ABSTRACT
The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of beta-haemolytic streptococci in the pharynx and antibodies to beta-haemolytic streptococci in school children 5-15 years of age in the tri-island state of Grenada Blood samples and throat swabs were obtained from 1388 school children, aged 5-15 years old attending randomly selected schools in each parish of the tri-island state of Grenada. Serum samples were subjected to antistreptolysin o testing (ASOT) while throat swabs were cultured on sheep blood agar plates. The prevalence of positive throat swab was 15.4 (95 CI = 13.4, 17.2). The rate was highest in St Patrick (21.8) and lowest in Carriacou (5.7). The prevalence of antibodies was 38.6 (95 CI = 37.6, 42.8). It was highest in St Patrick (54.4) and lowest in Petit Martinique (26.8). In St Patrick, males were significantly more likely than females to have a positive ASOT (p = 0.0084). In St George's, males were significantly more likely than females to have a positive throat culture (p = 0.0172). Thirty-four per cent of the positive cultures were type A, 10 were type C and 56 type G. The data illustrate that there is a high prevalence of beta-haemolytic streptococci in school children in certain parishes in Grenada. Public health measures should address prevention and control of beta3-haemolytic streptococcal infection in order to prevent the possible sequelae of this disease
El objetivo de este estudio es determinar el predominio de estreptococos ß-haemolíticos en la región faríngea y los anticuerpos de los estreptococos ß-hemolíticos en escolares de 5 a 15 años de edad en el Estado tri-insular de Granada. Se obtuvieron muestras de sangres e hisopos de garganta de 1,388 escolares comprendidos en las edades de 5 a 15 años, que asistían a escuelas seleccionadas de manera aleatoria, en cada parroquia del Estado tri-insular de Granada. Muestras de suero fueron sometidas a la prueba de antistreptolisina O (ASTO), mientras que las muestras tomadas de los hisopos de garganta fueron cultivadas en placas de agar de sangre bovina. La prevalencia de muestras de garganta positivas fue 15.4% (95% CI = 13.4%, 17.2%). Los por cientos más elevados correspondieron a Saint Patrick (21.8%) y los más bajos a Carriacou (5.7%). El predominio de anticuerpos fue de 38.6% (95% CI = 37.6%, 42.8%). El más alto correspondió a Saint Patrick (54.4%) y el más bajo a Petit Martinique (26.8%). En Saint Patrick, la probabilidad de tener un ASTO positivo (p=0.0084) fue significativamente más alta en los hombres que en las mujeres. En Saint George's, la probabilidad de tener un cultivo de garganta positivo, fue significativamente más alta en los hombres (p = 0.0172) que en las mujeres. El treinta y cuatro por ciento de los cultivos positivos fueron del tipo A, el 10% fue del tipo C y el 56% del tipo G. Los datos indican que hay un alto predominio de estreptococos ß-hemolíticos en los niños escolares en ciertas parroquias de Granada. Las medidas de salud públicas deben dirigirse a la prevención y control de la infección estreptocócica ß-hemolítica, a fin de prevenir las posibles secuelas de esta enfermedad
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Child, Preschool , Child , Adolescent , Rheumatic Fever/epidemiology , Streptococcal Infections/epidemiology , Communicable Disease Control , Rheumatic Fever/prevention & control , Grenada/epidemiology , Streptococcal Infections/prevention & control , MorbidityABSTRACT
This paper summarizes and discusses the available cancer incidence (1996-2000) and mortality data (1990-2000) for the tri-island Caribbean nation of Grenada, Carriacou and Petit Martinique. Data for the analysis came from three sources: the Grenada Department of Statistics, the histopathology specimen books from St George's General Hospital and the Death Registry of the Ministry of Health, Grenada. The age-standardized rates (ASR) per 100 000 for all cancer sites combined were 170.2 in females and 158.2 in males. The four most frequent diagnoses (ASR) by cancer site in females were cervix (60.7), breast (49.1), uterus (28.4) and skin (13.3); and among males, prostate (61.4), bladder (16.3), skin (19.3) and stomach (10). Age-standardized mortality rates per 100 000 for all cancer sites combined were 105.4 in females and 165 in males. The four most frequent cancer associated mortalities (ASR) in females were breast (17.9), uterus (11.2), colon (10.3) and cervix (9.7); and among males, prostate (53.6), lung (18.7), stomach (14.5) and colon (10.9). This study found statistically significant spatial trends for overall cancer mortality and temporal trends in incidence and mortality rates for prostate and for incidence rates of stomach cancer. These rates are compared with those from other areas in the Caribbean and the United States of America and encourage efforts to establish a cancer registry in Grenada
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Infant, Newborn , Infant , Child, Preschool , Child , Adolescent , Adult , Middle Aged , Neoplasms/epidemiology , Population Surveillance , Grenada/epidemiology , Incidence , Neoplasms/mortalityABSTRACT
The prevalence of human hydatidosis in eastern U.P. is higher than western U.P. Maximum infection was noticed in liver followed by lungs. The prevalence rate shows considerable variation with respect to sex and age of the patients. Comparison of the present data with previous reports suggests an increasing trend in the prevalence of this disease. Various epidemiological factors responsible for this disease have also been discussed.