Relationship of social and economic factors to mental disorders among population-based samples of Jamaicans and Guyanese.

Background: There have been growing concerns about increasing mental health problems in the Caribbean region. This study explores rates and factors associated with selected mental health disorders within 2 Caribbean countries: Jamaica and Guyana.

Methods: Probability samples of 1218 Jamaicans and 2068 Guyanese participants were used.

Epidemiological Features of violence-related Injuries in Jamaica.

Background: Violence-related injuries are common in Caribbean countries such as Jamaica and are a major cause of mortality and morbidity. The study examined the epidemiology of violence-related injuries and ascertained the extent to which the utilization of violence-related injury reports and surveillances inform health policy and programme planning implementation in Jamaica.

Materials And Methods: Primary data was gathered by the Ministry of Health through its Public Hospital Monthly Statistical Reporting System (HMSR) and the Jamaica Injury Surveillance System (JISS).

Tobacco-related chronic illnesses: a public health concern for Jamaica.

Background: Tobacco use is a leading cause of preventable morbidity and mortality from non-communicable diseases. The objectives of the study were to determine the percentage of annual income used to purchase tobacco-related products and treat tobacco-related illnesses, and assess the characteristics of smokers and their awareness of the health-related risks of smoking.

Method: Stratified and snowball sampling methods were used to obtain information (via a 17-item, close-ended questionnaire) from 85 adult respondents (49 males and 36 females).

Prostate cancer and metabolic syndrome: is there a link?

Metabolic syndrome has become quite prevalent within our society. Over the past two decades, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome has sharply increased worldwide and it has become a major public health problem in several countries. It is associated with the global epidemic of obesity and diabetes mellitus and imposes numerous cardiovascular risks.

Prevalence of injuries and reporting of accidents among health care workers at the University Hospital of the West Indies.

Objectives: This study investigated the knowledge, awareness and practices of health care workers towards universal precautions at the University Hospital of the West Indies. The study also examined the prevalence of injuries experienced by health care workers, as well as incidence of accidents and compliance with post-exposure prophylaxis.

Materials And Methods: A cross sectional survey was conducted in September and October 2007.

Health literacy and health seeking behavior among older men in a middle-income nation.

Health literacy is a measure of the patient's ability to read, comprehend and act on medical instructions. This research article examines health literacy and health-seeking behaviors among elderly men in Jamaica, in order to inform health policy. This is a descriptive cross-sectional study.

The church's response to sexual reproductive health issues among youths: Jamaica's experience.

This study evaluated the response of religious denominations to sexual reproductive health issues among youths using a close-ended, structured, 32-item questionnaire and an interview. The majority (71% men, 71% women) of the respondents attended church regularly; were unmarried (92% men, 83% women); were sexually active (71% men, 45% women); used drugs (65% men, 62% women). The majority of the respondents (46% men, 63% women) were reprimanded and/or ostracized by the Church.

Alternate electrification and non-potable water: A health concern for Jamaicans.

Background: Research has shown that the absence of electricity and potable water usually result in negative effects on one's health and is more likely to affect women than men.

Aim: To determine the extent to which alternate electrification and limited potable water, impacts on health.

Materials And Method: This study is informed by primary and secondary data, representing a sample size of 150 respondents (75 male and 75 female), who were interviewed via a 24-item structured interview schedule during the period 2006-2007, throughout the 14 parishes of Jamaica.

Response of patients to the introduction of a private Magnetic Resonance Imaging service in Western Jamaica.

Background: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is one of today's fastest growing imaging modalities, spurred in part by rapid advances in technology and important new applications in patient care. It was introduced in Western Jamaica in March 2005 at a non-hospital-based facility called North Coast Imaging MRI Service.

Aims: The study examined the socio-demographics, accessibility and affordability of the services to patients.

Examining health status of women in rural, peri-urban and urban areas in Jamaica.

Background: A comprehensive review of the literature revealed that less information is available in literature on health status of women, and health status of women in 3 geographical zones in Jamaica.

Aims: This study examined data on the health status of women in Jamaica in order to provide some scientific explanation of those factors that account for their health status; and differences based on area of residence.

Materials And Methods: The sub-sample for the current study was 8,541 women ages of 15 and 100 years extracted from a national survey of 25,018 respondents.

Access to contraception by minors in Jamaica: a public health concern.

Background: Access to contraceptive by minors (pre-adolescents and adolescents) has spurred policy and legislative debates, part of which is that in an effort to successfully meet government's objective of a healthy sexual lifestyle among minors.

Aims: THIS STUDY EXAMINED FACTORS AFFECTING SEXUAL REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH IN MINORS, NAMELY: access to contraceptive advice and treatment, pregnancy, number of sexual partners, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and confidentiality.

Materials And Methods: This research involved quantitative and qualitative data.