An Evaluation of Regional Cardiovascular Disease and Cancer Research Needs Using Conference Abstracts.

Background: Despite cardiovascular diseases and cancer being the leading causes of premature mortality in the Caribbean region, there is limited local research available to guide a comprehensive response to this epidemic.

Objective: To evaluate cardiovascular disease and cancer research in the Caribbean using abstracts presented at the Caribbean Public Health Agency's (CARPHA) meeting - the longest running annual research conference in the region.

Method: Study data (population, intervention/exposure, comparison and outcome) were extracted from abstracts published for the 2006 to 2018 meetings.

A cross-sectional analysis of investigator needs for non-communicable disease research at the University of the West Indies, Mona.

Objective: To describe the needs of academic staff conducting non-communicable disease (NCD) research at the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus in Jamaica.

Methods: Utilizing a cross-sectional design an online survey was created using the research electronic data capture application (REDCap); it was disseminated via email to 708 academic staff members in the Faculties of Medical Sciences and Science & Technology between September and November 2018. Participants were asked to indicate their level of access to expertise, training and equipment for conducting research.

Antibiotic Use in Poultry Production in Grenada.

Objective: Research is often lacking in low-income countries to substantiate the regulation of antibiotics in poultry production. Nonregulation of antibiotics in food animal industries has implications for human health. This study was conducted to provide an understanding of farmers' knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding the use of antibiotics in poultry production in Grenada.

Resistance to antimicrobial agents among Salmonella isolates recovered from layer farms and eggs in the Caribbean region.

This investigation determined the frequency of resistance of 84 isolates of Salmonella comprising 14 serotypes recovered from layer farms in three Caribbean countries (Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada, and St. Lucia) to eight antimicrobial agents, using the disc diffusion method. Resistance among isolates of Salmonella was related to the country of recovery, type of sample, size of layer farms, and isolate serotype.

Survey of Salmonella contamination in chicken layer farms in three Caribbean countries.

This study was conducted to investigate the demography, management, and production practices on layer chicken farms in Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada, and St. Lucia and the frequency of risk factors for Salmonella infection. The frequency of isolation of Salmonella from the layer farm environment, eggs, feeds, hatchery, and imported day-old chicks was determined using standard methods.

Drinking rainwater: a double-blinded, randomized controlled study of water treatment filters and gastroenteritis incidence.

Objectives: We examined whether drinking untreated rainwater, a practice that is on the rise in developed countries because of water shortages, contributes to community gastroenteritis incidence.

Methods: We conducted a double-blinded, randomized controlled trial in Adelaide, Australia. Sham or active water treatment units were installed, and participants recorded incidences of illness in a health diary for 12 months.

Effectiveness and cost of recruitment strategies for a community-based randomised controlled trial among rainwater drinkers.

Background: Community-based recruitment is challenging particularly if the sampling frame is not easily defined as in the case of people who drink rainwater. Strategies for contacting participants must be carefully considered to maximise generalisability and minimise bias of the results. This paper assesses the recruitment strategies for a 1-year double-blinded randomised trial on drinking untreated rainwater.

The Australian Electoral Commission Roll has good utility for 'niche' household recruitment in population health studies.

Objective: To investigate the recruitment of 'niche' household populations, defined by their household characteristics and/or water supply type for health studies.

Methods: The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) database was used to recruit households for participation in two health-related studies, the first, a recycled water usage study and the second, an epidemiological study investigating household rainwater use.

Results: The AEC database facilitated the identification and recruitment of households using a particular water supply from among the general household population.

Occurrence of selected foodborne pathogens on poultry and poultry giblets from small retail processing operations in Trinidad.

We conducted a study to determine quantitatively and qualitatively the presence of Campylobacter spp., Escherichia coli, staphylococci, total coliforms, total aerobic bacteria, and Salmonella on broiler carcasses from selected small retail processors in Trinidad. We used standard media and procedures for detection and quantification.

Prevalence of antimicrobial residues in table eggs in Trinidad.

The prevalence of antimicrobial residues in pooled table eggs from layer farms, shopping malls, and supermarkets in Trinidad was determined. A total of 23 layer farms and 14 shopping malls were sampled twice, 1 month apart, whereas 102 supermarkets were each sampled once. For each farm, 25 eggs were randomly collected and pooled to constitute a composite sample, whereas six eggs from each farm source available at sale outlets were randomly sampled from malls and supermarkets to constitute a composite sample.