ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Violence-related injuries are common in Caribbean countries such as Jamaica and are a major cause of mortality and morbidity. The study examined the epidemiology of violence-related injuries and ascertained the extent to which the utilization of violence-related injury reports and surveillances inform health policy and programme planning implementation in Jamaica. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Primary data was gathered by the Ministry of Health through its Public Hospital Monthly Statistical Reporting System (HMSR) and the Jamaica Injury Surveillance System (JISS). These data files were collected over a four and five year period respectively. The sample size comprised 187,610 cases (117,615 from HMSR) and (69,995 from JISS) which were seen and treated at the public hospitals in Jamaica because of violence-related injuries. This study employed a descriptive analysis of visits and cases (episodes) relating to violence-relating injuries. Simple random sampling method was used in this study and the data was analysed using both Microsoft Excel and the Statistical Package for Social Scientists 18.0. RESULTS: The highest number of violence-related injuries was in 2007 and assault (stab wounds, gunshot and blunt injury) was the most frequent violence-related injury with human bites, and burns being the least. The highest number of violence-related injuries in males and females was in the age group 20-29 y. More males experienced violence-related injuries compared with females with male to female ratio of 1.35:1 to 1.45:1 in the years considered. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study are consonant with local and international studies and confirm that assault was the most frequent violence-related injury. Males compared with their female counterparts are a stronger demographic risk factor where violence-related injuries are concerned. Violence-related injuries have spurred the charge for effective interventions, policy initiatives, and strategic and programme planning by the Ministry of Health, through multi-sectoral and multi-agency approaches in Jamaica.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Tobacco use is a leading cause of preventable morbidity and mortality from non-communicable diseases. The objectives of the study were to determine the percentage of annual income used to purchase tobacco-related products and treat tobacco-related illnesses, and assess the characteristics of smokers and their awareness of the health-related risks of smoking. METHOD: Stratified and snowball sampling methods were used to obtain information (via a 17-item, close-ended questionnaire) from 85 adult respondents (49 males and 36 females). The instrument comprised of demographic characteristics, smoking behavioural/lifestyle, health, and micro socio-economics. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between individuals who were affected by chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) (14.1%) and cardiovascular disease (18.8%). It was found that respondents spend 30-39% of their annual income on tobacco-related products. Forty percent (40.0%) and 41.7% of respondents with lung cancer and COPD respectively spend more than 50% of their annual income to treat these diseases. The majority (80%) of those who continues to consume tobacco-related products were uncertain as to why they were doing it. Not all the smokers were aware of the dangers of tobacco consumption despite their level of education. CONCLUSION: The majority of the respondents who had tobacco-related illnesses such as lung cancer and COPD spend a significant amount of their income on their health care. Not all the smokers were aware of the dangers of tobacco consumption despite their level of education. This suggests the need for increase public awareness where both smokers and non smokers are being fully or adequately informed about the dangers or health risks of tobacco consumption.
