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Protein and Dairy is an infographic and nutrition education material as part of project deliverables for the Immersive Learning Project at Ball State University that provides students with real-life community engagement and community nutrition training. The nutrition educational material provides information about types of protein, food sources, and the benefits of protein and dairy consumption. It also contains a recipe for healthy homemade biscuits and gravy., The infographic was designed by the senior Nutrition and Dietetic students of the Nutrition and Dietetic Program at the Department of Nutrition and Health Science, College of Health, Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana. All authors have equal contributions.

This sub-study within the JAKIDS longitudinal cohort study compares medical and psychosocial outcomes of pregnancy in younger adolescent mothers (16 years), older adolescent mothers (16-19 years) and adult mothers (19 years) in Jamaica. Participants were recruited from July to September 2011 and included 9521 mother-infant dyads; mean maternal age 26.0 years (SD 6.8). Adolescent mothers represented 19.1% (n = 1822) of the sample - 1704 older adolescent mothers (17.9%) and 118 younger adolescent mothers (1.2%). Participants completed interviewer-administered questionnaires regarding their sexual and reproductive health history, feelings about the current pregnancy, and presence of anxious and depressive symptoms. Data on delivery and perinatal and neonatal outcomes were extracted from hospital charts. Younger adolescent mothers were more likely to deliver preterm (

Background: We aimed to estimate the relative risk for elevated blood pressure (BP ≥ 120/80 mmHg) for cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors among Afro-Caribbean youth in Jamaica and to evaluate the association between clustering of risk factors and elevated BP. Methods: We analysed data from 898 young adults, 18-20 years old (409 males; 489 females) from the Jamaica 1986 Birth Cohort Study. BP was measured with a mercury sphygmomanometer after the participant had been seated for 5 minutes. Anthropometric measurements were done and venous blood obtained to measure fasting glucose, lipids and insulin. Data on socioeconomic status (SES) were obtained via questionnaire. CVD risk factor status was defined using standard cut-points or the upper quintile of the distribution. Insulin resistance was estimated using the Homeostasis Model Assessment (HOMA-IR). Relative risks were computed using odds ratios (OR) from logistic regression models. Results: Prevalence of elevated BP was 30% among males and 13% among females (p Conclusion: Factors associated with elevated BP among Jamaican young adults include measures of obesity and insulin resistance, with significant differences by sex. Lower SES was associated with elevated BP among females. Clustering of risk factors was associated with markedly higher odds of elevated BP among males, but less so among females.

Background Although several studies have identified risk factors for high blood pressure (BP), data from Afro-Caribbean populations are limited. Additionally, less is known about how putative risk factors operate in young adults and how social factors influence the risk of high BP. In this study, we estimated the relative risk for elevated BP or hypertension (EBP/HTN), defined as BP ≥ 120/80 mmHg, among young adults with putative cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in Jamaica and evaluated whether relative risks differed by sex. Methods Data from 898 young adults, 18–20 years old, were analysed. BP was measured with a mercury sphygmomanometer after participants had been seated for 5 min. Anthropometric measurements were obtained, and glucose, lipids and insulin measured from a fasting venous blood sample. Data on socioeconomic status (SES) were obtained via questionnaire. CVD risk factor status was defined using standard cut-points or the upper quintile of the distribution where the numbers meeting standard cut-points were small. Relative risks were estimated using odds ratios (OR) from logistic regression models. Results Prevalence of EBP/HTN was 30% among males and 13% among females (p p p = 0.008), while high HOMA-IR did not achieve statistical significance (OR 2.08, CI [0.94–4.58], p = 0.069). In similar models for women, high triglycerides (OR 1.98, CI [1.03–3.81], p = 0.040) and high HOMA-IR (OR 2.07, CI [1.03–4.12], p = 0.039) were positively associated with EBP/HTN. Lower SES was also associated with higher odds for EBP/HTN (OR 4.63, CI [1.31–16.4], p = 0.017, for moderate vs. high household possessions; OR 2.61, CI [0.70–9.77], p = 0.154 for low vs. high household possessions). Alcohol consumption was associated with lower odds of EBP/HTN among females only; OR 0.41 (CI [0.18–0.90], p = 0.026) for drinking p = 0.012) for drinking ≥3 times per week vs. never drinkers. Physical activity was inversely associated with EBP/HTN in both males and females. Conclusion Factors associated with EBP/HTN among Jamaican young adults include obesity, high glucose, high triglycerides and high HOMA-IR, with some significant differences by sex. Among women lower SES was positively associated with EBP/HTN, while moderate alcohol consumption was associated lower odds of EBP/HTN.

The Jamaica Perinatal Morbidity and Mortality Survey (JPMMS) was a national study designed to identify modifiable risk factors associated with poor maternal and perinatal outcome. Needing to better understand factors that promote or retard child development, behaviour and academic achievement, we conducted follow-up studies of the birth cohort. The paper describes the policy developments from the JPMMS and two follow-up rounds. The initial study (1986-87) documented 94% of all births and their outcomes on the island over 2 months (n = 10 508), and perinatal (n = 2175) and maternal deaths (n = 62) for a further 10 months. A subset of the birth cohort, identified by their date of birth through school records, was seen at ages 11-12 (n = 1715) and 15-16 years (n = 1563). Findings from the initial survey led to, inter alia, clinic-based screening for syphilis, referral high-risk clinics run by visiting obstetricians, and the redesign and construction of new labour wards at referral hospitals. The follow-up studies documented inadequate academic achievement among boys and children attending public schools, and associations between under- and over-nutrition, excessive television viewing (>20 h/week), inadequate parental supervision and behavioural problems. These contributed to the development of a television programming code for children, a National Parenting Policy, policies aimed at improving inter-sectoral services to children from birth to 5 years (Early Childhood Commission) and behavioural interventions of the Violence Prevention Alliance (an inter-sectoral NGO) and the Healthy Lifestyles project (Ministry of Health). Indigenous maternal and child health research provided a local evidence base that informed public policy. Collaboration, good communication, being vigilant to opportunities to influence policy, and patience has contributed to our success.

Background In 1996 a study found that approximately one in four tourists to Jamaica were affected with traveler's diarrhea (TD) during their stay. That year the Ministry of Health initiated a program for the prevention and control of TD. The aim of this ongoing program was to reduce attack rates of TD from 25% to 12% over a 5-year period by improving the environmental health and food safety standards of hotels. Methods Hotel-based surveillance procedures for TD were implemented in sentinel hotels in Negril and Montego Bay in 1996, Ocho Rios in 1997, and Kingston in 1999. A structured program provided training and technical assistance to nurses, food and beverage staff, and environmental sanitation personnel in the implementation of Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point principles for monitoring food safety standards. The impact of interventions on TD was assessed in a survey of tourists departing from the international airport in Montego Bay in 1997–1998 and from the international airport in Kingston in 1999–2000. The impact of the training and technical assistance program on food safety standards and practices was assessed in hotels in Ocho Rios as of 1998 and in Kingston from 1999. Results At the end of May 2002, TD incidence rates were 72% lower than in 1996, when the Ministry of Health initiated its program for the prevention and control of TD. Both hotel surveillance data and airport surveillance data suggest that the vast majority of travelers to Kingston and southern regions are not afflicted with TD during their stay. The training and technical assistance program improved compliance to food safety standards over time. Conclusion Interventions to prevent and control TD in visitors to Jamaica are positively associated with a reduction in TD in the visitor population and improvements in food safety standards and practices in hotels.

Although rotavirus infections are generally considered to be confined to the intestine, recent reports suggest that extraintestinal disease occurs. We studied whether rotavirus infection was associated with antigenemia during a major outbreak of gastroenteritis in the Kingston metropolitan area, during July-August 2003. Rotavirus antigen was identified in 30 of 70 acute-phase serum samples (including from 2 deceased individuals) but in only 1 of 53 control samples. Serum antigen levels were inversely associated with time since symptom onset and were directly associated with antigen levels in stool (P = .02). Serum antigen levels were significantly elevated during primary infections (acute-phase serum immunoglobulin G [IgG] titers,25), compared with those in subsequent infections (acute-phase serum IgG titers,or = 25) (P = .02). Antigenemia was common in this outbreak and might provide a mechanism to help explain rare but well-documented reports of findings of extraintestinal rotavirus. In situations in which stool samples are not readily available (i.e., patients with severe dehydration or those recently recovered or deceased), serum testing by enzyme immunoassay offers a new and practical diagnostic tool.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of experiences with physical violence and psychological violence that health staff have had in the workplace in Jamaica, and to identify factors associated with those experiences of violence. DESIGN AND METHODS: A total of 832 health staff answered the standardized questionnaire that was used in this cross-sectional study. Sampling was done at public facilities, including specialist, tertiary, and secondary hospitals in the Kingston Metropolitan Area; general hospitals in the rural parishes; and primary care centers in urban and rural areas. Sampling was also done in private hospitals and private medical centers. RESULTS: Psychological violence was more prevalent than was physical violence. Verbal abuse had been experienced in the preceding year by 38.6% of the questionnaire respondents, bullying was reported by 12.4%, and physical violence was reported by 7.7%. In multivariate analyses there was a lower risk of physical violence for health staff who were 55 years or older, worked during the night, or worked mostly with mentally disabled patients, geriatric patients, or HIV/AIDS patients. Staff members working mostly with psychiatric patients faced a higher risk of physical assaults than did other health staff. Of the various health occupations, nurses were the ones most likely to be verbally abused. In terms of age ranges, bullying was more commonly experienced by health staff 40-54 years old. CONCLUSIONS: Violence in the health sector workplace in Jamaica is an occupational hazard that is of public health concern. Evaluation of the environment that creates risks for violence is necessary to guide the formulation of meaningful interventions for the country.OBJETIVO: Determinar la prevalencia de experiencias con episodios de violencia física y psicológica en el lugar de trabajo entre miembros del personal de salud de Jamaica, así como los factores que se asocian con dichas experiencias. MÉTODOS: Un total de 832 miembros del personal de salud de plantilla respondieron al cuestionario estandarizado que se usó en este estudio transversal. La muestra se obtuvo en instalaciones públicas, entre ellas hospitales especializados, terciarios y secundarios de la zona metropolitana de Kingston; hospitales generales en las parroquias rurales; y centros de atención primaria de salud en zonas urbanas y rurales. También se hizo un muestreo en hospitales y centros médicos privados. RESULTADOS: La violencia psicológica fue más frecuente que la física. Durante el año anterior a la encuesta, 38,6% de los encuestados habían sido víctimas de abuso verbal; 12,4%, de acoso, y 7,7% de maltrato físico. En análisis multifactoriales se observó un menor riesgo de sufrir violencia física entre miembros del personal de salud que tenían 55 años de edad o más, que trabajaban de noche, o que trabajaban principalmente con pacientes mentalmente discapacitados, pacientes geriátricos, o pacientes con infección por VIH o sida. En los miembros del personal que trabajaban principalmente con pacientes psiquiátricos se detectó un mayor riesgo de sufrir ataques físicos que en otros trabajadores de la salud. De las diversas ocupaciones pertenecientes al ámbito de la salud, la de enfermería fue en la que más se halló la propensión a ser víctima de abuso verbal. En cuanto a grupos de edad, el acoso se observó con más frecuencia en trabajadores de salud entre las edades de 40 y 54 años. CONCLUSIONES: La violencia en el lugar de trabajo en Jamaica es un peligro ocupacional que merece la atención del sector sanitario. Es necesario evaluar el tipo de ambiente que propicia la violencia a fin de formular intervenciones eficaces en el país.

Involvement in violence is affected by a variety of risk factors and timing, duration, number of risks, and intensity of risk factors. The earlier the exposure to risk starts, the longer the exposure continues, the number of risks one is exposed to, and intensity of the risk factors experienced are all important. A child who is severely beaten, sexually abused, or both; one who grows up witnessing intimate partner or family violence; one who attends a failing school or is not involved in structured after-school activities; or one who lives in a violent neighborhood is at increased risk of becoming involved in violent behavior. The nature of the violence is worsened by the impact of shifting family structure and other risk factors such as alcohol and drugs. Adolescents who are exposed to positive parenting and supportive individuals, receive relevant education, are literate, possess life skills, and participate in structured, supervised activities become empowered young people who can resist violence.

Objective: To assess the efficacy and acceptability of a patient-held pictorial card aimed at raising awareness and appropriate health seeking behavior in response to prodromal symptoms of imminent eclampsia. Method: Pictorial cards (and posters) were issued to antenatal clinics and used to focus instruction and advice to pregnant women. Mothers were surveyed before and after the cards were introduced to assess maternal likelihood of seeking care if edema was seen, and of attending hospital if so advised. We monitored the eclampsia rate. Health workers were interviewed 6 months after cards and posters were issued to determine the acceptability of using the cards as part of routine antenatal care. Results: The card was seen as widely acceptable by health professionals, and increased their own awareness of the prodromal symptoms of eclampsia and their discussion of these symptoms with antenatal mothers. Mothers' awareness and response to symptoms improved significantly and there was a marked drop in eclampsia incidence. Suggested improvements to the card were made by mothers and health workers. Conclusion: The cost of providing a card for every pregnant mother is likely to be offset by health service delivery savings.

Using data for a one-year period from the Kingston Public Hospital (KPH) in Jamaica, we describe patterns of non-fatal violence-related injuries, and carry out simulation analysis to estimate rates of hospital admission under various injury reduction scenarios, and the potential savings that can be realized by reducing violent crimes. In this period there were 6107 registered violence-related visits to the KPH representing 11.5% of all recorded visits. Of these 16.6% (1001) were admitted. The most common methods of inflicting injury was by stabbing (52.1%), blunt injuries (37.9%) and gunshot wounds (7.3%). Multivariate analyses indicated that gunshot injuries, stab injuries, being male between the ages of 15 and 44 years, receiving the injury in November or December, and being injured by a stranger or unknown assailant, were significant correlates of a higher probability of admission. Simulation analysis with various injury reduction scenarios indicated decreases in the probability of admission ranging from 12% to 44%, with estimated savings of up to 31% of the annual supplies budget of KPH.

Objectives In this study, we examined the effects of birth weight (BWT) and early life socioeconomic circumstances (SEC) on systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) among Jamaican young adults. Study Design and Setting Longitudinal study of 364 men and 430 women from the Jamaica 1986 Birth Cohort Study. Information on BWT and maternal SEC at child's birth was linked to information collected at 18–20 years old. Sex-specific multilevel linear regression models were used to examine whether adult SBP/DBP was associated with BWT and maternal SEC. Results In unadjusted models, SBP was inversely related to BWT z-score in both men ( β , −0.82 mm Hg) and women ( β , −1.18 mm Hg) but achieved statistical significance for women only. In the fully adjusted model, one standard deviation increase in BWT was associated with 1.16 mm Hg reduction in SBP among men [95% confidence interval (CI): 2.15, 0.17; P = 0.021] and 1.34 mm Hg reduction in SBP among women (95% CI: 2.21, 0.47; P = 0.003). Participants whose mothers had lower SEC had higher SBP compared with those with mothers of high SEC ( β , 3.4–4.8 mm Hg for men, P P > 0.05). Conclusion SBP was inversely related to maternal SEC and BWT among Jamaican young adults.

As part of the reproductive health quality assurance programme, the Ministry of Health sought to review maternal deaths in public hospitals. These hospitals attend 95% of institutional births and 82% of all births.Deaths among females 10-50 years in public hospitals during 1993-1995 were reviewed to identify pregnancy-related deaths. Cause of death and access to care were compared with previous studies (1981-1983 and 1986-1987 [12 months]).The maternal mortality ratio of 106.2 per 100 000 live births, was no different than the 119.7 observed in 1986-1987 and 118.6 for 1981-1983. The leading causes of death remained pre-eclampsia/eclampsia and haemorrhage. The only significant cause-specific decline occurred among deaths due to ruptured ectopic pregnancy (P = 0.012). While in 1986-1987 access to care was associated with risk of death from gestational hypertension (P = 0.02), these differences are no longer significant. Differences persist, however, for haemorrhage and all other causes, which were less likely to occur at the more skilled institutions. The region with the least obstetricians had the highest mortality ratio but the one with the most did not have the lowest ratio, indicating that quality is more important than quantity.Regional differences indicate the capacity to reduce maternal mortality by at least 50% with re-allocation of skilled personnel and improved quality. All hospitals must be able to manage haemorrhage cases as patients are unlikely to survive referral.

Demographic, behavioural, environmental, economic and obstetric history data from the Jamaican Perinatal Morbidity and Mortality Survey were examined to identify characteristics of women who do not attend for antenatal care, or present late instead of early for care, using multiple logistic regression. Non-attenders were more likely to be teenagers, unmarried, in unions of very short duration, smokers and women who felt that friends and relatives were not supportive. Multigravid non-attenders often had short inter-pregnancy intervals and included women who had experienced a post neonatal death. They were often drawn from deprived environments (lack of sanitation, water supplies). Late attenders shared features common to non-attenders (teenagers, unmarried, multigravid). Many however were self employed and did not fit the depressed profile of the non-attender. Most multigravidae who attended late had had previously uneventful pregnancies, including this one. Early attenders had little in common with non-attenders or late attenders. They were older, many had a secondary or tertiary education, were married and were generally middle class women. The group however included high risk multigravidae who had previous pregnancy complications or bad outcomes. Programmes aimed at reaching non-attenders must focus on the wider social and economic needs of these women and must give them a sense of their own power to effect change in their lives. Reaching the late attender will be more difficult and may be unnecessary with the possible exception of the teenager. She needs to be treated in a more sympathetic and non-judgmental way as this is often a high risk pregnancy. More fundamental changes require improved educational and employment opportunities for women as the best consumer is an educated consumer.

Information concerning 9919 singleton pregnancies delivered in Jamaica in the 2-month period of September and October 1986 and surviving the early neonatal period were compared with 1847 singleton perinatal deaths occurring in the 12-month period from 1 September 1986 to 31 August 1987, classified according to the Wigglesworth schema. Logistic regression was used to assess features of antenatal and intrapartum care that were associated with the different groups of perinatal death after taking account of environmental, maternal and medical factors. In Jamaica, 67% of all mothers took iron during pregnancy. These mothers appeared to have a lower risk of perinatal death. This does not appear to be an artefact related to the gestation at which the mother delivers, and was particularly associated with antepartum fetal deaths. Commencement of antenatal care in the first trimester appeared to reduce the risk of all perinatal deaths, and for intrapartum asphyxia in particular. It is speculated that the mechanism may involve early detection and treatment of anaemia and syphilis. Quality of perinatal care available in the area of residence, as measured by the presence of consultant obstetricians and a paediatric consultant unit, is shown to be significantly related to a reduction in deaths from intrapartum asphyxia, but it appeared not to be related to antepartum fetal deaths.

Information from the Jamaican Perinatal Mortality Survey was used to identify features of mothers and their pregnancies that were independently associated with perinatal death. Social, biological, environmental, life style and medical aspects of mothers and their pregnancies were collected on two inter-locking subsamples: (1) all births on the island of Jamaica in the 2 months of September and October 1986, the 'cohort months', and (2) all fetal deaths of weight 500 g or more, together with all neonatal deaths, in the 12-month period from 1 September 1986 to 31 August 1987. Singleton survivors from the cohort months were compared with all perinatal deaths in the 12-month period using logistic regression. The first model omitted items concerning past obstetric history, but these were included in the second model. In total, 21 variables entered the first model and 24 the second. The only item that became non-significant when past obstetric history was included was maternal age. The final model compared 1017 perinatal deaths with 7672 survivors. It consisted of the following: union (marital) status (married being at lower risk, P < 0.01), maternal employment status (housewives at lowest risk, P < 0.001), number of adults in household (the more the higher the risk, P < 0.05), the number of children aged < 11 (the more the lower the risk, P < 0.0001), use of toilet facilities (shared with other households increased risk, P < 0.001), maternal height (tall women at reduced risk, P < 0.001), mother's report that she was trying to get pregnant (P < 0.001), maternal alcohol consumption (drinkers had lower risk, P < 0.05), maternal syphilis (higher risk, P < 0.0001), bleeding before 28 weeks (higher risk, P < 0.0001), bleeding at 28 weeks or more (higher risk, P < 0.0001), first diastolic blood pressure (80 mm + at higher risk, P < 0.0001), highest diastolic blood pressure (100 mm + at increased risk, P < 0.0001), highest proteinuria (++ or more at increased risk, P < 0.0001), vaginal discharge/infection (untreated at increased risk, P < 0.001), pre-eclampsia diagnosed in antenatal period (increased risk, P < 0.01), maternal diabetes (increased risk, P < 0.05), start of antenatal care (first trimester at reduced risk, P < 0.01), iron taken (reduced risk, P < 0.0001), type of perinatal care available in parish of residence (reduced risk if consultant obstetricians and paediatricians available at all times, P < 0.0001), number of miscarriages and terminations (the more the higher the risk, P < 0.0001), previous stillbirth (higher risk, P < 0.0001), previous early neonatal death (higher risk, P < 0.001), previous Caesarean section (higher risk, P < 0.01). The implications for reduction in perinatal mortality rates are discussed.

The Jamaican Perinatal Mortality Survey was designed to identify the true perinatal mortality rate, and assess the factors which could contribute towards a reduction in perinatal mortality on the island. All births in a 2-month period (n = 10527) were compared with all perinatal deaths occurring over a 12-month period (n = 2069). Over half the deaths (n = 1058) received a detailed post-mortem examination. Use of the Wigglesworth classification identifies the major component of perinatal death in this country to be associated with intrapartum asphyxia (44% of deaths). Deaths due to congenital malformations and miscellaneous causes contribute relatively little (< 10%) to the overall mortality rate. Over a quarter of deaths apparently occur before the onset of labour, and a fifth are prematurely liveborn but die of causes related to immaturity.

The Jamaican Perinatal Mortality Survey collected data that have been used in this paper to estimate: (1) the rate of multiple deliveries on the island; (2) the way in which this varies with demographic features; and (3) the causes of perinatal mortality among twins on the island. The survey consisted of two phases: a study of all births in the months of September and October 1986 (the cohort months) and a study of all perinatal deaths in the 12 months from 1 September 1986 to 31 August 1987. Among the 10,408 pregnancies in the cohort months, 99(1.0%) were multiple pregnancies. The twinning rate showed statistically significant trends with maternal age and parity but no association with social factors. Among the 2020 perinatal deaths occurring in the 12-month period, 173 (8.6%) were twins, with particularly high contribution to the Wiggles-worth group 'deaths from immaturity'. Mortality rate of twins was significantly lower if mothers resided in areas where there were good obstetric and paediatric facilities.

Summary. During the 12-month period from 1 September 1986 to 31 August 1987 an attempt was made to collect information on all perinatal deaths occurring on the island of Jamaica. Of the 2069 late fetal and early neonatal deaths identified, 19% fell into the Wigglesworth1 definition of ‘deaths from immaturity’. Twins were 11 times more likely to die of immaturity than were singletons, and twins comprised 18% of all deaths in this group. Comparison of the singleton deaths from immaturity, with 9919 singletons born on the island during the 2-month period of September and October 1987 and who survived the first 7 days, revealed several strong risk factors. These included history of previous miscarriages, stillbirth, early neonatal death or preterm delivery, and complications of bleeding and hypertension (highest diastolic, proteinuria and eclampsia all having independent associations). None of these factors ‘explained’ a strong negative relationship with the number of young children in the household. There was an apparent protective effect of maternal folic acid ingestion which warrants further investigation.

This article uses data from the United States, Jamaica, Malaysia, and Bangladesh to explore gender differences in adult health. The results show that women fare worse than men across a variety of self-reported health measures in all four countries studies. These health status disparities between men and women persist even after appropriate corrections are made for the impact of (a) differential mortality selection by gender and (b) sociodemographic factors. Data from Jamaica indicate that gender disparities in adult health arise early and persist throughout the life cycle, with different age profiles for different measures.The US, Jamaica, Malaysia, and Bangladesh have different levels of socioeconomic development, life styles, gender norms, and expectations. The authors use survey data on measures of general health and physical functioning by age and gender in their study of differential gender patterns in adult health and their determinants. The study found that there are significant gender differences in adult health, with women faring worse than men across a variety of measures in all four countries studied. Health status disparities between the sexes persist even after correcting for the impact of differential mortality selection by gender and sociodemographic factors such as age, education, income, and location of respondent. Biological factors, behavioral factors, and reporting biases have all been suggested as explanations for these gender differences in adult ill health. Given the consistency of the gender disparity in adult ill health across different measures and countries with different levels of education, income, life styles, and norms and expectations about behavior as illustrated in this study, however, reporting bias is most likely not a major cause of gender differentials in adult health. The fact that significant gender differentials in adult health persist despite controlling for sociodemographic characteristics points instead to the need for further research into the behavioral and biological bases of the differentials.

Detailed nationally representative population level data were used to investigate the pre-natal care and delivery experiences of pregnant women in Jamaica. The results of this study show that: (a) demographic criteria (particularly first births) and self-reported clinical pregnancy complications are valid predictors of deleterious maternal health outcomes and can be used to stratify mothers into risk groups. (b) There appears to be a significant problem of under and inappropriate utilization of pre-natal care services by all women and in particular by demographically 'high risk' women, i.e. young, first time mothers. Significant proportions of the latter group report either no pre-natal care visits at all or visits which are later than the first trimester. The problems of delayed initiation of pre-natal care are specially exacerbated for poor, teenage mothers who happen to be living in the Kingston Metropolitan Area. (c) In terms of the content and quality of pre-natal care services the message is somewhat mixed. On the positive side the pre-natal care system is doing a moderately satisfactory job with regard to diagnostic tests and educational advice. On the negative side however, the fact that once women enter the health care system they all receive the same moderately adequate care (in terms of diagnostic evaluations and educational advice) with no attempt to focus particular attention on high risk mothers is troublesome. (d) With regard to appropriate delivery venues for pregnant women, pre-natal care visits do not appear to significantly influence the choice of delivery venues. Moreover, rich urban women are much more likely to deliver in a hospital than their rural peers. In conclusion, the study discusses the social and behavioral context of these results, addresses the policy implications and makes some recommendations to improve maternal health services.

The prevalence of communicable diseases in the English speaking Caribbean has declined considerably over the last two decades, creating a false sense of security and complacency in implementing continuous preventive measures such as immunization. Poliomyelitis is one such case in paint. The last case of paralytic poliomyelitis was reported in Jamaica in 1969. Then twelve years later, in May 1982, the Ministry of Health announced the outbreak of poliomyelitis in the parish of St. James, caused by the Type I virus. This paper traces the history of epidemics of poliomyelitis in Jamaica from 1954 to 1982, the Government's policies and strategies for immunization and demonstrates that preventive intervention through immunization is cheaper and preferable to crisis management caused by epidemics. The evaluation of the social and economic costs of the 1982 poliomyelitis epidemic in Jamaica provides conclusive evidence in support of preventive intervention.

Department of Community Health and Psychiatry, University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica, School of Graduate Studies and Research, University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica, Department of Child Health, University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica, Epidemiology Research Unit, Tropical Medicine Research Institute, University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica, Early Childhood Commission, Ministry of Education, Kingston, Jamaica and University Health Centre, University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica

Background The metabolic syndrome has a high prevalence in many countries and has been associated with socioeconomic status (SES). This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome and its components among Jamaican young adults and evaluate its association with parental SES. Methods A subset of the participants from the 1986 Jamaica Birth Cohort was evaluated at ages 18-20 years between 2005 and 2007. Trained research nurses obtained blood pressure and anthropometric measurements and collected a venous blood sample for measurement of lipids and glucose. Prevalence of the metabolic syndrome and its components were estimated using the 2009 Consensus Criteria from the International Diabetes Federation, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, American Heart Association, World Heart Federation, International Atherosclerosis Society, and International Association for the Study of Obesity. SES was assessed by questionnaire using occupation of household head, highest education of parent/guardian, and housing tenure of parent/guardian. Analysis yielded means and proportions for metabolic syndrome variables and covariates. Associations with levels of SES variables were obtained using analysis of variance. Multivariable analysis was conducted using logistic regression models. Results Data from 839 participants (378 males; 461 females) were analyzed. Prevalence of the metabolic syndrome was 1.2% (95% confidence interval [95%CI] 0.5%-1.9%). Prevalence was higher in females (1.7% vs. 0.5%). Prevalence of the components [male: female] were: central obesity, 16.0% [5.3:24.7]; elevated blood pressure, 6.7% [10.8:3.3]; elevated glucose, 1.2% [2.1:0.4]; low HDL, 46.8% [28.8:61.6]; high triglycerides, 0.6% [0.5:0.6]. There were no significant differences in the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome for any of the SES measures used possibly due to lack of statistical power. Prevalence of central obesity was inversely associated with occupation (highly skilled 12.4%, skilled 13.5%, semi-skilled/unskilled 21.8%, p = 0.013) and education (tertiary 12.5%, secondary 14.1%, primary/all-age 28.4%, p = 0.002). In sex-specific multivariate logistic regression adjusted for hip circumference, central obesity remained associated with occupation and education for women only. Conclusion Prevalence of the metabolic syndrome is low, but central obesity and low HDL are present in 16% and 47% of Jamaican youth, respectively. Central obesity is inversely associated with occupation and education in females.

The prevalence and determinants of primary caesarean section in Jamaica were estimated from a survey of women aged 14-49 years. Among 2328 women reporting 2395 live hospital births during the period January 1984 to May 1989, the prevalence of caesarean section was 4.1%. Repeat caesarean sections accounted for 1.3% of the hospital births during that period. Of the medical complications studied, prolonged labour and/or cephalopelvic disproportion carried the highest risks of primary caesarean section, followed by breech presentation, maternal diabetes, a high birth-weight baby, maternal hypertension, and a low birth-weight baby. The risk of primary caesarean section increased with maternal age, decreased with parity, was higher for urban than for rural residents, and was higher for births in private versus government hospitals.Researchers analyzed data on 2395 hospital births which occurred to 2328 14-49 year old women between January 1984 and May 1989 living in 7 parishes of Jamaica to determine the prevalence and factors of cesarean section. The primary cesarean section rate for the 5.5-year period was 4.1% which is lower than the rates of some developing countries and of some developed countries such as the US. The repeat cesarean section rate was 1.3%. Cephalopelvic disproportion and/or prolonged labor (abnormal labor) accounted for 17.4% of all primary cesarean sections. Abnormal labor carried the greatest risk of primary cesarean section (logistic regression model beta=1.9). Other delivery complications which posed considerable risk of cesarean section included breech presentation (beta=1.68), maternal diabetes (beta=0.84), maternal hypertension (beta=0.47), large birth weight infant (beta=0.4), and low birth weight infant (beta=-0.15). These complications made up 22.3%, 7.1%, 7.4%, and 5.3% of all primary cesarean sections, respectively. Nonmedical determinants of primary cesarean section included 30-year old women (beta=1.04), 1-2 births (beta=-1.27), urban residence (beta=0.75), and delivering in a private hospital (beta=0.59). 5.3% of 30-year old mothers underwent a cesarean section compared with 3.8% of 30-year old mothers. 5.2% of women of parity 1-2 had a cesarean section whereas only 2.3% of those of parity =or 3 did. Urban mothers were more likely to have a cesarean section than were rural mothers (5.4% vs. 3.3%). 7.6% of mothers delivering at a private hospital underwent a cesarean section compared with 3.9% of those delivering at a government hospital. Well-designed studies of infant mortality in Jamaica can determine whether the country can attain low levels of early infant mortality while keeping its current low rate of cesarean section.

A large population-based study of all stillbirths and neonatal deaths occurring on the island of Jamaica during a 12 month period is described. During this time, 2069 perinatal deaths were identified in an estimated total of 54,400 infants born giving a perinatal death rate of 38.0 per 1000 births. The death rate was 5 times higher among twins than singletons. An attempt was made to obtain detailed postmortem examination of as many cases as possible. In the event, 51% of the infants who died perinatally had such postmortem examination. Postmortem rate was affected by sex, multiplicity of the infant, time of death, month of death and area of delivery. Deaths were classified using the Wigglesworth scheme. The distribution of categories was similar in the months when the postmortem rate was 70% to the rest of the time period when the post-mortem rate was only 40%. The Wigglesworth classification of deaths identified those associated with intrapartum asphyxia as the most important group, accounting for over 40% of deaths overall and 59% of deaths in infants of more than 2500 g birthweight. Antepartum fetal deaths were the second largest group, comprising 20% of deaths. Sixty percent of the infants in this group weighed less than 2500 g at birth. Major malformations were responsible for few perinatal deaths in Jamaica. This simple classification is important as it focuses attention on details of labour and delivery that may require change and is useful in planning future delivery of obstetric and neonatal care.A large population-based study of all stillbirths and neonatal deaths occurring on the island of Jamaica over a 12-month period is described. During this time, 2069 perinatal deaths were identified in an estimated total of 54,400 infants born giving a perinatal death rate of 38.0/1000 births. The death rate was 5 time higher among twins than singletons. An attempt was made to obtain detailed postmortem examination of as many cases as possible. In the event, 51% of the infants who died perinatally had such an examination. Postmortem rate was affected by sex, multiplicity of the infant, time of death, month of death, and area of delivery. Deaths were classified using the Wigglesworth scheme. The distribution of categories was similar in the months when the postmortem rate was 70% to the rest of the time when the rate was only 40%. The Wigglesworth classification of deaths identified those associated with intrapartum asphyxia as the most important group, accounting for over 40% of deaths overall and 59% of deaths in infants of more than 2500 g birthweight. Antepartum fetal deaths were the 2nd largest group. comprising 20% of deaths. 60% of the infants in this group weighed less than 2500 g at birth. Major malformations were responsible for few perinatal deaths in Jamaica. This simple classification is important since it puts attention on details of labor and delivery that may require change and is useful in planning future delivery of obstetric and neonatal care.

Details of 62 maternal deaths occurring in 1986/1987 were compared with a control population. The incidence was 11.5 per 10,000 livebirths. The major cause of maternal mortality was hypertension followed by hemorrhage and infection. There were trends with advanced maternal age and high parity. The risk of maternal death varied with hospital facilities available, being lowest in areas with access to a specialist hospital and highest in areas where there were no obstetricians available.

A child-to-child programme was carried out in six rural schools in Jamaica. School children in grades 4 and 5 were taught concepts of nutrition, environmental and personal hygiene, and child development. The children were encouraged to take messages home to their parents and improve the care of their younger siblings. Four hundred and twenty-three children and 90 mothers and guardians from four of the project schools were evaluated and compared with 199 children and 47 parents from two control schools. The project children showed higher scores on a test of knowledge in the topics at the end of the year. They also improved in some practices at home. The mothers improved in knowledge in some areas but not in their practices. We consider the results sufficiently encouraging to justify incorporating the programme into the country's education curriculum for primary schools.The evaluation of a child-to-child health education project in Jamaica found for mothers and guardians a small improvement in knowledge and a slight and not significant improvement in behavior about a safe and health environment and nutrition; children's scores were significantly improved over controls. The project was conducted in 7 rural primary grades of all level 4 and 5 children in the parish of St. Thomas and was representative of rural schools in general, but the analysis included the 4 largest schools and 2 control schools nearby. The instructions to 423 children to spread concepts of child health, nutrition, and development to guardians and younger siblings was accomplished with trained teachers, rather than as previously conducted by the investigator. 15 workshops were devoted to training the development of curriculum; action-oriented songs, stories, skits, jingles, games, and pictures were created based on indigenous Jamaican folk music and patois intelligible to children with low literacy levels. Those children with very poor attendance were excluded (33%). The sample included 90 project and 40 control mothers who had no formal education at the secondary level and had large families in overcrowded houses with poor water supplies and sanitation. The evaluation was conducted for children only at the end of the project because of literacy problems, but mothers were administered questionnaires pre- and postproject with 8% absenteeism at the end of the project. Absenteeism for children was 22%, 23%, and 14%. Nutrition knowledge pertained to when and how to breast feed, the advantages of breast feeding, when and how to introduce weaning foods, and composition of food groups. Healthy environment included awareness of the causes and spread of diseases, flies and mosquitoes, how to prevent the spread of disease, food handling, and personal hygiene. Child development issues were the normal growth and development, positive reinforcement rather than physical punishment, how to play with children, what to teach with play, and how to make toys. The success in teaching the children is attributed to the teaching techniques and relevance to their lives. Teachers were highly supportive and motivated. Minimal success with mother's knowledge may be due to quality control issues and Jamaican traditions which interfere with children advising parents. Actions are more difficult to change. The program has been expanded to other schools.

Information was collected on 2,197 stillbirths and neonatal deaths on the island of Jamaica during the 12 month period September 1986 to August 1987 as part of the population based nationwide Jamaican Perinatal Morbidity and Mortality Survey. There were 14 cases of anencephalus giving an incidence of 0.26 per 1,000 total births. One of these cases was associated with the amniotic band syndrome; excluding this, the incidence would be even lower (0.24 per 1,000). There was no apparent association with social class, maternal age, or parity. The rate found in Jamaica is considerably lower than found in any other national population study.

Information on the signs and symptoms of the hypertensive disorders of pregnancy was collected for over 10,000 women as part of the Jamaican Perinatal Study and comprised all women living in Jamaica who delivered singletons after 27 weeks gestation during September and October 1986 (n=10, 201). The incidences of antenatal diastolic hypertension, proteinuric pre -eclampsia were 10.4%, 4.1% and 7.1 per 1000 respectively. Risk factors for developing antenatal diastolic hypertension included primiparity, maternal age over 30 years, the midwife's subjective assessments of abnormal weight gain during pregnancy and nutritional status, a history of prior hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and the region of residence. Risk factors for developing proteinuric pre-eclampsia were maternal age over 25 years and nutritional status for primiparae and maternal age over 35 years, subjective assessments of abnormal maternal weight gain and nutritional status and a history of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy in multipara...

Babies with major malformations were identified during the Jamaica Perinatal Morbidity and Mortality Survey. They were found in 96 (8.6%) of 1112 perinatal and neonatal deaths coming to necropsy and in 28 (2.6%) of 1085 no so examined. The central nervous system was most commonly affected, followed by the renal, gastrointestinal, and cardiovascular systems in decreasing order of frequency. Many infants had abnormalities in more than one system and 10 malformation syndromes/sequences were identified. Although at the present time, major malformations make only a small contribution to perinatal and neonatal mortality in Jamaica, their importance will increase when deaths from other causes, such as birth asphyxia, decline. The type of malformation currently fatal in a particular population is relevant when planning diagnostic and surgical services for neonates and infants. It is also important to any discussions about provision of prenatal diagnostic services.

The aim of this study was to provide standards for the assessment of birthweight, head circumference and crown-heel length for normal, singleton newborns of predominantly West African descent. Data were collected for 10 482 or 94% of all recorded births in Jamaica during the two-month period September 1 to October 31, 1986. After editing procedures, data were available for 6178 (birthweight), 5975 (head circumference), and 5990 (crown-heel length). The data presented in tables and growth curves include birthweight, head circumference and crown-heel length for males and females separately, for gestational ages 30–43 weeks. Data sets from the University Hospital of the West Indies in 1990 and 1999 were used to explore the possibility of secular change over the period 1986–1999. In conclusion, these ethnic and gender-specific growth curves are based on the most extensive dataset currently available in Jamaica for babies of West African descent.

Objectives To assess factors associated with under-reporting of maternal deaths from 1998, when maternal deaths became a Class I notifiable event in Jamaica and continuous maternal mortality surveillance was introduced, through 2003. Methods The number of deaths notified was compared with the number of independently identified deaths for each period and region studied, and key informants reported on their experience of the surveillance process. Results By 2000, approximately 80% of maternal deaths were reported, and was more consistent in 2 of the 4 regions. In these 2 regions someone was responsible for active surveillance and there was an established maternal mortality committee to review cases. Factors associated with nonreporting were no postmortem examination, death in the first trimester of pregnancy, and time interval between pregnancy termination and death. The surveillance staff requested guidelines on monitoring interregional transfers and technical assistance in developing action plans. Conclusion Active hospital surveillance must include all wards, including the emergency department. Community surveillance should include forensic pathologists. National leadership is needed to summarize trends, address policy, and provide technical assistance to the surveillance staff.

Background Health surveys provide important information on the burden and secular trends of risk factors and disease. Several factors including survey and item non-response can affect data quality. There are few reports on efficiency, validity and the impact of item non-response, from developing countries. This report examines factors associated with item non-response and study efficiency in a national health survey in a developing Caribbean island. Methods A national sample of participants aged 15–74 years was selected in a multi-stage sampling design accounting for 4 health regions and 14 parishes using enumeration districts as primary sampling units. Means and proportions of the variables of interest were compared between various categories. Non-response was defined as failure to provide an analyzable response. Linear and logistic regression models accounting for sample design and post-stratification weighting were used to identify independent correlates of recruitment efficiency and item non-response. Results We recruited 2012 15–74 year-olds (66.2% females) at a response rate of 87.6% with significant variation between regions (80.9% to 97.6%; p < 0.0001). Females outnumbered males in all parishes. The majority of subjects were recruited in a single visit, 39.1% required multiple visits varying significantly by region (27.0% to 49.8% [p < 0.0001]). Average interview time was 44.3 minutes with no variation between health regions, urban-rural residence, educational level, gender and SES; but increased significantly with older age category from 42.9 minutes in the youngest to 46.0 minutes in the oldest age category. Between 15.8% and 26.8% of persons did not provide responses for the number of sexual partners in the last year. Women and urban residents provided less data than their counterparts. Highest item non-response related to income at 30% with no gender difference but independently related to educational level, employment status, age group and health region. Characteristics of non-responders vary with types of questions. Conclusion Informative health surveys are possible in developing countries. While survey response rates may be satisfactory, item non-response was high in respect of income and sexual practice. In contrast to developed countries, non-response to questions on income is higher and has different correlates. These findings can inform future surveys.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of experiences with physical violence and psychological violence that health staff have had in the workplace in Jamaica, and to identify factors associated with those experiences of violence. DESIGN AND METHODS: A total of 832 health staff answered the standardized questionnaire that was used in this cross-sectional study. Sampling was done at public facilities, including specialist, tertiary, and secondary hospitals in the Kingston Metropolitan Area; general hospitals in the rural parishes; and primary care centers in urban and rural areas. Sampling was also done in private hospitals and private medical centers. RESULTS: Psychological violence was more prevalent than was physical violence. Verbal abuse had been experienced in the preceding year by 38.6% of the questionnaire respondents, bullying was reported by 12.4%, and physical violence was reported by 7.7%. In multivariate analyses there was a lower risk of physical violence for health staff who were 55 years or older, worked during the night, or worked mostly with mentally disabled patients, geriatric patients, or HIV/AIDS patients. Staff members working mostly with psychiatric patients faced a higher risk of physical assaults than did other health staff. Of the various health occupations, nurses were the ones most likely to be verbally abused. In terms of age ranges, bullying was more commonly experienced by health staff 40-54 years old. CONCLUSIONS: Violence in the health sector workplace in Jamaica is an occupational hazard that is of public health concern. Evaluation of the environment that creates risks for violence is necessary to guide the formulation of meaningful interventions for the country.

The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of high risk health behaviours among adult Jamaicans aged 15-49 years in 2000, and to compare the results with the 1993 survey. A nationally representative sample of 2013 persons aged 15-74 years was surveyed in 2000 using cluster sampling in the Jamaica Healthy Lifestyle Survey (Wilks et al, unpublished). Interviewer administered questionnaires and anthropometrical measurements were done. Data for a sub-sample of adults aged 15-49 years were analyzed The sub-sample included 1401 persons (473 men and 928 women). Significantly more men (18.6%) than women (4.3%) reported never having had a blood pressure check (p = 0.0001). Approximately one-third of the women reported that they had never had a Pap smear (36.0%) or a breast examination (31.2%). Current cigarette smoking was reported in 28.6% of men and 7.7% of women (OR 3.73 CI 2.71, 5.15), while 49.0% of men and 15.0% of women ever smoked marijuana (OR 3.28 CI 2.56, 4.20). Significantly more men (28.0%) than women (11.7%) reported ever having a sexually transmitted disease (OR 2.93 CI 2.16, 3.97); having more than one sexual partner in the past year (49.1% vs 11.4%, OR 4.31 CI 3.22, 5.76) and usually using a condom during sexual intercourse (55.3% vs 40.5%, OR 1.3 CI 1.11, 1.68). Between 1993 and 2000, significant trends include: more persons reported having a blood pressure check, a reduction in multiple sexual partners, increased condom use at last sex (women), reduced crack/cocaine use (males) and increased marijuana smoking. Although there were some significant positive lifestyle trends between 1993 and 2000, high risk behaviours remain common among Jamaican adults. Comprehensive health promotion programmes are needed to address these risk behaviours.

Exposure to violence in childhood is associated with aggression in adulthood. The high level of community violence in Jamaica is likely to expose Jamaican children to violence. There has been no detailed study of the exposure of Jamaican children to violence in their daily lives. Some 1674 urban 11-12-year-old children, previously part of a national birth cohort study, completed a questionnaire detailing their exposure to violence as witnesses, victims and aggressors. Their parents completed a socio-economic questionnaire. Jamaican children had high levels of exposure to physical violence. A quarter of the children had witnessed severe acts of physical violence such as robbery, shooting and gang wars, a fifth had been victims of serious threats or robbery and one in every twelve had been stabbed. Children reported being least exposed to sexual violence and to being shot at. Robbery was an almost universal experience affecting children from all schools and socio-economic groups. The single commonest experience as a victim of violence was the loss of a family member or close friend to murder, affecting 36.8% of children. Children's experiences of witnessing violence occurred chiefly in their communities but their personal experiences of violence occurred at school. Boys and children attending primary school had greater exposure to violence as witnesses and victims. Socio-economic status discriminated exposure to physical violence as witnesses but not as victims. Intervention strategies to reduce children's exposure to violence should include community education on the impact of exposure to violence on children, particularly the loss of a significant person, and the development of a range of school-based violence prevention programmes.

To determine whether changes in primary and secondary care service delivery could prevent antenatal eclampsia.One intervention (St. Catherine) and two control (St. Ann, Manchester) parishes were chosen. The health system in St. Catherine was restructured. Primary antenatal clinics had clear instructions for referring patients to a high-risk antenatal clinic or to hospital. Guidelines were provided to high-risk clinics and the antenatal ward for appropriate treatment of hypertension and preeclampsia when induction of labor should occur. Antenatal eclampsia incidence was monitored before and during the intervention and compared with control parishes (no intervention). Each eclampsia case was investigated to identify inadequacies in the system.The process resulted in better identification of women at risk. Antenatal eclampsia incidence dropped dramatically as care improved. Compared with control areas, by completion of the study, the rate was significantly lower than at the start: OR 0.19 (95% CI: 0.13-0.27; p0.001 trend). Antenatal admissions for hypertensive disorders declined significantly, and the number of bed days halved.Reorganization of maternal care can have major public health benefits and cost savings; however, women need to be alerted to recognise and act upon signs of impending eclampsia.

Violence, a leading cause of injuries and death, is recognized as a major public health problem. In 1996, injuries were the second leading cause of hospitalizations in Jamaica. The estimated annual cost of in-patient care for injuries was 11.6 million US dollars. To develop strategies to reduce the impact of violence-related injuries on Jamaican health care resources, the Ministry of Health, Division of Health Promotion and Protection (MOH/DHPP) in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Tropical Metabolic Research Institute, University of the West Indies Mona, designed and implemented a violence-related injury surveillance system (VRISS) at Kingston Public Hospital (KPH). In 1998, the VRISS, based on the International Classification of External Cause of Injury (ICECI), was implemented in the accident and emergency (AE) department of Jamaica's tertiary care hospital, KPH. VRISS collects demographic, method and circumstance of injury, victim-perpetrator relationship and patient's discharge status data. From 8/1/98 to 7/31/99, data on 6,107 injuries were collected. Injuries occurred primarily among males aged 25-44 years. Most injuries (54%; 3171) were caused by use of a sharp object. Nearly half (49%; 2992) were perpetrated by acquaintances. The majority, 70% (4,252), were the result of a fight or argument and 17% were admitted to the hospital. The VRISS utilized AE department data to characterize violence-related injuries in Jamaica, a resource-limited environment. These data will be used to guide intervention development to reduce violence-related injuries in Jamaica.

Objective:To determine the nutritional status of a cohort of 11–12 year olds and ascertain social and demographic factors associated with under- and overweight in early adolescence.Design:Cross-sectional.Subjects:Subgroup (n=1698) of the birth cohort (September–October 1986) of the Jamaican Perinatal Survey enrolled in schools in the Kingston Metropolitan area. One thousand and sixty-three parents or caregivers provided social and demographic information.Results:Undernutrition and overnutrition are of public health significance among adolescent Jamaican children. Ten per cent of 11–12 year olds had body mass index (BMI) values below the 5th percentile (boys, 10.6%; girls, 7.1%) but this prevalence is relatively low compared with other developing countries. The prevalence of stunting was low (3%). The prevalence of overweight (BMI≥85th percentile) (19.3%) was approaching prevalence rates found in the USA. Similar social and demographic variables were associated with thinness and fatness in males. Birth weight predicted overweight in girls.Conclusions:Under- and overnutrition in early adolescence are important problems in Jamaica. There is a need to address both under- and overnutrition in adolescence in preventive and rehabilitative intervention programmes.

After an outbreak in 2000 of eosinophilic meningitis in tourists to Jamaica, we looked for Angiostrongylus cantonensis in rats and snails on the island. Overall, 22% (24/109) of rats harbored adult worms, and 8% (4/48) of snails harbored A. cantonensis larvae. This report is the first of enzootic A. cantonensis infection in Jamaica, providing evidence that this parasite is likely to cause human cases of eosinophilic meningitis.

Objective: In this study we examined the effects of birth weight (BWT) and early life socioeconomic circumstances (SEC) on systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP, DBP) among Jamaican young adults. Study Design and Setting: Longitudinal study of 364 men and 430 women from the Jamaica 1986 Birth Cohort Study. Information on maternal SEC at birth and BWT were linked to information collected at 18-20 years old. Sex-specific multilevel linear regression models were used to examine whether adult SBP and DBP were associated with BWT and maternal SEC. Results: In unadjusted models, SBP was inversely related to BWT z-score in both men and women (beta = -0.82 and -1.18, respectively) but achieved statistical significance for women only. After adjustments for current age, current BMI, current height, maternal age and mother's occupation at child's birth, a one standard deviation (SD) unit increase in BWT was associated with 1.16 mmHg reduction in SBP among men (95%CI -2.15, -0.17; p=0.021) and a 1.34 mmHg reduction in SBP among women (95%CI -2.21, -0.47; p=0.003). High maternal occupational SEC at birth was consistently associated with lowest SBP across the standardized BWT distribution. SBP was 2-4 mmHg lower among those with high SEC mothers at birth than among those whose mothers were unemployed at birth. Conclusion: SBP at 18-20 years-old was lowest among those whose mothers had high SEC at birth and was inversely related to BWT.

Vital statistics underestimate the prevalence of perinatal and infant deaths. This is particularly significant when these parameters affect eligibility for international assistance for newly emerging nations.To determine the level of registration of livebirths, stillbirths and infant deaths in Jamaica.Births, stillbirths and neonatal deaths identified during a cross-sectional study (1986); and infant deaths identified in six parishes (1993) were matched to vital registration documents filed with the Registrar General.While 94% of livebirths were registered by one year of age (1986), only 13% of stillbirths (1986) and 25% of infant deaths (1993) were registered. Post neonatal deaths were more likely to be registered than early neonatal deaths. Frequently the birth was not registered when the infant died. Birth registration rates were highest in parishes with high rates of hospital deliveries (rs = 0.97, P0.001) where institutions notify the registrar of each birth. Hospital deaths, however, were less likely to be registered than community deaths as registrars are not automatically notified of these deaths.To improve vital registration, institutions should become registration centres for all vital events occurring there (births, stillbirths, deaths). Recommendations aimed at modernizing the vital registration system in Jamaica and other developing countries are also made.Vital statistics indicate only part of the actual prevalence of perinatal and infant mortality. Findings are reported from a study conducted to determine the level of registration of live births, stillbirths, and infant deaths in Jamaica. Births, stillbirths, and neonatal deaths identified during a 1986 cross-sectional study and infant deaths identified in six parishes during 1993 were matched to vital registration documents filed with the Registrar General. While 94% of live births were registered by one year of age, only 13% of stillbirths and 25% of infant deaths were so registered. Post neonatal deaths were more likely to be registered than early neonatal deaths. Frequently the birth was not registered when the infant died. Birth registration rates were highest in parishes with high rates of hospital deliveries where institutions notify the registrar of each birth. Hospital deaths, however, were less likely to be registered than community deaths since registrars are not automatically noticed of such deaths. Institutions should register all vital events occurring there.

Summary. Data from the Jamaican Perinatal Mortality Survey had been used to create a statistical model using logistic regression.1 From this a simple additive scoring system to predict perinatal death was devised and tested on the 2 cohort months of the study. The score had a theoretical range of 0–28 points, with the higher the score, the greater the likelihood of a perinatal death. For a cut-point of 7, sensitivity was 43% and specificity 84%. A cut-point of 8 resulted in 27% sensitivity and 94% specificity. Higher cut-points resulted in much reduced sensitivity but enhanced specificity (e.g. cut-point 10: 11% sensitivity, 99% specificity). However, it is likely that these estimates are optimistically high, and to achieve unbiased estimates of sensitivity and specificity the score needs to be tested on a sample of the population from which it was not derived before implementation takes place. Meanwhile, the cut-off level for implementation will depend on appropriate resources available.

All perinatal deaths occurring over a 12-month period on the island of Jamaica were classified using the Wigglesworth schema. In all, there were 584 antepartum fetal deaths (incidence 10.7 per 1000 total births). Comparison of the 558 singleton deaths with 9919 singleton survivors revealed, using logistic regression, strong associations with union (marital) status, maternal employment status, the composition of the household, the sole use of a toilet by the household, the parish of residence, whether the mother was trying to get pregnant and the mother's age (the older the mother the higher the risk). Independent of these factors were strong statistically significant relationships with syphilis, diabetes, maternal anaemia, third-trimester bleeding, highest diastolic blood pressure of 90mm or more and highest proteinuria of ++ or more. Mothers who had taken prophylactic iron were at substantially lower risk compared with those who had not. We conclude that appropriate identification and treatment of syphilis, diabetes, anaemia and hypertension give the best chance of reduction of the high antepartum fetal death rate on the island.

Summary. The Jamaican Perinatal Mortality Survey compared all 2069 perinatal deaths occurring during the 12 months between 1 September 1986 and 31 August 1987 with 10086 survivors born in the 2 months of September and October 1986. The Wigglesworth classification identified 44% of the deaths as attributable to intrapartum asphyxia (IPA), and this grouping was largely confirmed by post-mortem examination where it had been carried out. About half of these babies weighed 2500 g + and death should have been largely preventable. Comparison of the 813 IPA singleton deaths with 9919 singleton survivors using logistic regression showed independent associations with maternal employment status, the number of children in the household, maternal height, whether or not the mother was trying to get pregnant, or had ever used an intrauterine contraceptive device. Medical conditions such as syphilis, untreated vaginal infection, bleeding < 28 weeks, bleeding 28+ weeks, highest diastolic and first diastolic blood pressures and eclamptic fits antenatally were all strongly associated. Mothers who commenced antenatal care in the first trimester were at reduced risk as were those who took iron during pregnancy. There were substantial reductions in mortality in areas where better medical facilities were available. To this model, features of previous obstetric history were offered, but the only variables which entered were those relating to prior perinatal deaths and immediately preceding miscarriage and termination. Examination of specific features in the management of labour and delivery is a logical basis for the introduction of changes in practice. Caesarean section is unlikely to be appropriate but it is suggested that more active interventions in terms of use of forceps and/or vacuum extraction may be useful.

In an attempt to identify causes of perinatal mortality and thence devise preventative strategies on the island of Jamaica, a study was made of the 1847 singleton perinatal deaths occurring over the 12-month period between 1 September 1986 and 31 August 1987. Complications of the pregnancy were elicited by questioning the mother as well abstracting data from the antenatal and clinical obstetric records. The deaths were classified using the Wigglesworth categorisation and the three largest groups were chosen for special study: antepartum fetal deaths, deaths of live birth from immaturity and deaths from intrapartum asphyxia. The medical features of the pregnancies were compared with data similarly obtained from 9919 women delivering singletons in the 2 months of September and October 1986 and who survived the first week of life. Unadjusted statistically significant associations were found with maternal syphilis, vaginal infection or discharge, bleeding in the first two trimesters, bleeding in the third trimester, lowest haemoglobin, highest diastolic and first diastolic blood pressures, highest level of proteinuria, diabetes and antenatal eclampsia. Logistic regression taking account of social, environmental and health behaviour variables showed the following significant relationships. Antepartum fetal death was associated with adjusted odds ratio (AOR) for syphilis 2.88 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.91, 4.32], bleeding in third trimester 3.86 [2.73, 5.44], highest diastolic blood pressure (P < 0.0001), highest level of proteinuria (P < 0.0001), lowest Hb (P < 0.0001) and antenatal eclamptic fits AOR 4.62 [1.47, 14.50]. Deaths from immaturity were independently associated with bleeding < 28 weeks AOR 3.50 [2.39, 5.13], bleeding 28 + weeks AOR 1.93 [1.16, 3.22], highest diastolic blood pressure (P < 0.01) and highest level of proteinuria (P < 0.0001). Infection featured in deaths associated with intrapartum asphyxia, with syphilis AOR 2.17 [1.44, 3.26] and vaginal infection/discharge (P < 0.01) independently associated; other strong associations were bleeding < 28 weeks AOR 2.10 [1.57, 2.81], bleeding 28 + weeks AOR 2.32 [1.62, 3.33], highest diastolic blood pressure (P < 0.0001), first diastolic blood pressure (P < 0.0001) and antenatal eclampsia AOR 6.70 [2.63, 17.13]. For all perinatal deaths combined, independent features were syphilis AOR 2.06 [1.49, 2.85], vaginal infection/discharge (P < 0.001), bleeding < 28 weeks AOR 2.01 [1.60, 2.53], bleeding 28 + weeks AOR 2.65 [2.02, 3.48], highest diastolic blood pressure (P < 0.0001), first diastolic blood pressure (P < 0.0001), proteinuria (P < 0.0001) and antenatal eclampsia AOR 4.22 [1.76, 10.14]. The results help identify areas for monitoring and identifying pregnancies at highest risk.

Singleton survivors born to multigravidae in the whole island of Jamaica in 2 months (September-October 1986) were compared with singleton perinatal deaths occurring to multigravidae throughout the island in the 12-month period September 1986 to August 1987. Past obstetric history was obtained from the mothers using a structured questionnaire. Deaths were categorised using the Wigglesworth classification. Logistic regression was used to compare current outcomes in women who had had at least one previous pregnancy. Antepartum fetal deaths with (1) outcome of last pregnancy; (2) previous Caesarean section; (3) previous stillbirth; and (4) increasing gravidity. In the presence of these factors maternal age ceased to be statistically significant. Deaths from immaturity were strongly associated with the past obstetric history, with increased risks for pregnancies to mothers with a history of previous miscarriage, perinatal death and premature live births. In general, however, the higher the gravidity the lower the risk. In the presence of these factors, maternal age showed no significant association. Intrapartum asphyxia was also associated with the outcome of the last pregnancy, history of prior stillbirth or neonatal death. First pregnancies were at significantly higher risk than second pregnancies (P < 0.05). For perinatal deaths as a whole, and in the presence of maternal age, the following were statistically significant independent factors: (1) the outcome of the immediately preceding pregnancy (high risks associated with prior miscarriage, stillbirth and premature live births); (2) previous Caesarean section (increased risk); (3) previous perinatal deaths; and (4) more than one prior early fetal loss. The results indicated that prior poor obstetric history bears similar risks of subsequent adverse outcome in the developing as in the developed world. There was no variation in risk, however, with interpregnancy interval or previous termination. Much of the variation in risk of perinatal death with maternal age among multigravidae appears largely to be secondary to past obstetric history.

In 1998, in response to the escalating problem of violence and its impact on all sectors of the society, the Ministry of Health (MOH), Jamaica, established a pilot violence-related injury surveillance system (VRISS) in the country's leading public hospital, the Kingston Public Hospital (KPH) situated in the nation's capital. After six months' operation, VRISS was extended to include all injuries. Nine months later, the Jamaican Injury Surveillance System (JISS) was successfully introduced to four other hospitals and has been in operation since. Extension to an additional six institutions was implemented at the end of 2001. What were the challenges faced in introducing an injury surveillance system into the Accident & Emergency Department (A&E) of a general hospital, how they were overcome and what were the lessons learnt in the process?