rank (1996-2015) databases.

Management Of Chronic Noncommunicable Diseases After Natural Disasters In The Caribbean: A Scoping Review.

Extreme weather events in the Caribbean region are becoming increasingly severe because of climate change. The region also has high rates of poorly controlled chronic noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), which were responsible for at least 30 percent of deaths after two recent hurricanes. We conducted a scoping review of literature published between 1974 and 2020 to understand the burden and management of chronic NCDs in the Caribbean after natural disasters.

Egocentric Health Networks and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in the ECHORN Cohort Study.

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the Caribbean region.

Objective: This study explored the concept of a health network, relationships focused on health-related matters, and examined associations with CVD risk factors in the Eastern Caribbean.

Design: The Eastern Caribbean Health Outcomes Research Network Cohort Study is an ongoing longitudinal cohort being conducted in the US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Trinidad and Tobago, and Barbados.

An evaluative study of objective structured clinical examination (OSCE): students and examiners perspectives.

The objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) is the gold standard and universal format to assess the clinical competence of medical students in a comprehensive, reliable and valid manner. The clinical competence is assessed by a team of many examiners on various stations of the examination. Therefore, it is found to be a more complex, resource- and time-intensive assessment exercise compared to the traditional examinations.

Teaching anatomy using an active and engaging learning strategy.

Background: Various evidence-based and student-centered strategies such as team-based learning (TBL), case-based learning (CBL), and flipped classroom have been recently applied to anatomy education and have shown to improve student engagement and interaction. These strategies shift the focus of teaching from knowledge transmission to knowledge construction by students and encourage the use of tasks. This study discusses the use of an active and engaging learning strategy to teach the musculoskeletal system to Year 1 MBBS students (Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill, Barbados) and examines the correlation between assessment modalities and student performance.

Barbados Insulin Matters (BIM) study: Perceptions on insulin initiation by primary care doctors in the Caribbean island of Barbados.

Aims: With regards to insulin initiation in Barbados we explored primary care doctor (PCD) perception, healthcare system factors and predictors of PCD reluctance to initiate insulin.

Methods: PCDs completed a questionnaire based on the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) and a reluctance to initiate insulin scale. Using linear regression, we explored the association between TPB domains and the reluctance to initiate insulin scale.