Cultural shifts: an examination of cervical cancer stigma across age groups in the Caribbean.

Background: Cervical cancer-related stigma is common but understudied in the Caribbean. This study aims to describe the age difference of cervical cancer stigma and to evaluate the influence on the prevention practices among the Caribbean nonpatient population in Jamaica, Grenada, and Trinidad and Tobago.

Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 1209 participants was conducted using a culturally trans-created Cancer Stigma Scale for the Caribbean context and supplemented with questions on cervical cancer and human papillomavirus (HPV) and HPV vaccine knowledge and beliefs.

A retrospective study of prostate-specific antigen and international prostate symptoms scores from participants at a men's health screening initiative in Trinidad.

Background: This study describes the characteristics of men attending a primary health care screening initiative, determines the proportion of men who have elevated International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) scores and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, and determines any correlation between these scores as indicators for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or prostate cancer.

Methods: Data were collected from all patient records during men's health screening initiatives that occurred in December 2018, January 2019, and March 2019 in Trinidad and Tobago. A total of 350 medical records were analyzed to record patient demographics, PSA levels, and IPSS scores.

Hypertension Prevalence among Hispanics/Latinos of Dominican Background: A Transnational Comparison of HCHS/SOL and ENPREFAR-HAS-17.

Background: Hispanics/Latinos of Dominican background living in United States (US) have the highest hypertension prevalence compared with other Hispanic/Latino persons.

Objective: To understand cardiovascular health among Dominicans, we evaluated hypertension prevalence and risk factors among Dominicans from the US and Dominican Republic (DR) using data from Hispanic Community Health Study/ Study of Latinos [HCHS/SOL] and the Prevalencia de Hipertension Arterial y Factores de Riesgo Cardiovasculares en la República Dominicana al 2017 (ENPREFAR-HAS 17) study.

Methods: Hypertension was defined as blood pressure ≥140/90 mmHg, self-reported hypertension, or antihypertensive use.

A Case Control Study of vNOTES Versus Conventional Laparoscopic Salpingectomy for Ectopic Pregnancy.

Study Objective: While the laparoscopic approach is the surgical treatment of choice for ectopic pregnancy, vaginal Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery (vNOTES) is emerging as an alternative route with its good optical visibility and avoidance of abdominal incisions. The authors compare demographics and outcome data of vNOTES vs conventional laparoscopic (CL) salpingectomy for the surgical management of ectopic pregnancy.

Design: Case-control study.

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.

Addressing the research gap: access to care hinders genetic discovery in systemic lupus erythematosus patients throughout the African diaspora.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex autoimmune condition that disproportionately impacts non-White ethnic and racial groups, particularly individuals in the African diaspora who experience heightened incidence, prevalence, and adverse outcomes. Genetic and epigenetic factors play significant roles in SLE risk, however these factors neither explain the whole of SLE risk nor the stark racial disparities we observe. Moreover, our understanding of genetic risk factors within African ancestry populations is limited due to social and environmental influences on research participation, disease presentation, and healthcare access.

Adhesive duodenal obstruction: a report of a previously undescribed pathology.

Adhesive small bowel obstruction is thought to be a disorder limited to the jejunum and ileum. As a result, the list of aetiologies for duodenal obstruction does not include adhesions. We report the case of a patient who presented with gastric outlet obstruction (GOO), but with no lesions identified on cross-sectional imaging or endoscopy.

Assessment of river ecological status in the French West Indies based on diatom flora.

The Water Framework Directive (WFD) requires member states to routinely assess the river ecological status using community-based indices. However, there is still a lack of published WFD-compliant methods for the French West Indies, especially using diatom-based indices. Martinique and Guadeloupe exhibit diverse landscapes shaped by their complex geological history and tropical climatic conditions.

Colonialism as a Social Determinant of Health in Puerto Rico: Using the Socioecological Model to Examine How the Jones Act Impacted Health After Hurricane María.

Introduction: Puerto Rico is a territory of the United States, making Puerto Ricans vulnerable to damaging colonial policy. The purpose of this article is to utilize the socioecological model (SEM) to evaluate how the Jones Act impacted Puerto Rico after Hurricane María, examining colonialist policy as a social determinant of health (SDOH) in Puerto Rico.

Methods: Levels of the SEM used in this examination included: , , , , and

Results: Evaluation of the Jones Act using the model demonstrated relationships between all socioecological levels.

Re-Emergence of DENV-3 in French Guiana: Retrospective Analysis of Cases That Circulated in the French Territories of the Americas from the 2000s to the 2023-2024 Outbreak.

French Guiana experienced an unprecedented dengue epidemic during 2023-2024. Prior to the 2023-2024 outbreak in French Guiana, DENV-3 had not circulated in an epidemic manner since 2005. We therefore studied retrospectively the strains circulating in the French Territories of the Americas (FTA)-French Guiana, Guadeloupe, and Martinique-from the 2000s to the current epidemic.

Advancing the art of mosquito control: the journey of the sterile insect technique against Aedes aegypti in Cuba.

Background: Aedes aegypti, the primary vector of dengue, chikungunya, and Zika viruses, poses a significant public health threat worldwide. Traditional control methods using insecticides are increasingly challenged by resistance and environmental concerns. The sterile insect technique (SIT) offers an eco-friendly alternative that has been successfully applied to other insect pests.

Prevention of Violence Against Children: A Qualitative Exploration of Colombian Policymakers', Programme Facilitators' and Caregivers' Perceptions.

Objective: Violence against children (VAC) is a global public health and human rights issue that can lead to long-lasting negative consequences for individual and societal outcomes. While extensive evidence indicates that parenting programmes might be effective in preventing VAC, there are several unsolved questions on how to ensure interventions are acceptable, feasible, effective and sustainable, particularly in low- and- middle-income countries (LMICs).

Method: In this study, we report findings from a qualitative examination of policymakers' (N = 10), early childhood and parenting programme facilitators' (N = 20) and parents' and other caregivers' (N = 38) perspectives on VAC prevention to examine the implementation ecosystem of parenting programmes in Colombia, including contextual risk and protection factors, features of existing programmes, and stakeholders' needs.

Using Citizen Science and Field Surveys to Document the Introduction, Establishment, and Rapid Spread of the Bare-Eyed Pigeon, , on the Island of Saint-Martin, West Indies.

Early reporting of the introduction and establishment of exotic species is of paramount importance for successful management. Here, we report the introduction and rapid spread of the Bare-eyed Pigeon, , on the binational island of Saint-Martin, the West Indies. This range-restricted species naturally occurs in arid coastal areas of Columbia and Venezuela and nearby islands.

Comparison of the sensitivity and specificity of commercial anti-dengue virus IgG tests to identify persons eligible for dengue vaccination.

Unlabelled: The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended that dengue pre-vaccination screening tests for Dengvaxia administration have at least 98% specificity and 75% sensitivity. This study evaluates the performance of commercial anti-DENV IgG tests to identify tests that could be used for pre-vaccination screening. First, for seven tests, we evaluated sensitivity and specificity in early convalescent dengue virus (DENV) infection, using 44 samples collected 7-30 days after symptom onset and confirmed by RT-PCR.

Dengue Virus Serotype 3 Origins and Genetic Dynamics, Jamaica.

We identified 3 clades of dengue virus serotype 3 belonging to genotype III isolated during 2019-2020 in Jamaica by using whole-genome sequencing and phylogenomic and phylogeographic analyses. The viruses likely originated from Asia in 2014. Newly expanded molecular surveillance efforts in Jamaica will guide appropriate public health responses.

Muscularization of the chordae tendinea of the mitral anterior papillary muscle.

The chordae tendineae, described as fibro-collagenous structures, support the leaflets of the atrioventricular valves of the heart in various ways. The chordae tendineae are composed of collagen and elastic fibers. They connect to the ventricular side of the valve leaflets' free border and hinder the leaflets from swinging back into the atrial cavity during systole.

Randomized Controlled Trials for Post-COVID-19 Conditions: A Systematic Review.

Post-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) syndrome or condition (PCS) is defined as new onset symptoms for at least three months following COVID-19 infection that has persisted for at least two months. Given the global sequelae of COVID-19, there is an urgent need for effective PCS interventions. The aim of this study was to systematically review all interventions for PCS tested in randomized controlled trials.