A grounded theory exploration of the enablers and barriers of public healthcare access for people with comorbid serious mental and chronic physical illnesses in Jamaica.

Chronic physical illnesses (CPI) are highly prevalent among people with serious mental illnesses (PWSMI) yet people in this population experience significant challenges accessing healthcare. This study utilised a constructivist grounded theory approach to collect and analyse data related to the enablers and barriers to public healthcare access for PWSMI & CPI. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews conducted with fifty-seven participants comprising PWSMI &CPI and their caregivers, health policymakers, primary care physicians, psychiatrists, and mental health nurses.

Drug driving: a secondary analysis of factors associated with driving under the influence of cannabis in Jamaica.

Objectives: To determine cannabis use patterns, the predictive sociodemographic correlates of driving under the influence of cannabis (DUIC) and the association between risk perception and cannabis dependence among vehicle drivers in Jamaica.

Design: Secondary data analysis.

Setting: Used the Jamaica National Drug Prevalence Survey 2016 dataset.

A qualitative exploration of the health system responses to the screening and management of comorbid mental illness and chronic physical illness in Jamaica.

Background: People with comorbid mental illness (MI) and chronic physical illness (CPI) face a range of health and quality of life challenges. The appropriate screening and management of comorbid MI and CPI are crucial to improving outcomes for this population. Despite this, there is a dearth of research exploring the health system response to the screening and management of patients with these comorbidities in public primary care settings, in several jurisdictions including Jamaica.

Investigating the associations of age of initiation and other psychosocial factors of singular alcohol, tobacco and marijuana usage on polysubstance use: analysis of a population-based survey in Jamaica.

Objectives: This study aimed to examine concurrent polysubstance use of alcohol, tobacco and marijuana and determine correlations with access to marijuana, friend and familial drug use habits, risk perception and the age of initiation associated with the singular use of these substances.

Design: A secondary data analysis.

Setting: Used the Jamaica National Drug Prevalence Survey 2016 dataset.

Drunk driving: a secondary analysis of factors associated with driving under the influence of alcohol in Jamaica.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of alcohol use patterns, sociodemographic factors and risk of alcohol dependence among vehicle drivers in Jamaica.

Design: A secondary data analysis.

Setting: This study was conducted using the Jamaica National Drug Prevalence Survey 2016 dataset.

Potency trends of cannabis in Jamaica during the period of 2014 to 2020.

Reports suggest that cannabis potency has dramatically increased over the last decade in the USA and Europe. Cannabinoids are the terpeno-phenolic compounds found in the cannabis plant and are responsible for its pharmacological activity. The two most prominent cannabinoids are delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ THC) and cannabidiol (CBD).

Prevalence, perceived risk and associated factors of tobacco use amongst young, middle-aged and older adults: analysis of a national survey in Jamaica.

Introduction: tobacco smoking remains a significant threat to public health. This paper sought to examine the prevalence, perceived risk and the associated factors of current tobacco use amongst Jamaican adults.

Methods: this study is a secondary data analysis of the Jamaican National Household Survey 2016.

Neighborhoods and adolescent polysubstance use in Jamaica.

Background: The purpose of this study was to identify latent classes of polysubstance use among adolescents in Jamaica and the role of neighborhood factors in the association with polysubstance use class membership.

Methods: This secondary analysis utilized a national cross-sectional household drug use survey conducted across 357 households in Jamaica (April 2016-July 2016) among a total of 4,625 individuals. A total of 750 adolescents (11-17 years) were included in this analysis.

Prevalence and sociodemographic factors associated with polysubstance use: analysis of a population-based survey in Jamaica.

Background: In Latin America and the Caribbean, there is a dearth of research exploring polysubstance use. This study aims to determine the prevalence, varying combinations and associated sociodemographic characteristics of polysubstance use in Jamaica.

Methods: This study involved a secondary data analysis of the Jamaica National Drug Prevalence Survey 2016 dataset where 4,623 participants between the age of 12 and 65 years from each household were randomly selected as respondents.

Form and content of Jamaican cannabis edibles.

Background: In 2017, the Jamaican government banned the sale of cannabis-infused edibles after reports of over-intoxication in adults and children. There is a general lack of public awareness regarding the risk involved with edible dosage. Vandrey et al.

Cross-sectional mixed-methods study protocol exploring the enablers and barriers for people with severe and enduring mental illness in Jamaica when accessing healthcare for chronic physical illness.

Introduction: Extant international research suggests that people with severe and enduring mental illness (PWSEMI) experience increased rates of chronic physical illness (CPI), reduced life expectancy and higher mortality than those in the general population. The high prevalence of CPI among PWSEMI is associated with a number of barriers that this population experiences when accessing physical healthcare. Although substantial research has been conducted in North America, Europe and Australia, there appears to be a paucity of research exploring CPI among PWSEMI in the Caribbean region, although this region has reported very high rates of non-communicable diseases within its populations.

Jamaican adolescents' receptiveness to digital mental health services: A cross-sectional survey from rural and urban communities.

Background: Improving access to mental health resources for young people is an urgent healthcare challenge. As the majority of youth live in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) mental ill health can exert substantial adverse impacts on societies that can least afford it. Digital mental health technologies might help close the treatment gap but we need to understand barriers to implementing these strategies, especially in resource constrained contexts such as LMICs.

Neighborhood crime, disorder and substance use in the Caribbean context: Jamaica National Drug Use Prevalence Survey 2016.

The purpose of the study was to examine the role of objective and subjective measures of neighborhood crime and disorder on substance use among a nationally representative sample of 4525 Jamaicans aged 12-65 years. Log-Poisson models with generalized estimating equations were used to estimate relative risks (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). A test of interaction was used to determine presence of effect modification by sex.

Is sense of belonging at school associated with cannabis use among secondary school students in Barbados?

The objective of this study was to assess whether students' sense of belonging at school was associated with cannabis use among secondary school students in Barbados. This was a cross-sectional study involving a nationally representative weighted sample of 8,538 students drawn from 2 to 6 forms across public and private secondary schools in Barbados in 2013. Descriptive and inferential statistics was performed using SPSS.

Blood Pressure Screening Campaign in Jamaica: May Measurement Month 2017.

Background: Hypertension (HTN) is responsible for a significant disease burden in Jamaica. We are reporting the results of the 2017 blood pressure (BP) screening campaign May Measurement Month in Jamaica that aimed to increase the awareness of HTN.

Methods: Adults, 18 years old and older, from different parishes of Jamaica were invited to participate during May to June 2017.

Nurses' perception of preparedness for moving mental health care from psychiatric to general hospitals in Jamaica.

Objectives: To examine nurses' perception of readiness to care for patients with mental illness at two general hospitals in St. Catherine, Jamaica.

Methods: This mixed-methods, cross-sectional study was conducted among nurses on the medical wards of two hospitals.

Patterns of depressive symptoms among younger elderly (60-74 years old) and older elderly (≥75 years old) in Jamaica.

Objectives: We sought to explore factors associated with depressive symptom severity among older persons (≥60 years of age) and to compare the depressive symptoms commonly experienced by older elderly (≥75 years) with those commonly experienced by younger elderly (<75 years).

Design: Secondary analysis was conducted on data from a nationally representative survey.

Setting: Four parishes in Jamaica.

Risperidone Provides Better Improvement of Sleep Disturbances Than Haloperidol Therapy in Schizophrenia Patients With Cannabis-Positive Urinalysis.

A high percentage of persons with Schizophrenia also uses and this may potentially alter the therapeutic benefits of the antipsychotic medications prescribed. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of usage on antipsychotic therapy of sleep disturbances in schizophrenia subjects. Male subjects, ≥18 years, admitted to the University Hospital of the West Indies psychiatric ward between October 2015 and October 2016, and diagnosed with schizophrenia were recruited for the study.

Parental Alcohol Drinking Habit as a Predictor of Alcohol Use among Secondary School Students in Barbados.

Background: In Barbados and the wider Caribbean region, alcohol is widely consumed by adolescents and young people, including those in secondary schools. The high prevalence of alcohol use, and its potential adverse effects are a source of concern to policy makers and the general population, which calls for better understanding of the drivers of this problem. This study thus aimed at investigating whether parental alcohol drinking habit is a predictor of alcohol use among secondary school students in the country.

Alcohol Drinking among Primary School Children in Trinidad and Tobago: Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors.

Background: Underage alcohol use is a pervasive problem with serious health, social and safety consequences. This study was undertaken to assess alcohol use by primary school children in Trinidad and Tobago, and to identify associated risk factors. Methods: We analysed data collected from 40 primary schools in Trinidad and Tobago by the National Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Programme (NADAPP).

Investigating the Role of Alcohol in Behavioural Problems at School among Secondary School Students in Barbados.

Background: The prevalence of alcohol use is quite high in the Caribbean region, and specifically, in Barbados. Alcohol use has been documented to negatively affect the way students behave within and outside school. This study set out to examine the role alcohol plays in students’ behavioural problems at school.

Risk Factors Associated with Frequent Alcohol Binge Drinking among Jamaicans: Does Gender Matter?

Objective: Alcohol is one of the most commonly consumed substances in Jamaica, despite the many health problems associated with excessive alcohol use. The aim of this study was to identify potential risk factors for alcohol binge drinking among Jamaicans, and determine if there were significant gender differences in the associations between identified risk factors and frequent binge drinking. Methods: Data collected from the 2016 National Household Survey Jamaica were analysed.

A Population-based Analysis of the Influence of Religious Affiliation on Alcohol Consumption among Jamaicans.

Background: Religion sometimes shapes behaviours and experiences of its members including alcohol consumption. The aim of this study was to examine the possible influence of religious affiliation on alcohol consumption in Jamaica since they are predominantly Christians. Methods: Using a cross-sectional study design, we analysed data from National Household Survey 2,016 of 4,623 participants.

Are Adolescents likely to Start Smoking Early if Their Parents are Smokers? A Study of Jamaican High School Students.

Background: The prevalence of cigarette smoking is high among adolescents in the Caribbean, including Jamaica. Age of initiation of cigarette smoking varies among adolescents. A number of factors has been reported to influence early age of initiation of cigarette smoking.