A knowledge, attitude and practices study of the issues of climate change/variability impacts and public health in Trinidad and Tobago, and St Kitts and Nevis / Un estudio de conocimientos, actitudes y prácticas (CAP) de los problemas del cambio climático/variabilidad de los impactos y salud pública en Trinidad y Tobago y St Kitts Nevis

OBJECTIVE: To determine the level of understanding of the issues of climate change (CC)/variability (CV) and public health by populations of St Kitts and Nevis (SKN) and Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) and to find whether respondents would be willing to incorporate these values into strategies for dengue fever (DF) prevention. DESIGN AND METHODS: Using a cluster sampling system, representative samples of the communities of SKN (227) and T&T (650) were surveyed for responses to a questionnaire document with questions on the impact of climate variability on health, the physical environment, respondents' willingness to utilize climate issues to predict and adapt to climate variability for DF prevention. Data were analyzed by Epi Info. RESULTS: Sixty-two per cent SKN and 55% T&T of respondents showed some understanding of the concept of climate change (CC) and distinguished this from climate variability (CV). With regard to causes of CC, 48% SKN and 50% T&T attributed CC to all of green houses gases, holes in the ozone layer burning of vegetation and vehicular exhaust gases. However some 39.3% SKN and 31% (T&T) did not answer this question. In response to ranking issues of life affected by CC/CV in both countries, respondents ranked them: health > water resources > agriculture > biodiversity > coastal degradation. The major health issues identified for SKN and T&T respondents were: food-borne diseases > water-borne diseases > heat stresses; vector-borne diseases were only ranked 4th and 5th for SKN and T&T respondents respectively. There was in both countries a significant proportion of respondents (p < 0.001) who reported wet season-related increase of DF cases as a CC/CV link. Respondents identified use of environmental sanitation (ES) at appropriate times as a method of choice of using CC/CV to prevent DF outbreaks. More than 82% in both countries saw the use of the CC/CV information for DF prevention by prediction and control as strategic but only 50-51...

OBJETIVO: Determinar los niveles de comprensión de los problemas del cambio climático (CC)/ variabilidad (CV) y salud pública por parte de las poblaciones de St Kitts y Nevis (SKN) y Trinidad y Tobago (T&T), y averiguar si los encuestados estarían dispuestos a incorporar estos valores en las estrategias para la previsión de la fiebre del dengue (FD). DISEÑO Y MÉTODOS: Usando un sistema de muestreo por conglomerados, muestras representativas de las comunidades de SKN (227) y de T&T (650) fueron encuestadas mediante un cuestionario en el que se les pedía responder preguntas sobre el impacto de la variabilidad del clima sobre la salud, el ambiente físico, y la disposición de los encuestados a aprovechar las cuestiones del clima para predecir y adaptarse a la variabilidad climática a fin de prevenir la FD. Los datos fueron analizados mediante Epi Info. RESULTADOS: Sesenta y dos por ciento de los encuestados de SKN y el 55% de los de T&T, mostraron cierta comprensión del concepto de cambio climático (CC) y fueron capaces de diferenciarlo de la variabilidad climática (CV). En relación con las causas del CC, el 48% (SKN) y el 50% (T&T) atribuyó el CC a los gases de efecto invernadero, los agujeros en la capa de ozono, la quema de la vegetación, y los gases de escape de vehículos.

Serum cholinesterase levels of vector control workers in Trinidad, West Indies 1979-1982

During the period 1979-1982, serum cholinesterase levels were determined in blood samples collectedfrom workers employed at the Insect Vector Control Division, Trinidad, W.I. A total of 1,162 blood samples were collected, of which 116 showed suppressed cholinesterase levels. Those workers with low serum cholinesterase levels included 46 residual spraymen, 66 Aedes aegypti operators and 4 controls. The difference in number of spraymen and Aedes operations with low cholinesterase levels was significant (p<.001). No significant differences were found in the number of Aedes operators with low cholinesterase levels from North and South Trinidad. Similarly, no differences were found in the number of residual spraymen from North and South Trinidad with low cholinesterase levels. A total of 7 Aedes operators and 4 residual spraymen had persistently low serum cholinesterase levels. It is likely that the main areas of absorption were the hands and forearms, with further absorption occurin via respiration. The need for continuous monitoring and supervision of vector contro workers who handle insecticides is stressed