ABSTRACT
This study was undertaken to compare the alcohol consumption patterns of Tobago and Jamaica and to assess the impact of alcohol consumption and of alcoholism on mortality. In both Tobago and Jamaica the mean number of alcoholic drinks consumed is less at the extremes of youth and age, and heavy and very heavy drinking patterns were similar. Heavy and very heavy drinking patterns and percentage frequency of abstainers and light drinkers were similar in the two islands. CAGE responses consistent with alcoholism were present in 14.3 percent males and 1.1 percent females (p <0.001) in Tobago. In fitting a logistic regression model for all-cause mortality, a CAGE response of > 2 had a risk ratio of 4.56 (1.25, 16.6), higher than that of any cardiovascular risk factor evaluated (AU)
Subject(s)
Adult , Middle Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Aged , Adolescent , Mortality , Alcohol Drinking/epidemiology , Trinidad and TobagoABSTRACT
This study traces the problem of substance abuse (alcohol,cocaine) in Trinidad and Tobago. (AU)
Subject(s)
Humans , Substance-Related Disorders/epidemiology , Alcoholism/epidemiology , Cocaine , Caribbean RegionABSTRACT
An historical look at British Caribbean psychiatry
Subject(s)
Humans , Psychiatry , Caribbean RegionABSTRACT
An historical look at British Caribbean psychiatry
Subject(s)
Humans , Psychiatry/history , Caribbean Region , Developing CountriesABSTRACT
This study traces the problem of substance abuse(alcohol,cocaine) in trinidad and Tobago. It includes 24 charts,diagrams, etc
Subject(s)
Humans , Substance-Related Disorders/epidemiology , Trinidad and Tobago , Alcoholism/epidemiology , Caribbean Region , Cocaine , Developing CountriesABSTRACT
This study traces the problem of substance abuse (alcohol,cocaine) in Trinidad and Tobago.
Subject(s)
Humans , Alcoholism/epidemiology , Cocaine , Substance-Related Disorders/epidemiology , Caribbean RegionABSTRACT
An historical look at British Caribbean psychiatry
Subject(s)
Humans , Caribbean Region , Developing Countries , PsychiatryABSTRACT
Addresses alcohol and alcohol-related problems as they affect the Caribbean
Subject(s)
Humans , Alcoholism/epidemiology , Caribbean RegionABSTRACT
Addresses alcohol and alcohol-related problems as they affect the Caribbean
Subject(s)
Humans , Alcoholism/epidemiology , Caribbean Region , Developing CountriesABSTRACT
Addresses alcohol and alcohol-related problems as they affect the Caribbean
Subject(s)
Humans , Alcoholism/epidemiology , Caribbean RegionABSTRACT
Addresses alcohol and alcohol-related problems as they affect the Caribbean
Subject(s)
Humans , Alcoholism , Caribbean Region , Developing CountriesABSTRACT
Three cases of neuroleptic malignant syndrome (N.M.S.) have come to our attention at the General Hospital, Port-of-Spain, in the past three years. The authors wish to report in detail the first case in a West Indian patient of mixed African descent (AU)
Subject(s)
Female , Adult , Humans , Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome/etiology , Haloperidol/adverse effects , Africa/ethnology , Haloperidol/therapeutic use , Schizophrenia/drug therapy , Trinidad and Tobago , Trinidad and TobagoABSTRACT
Hospital admission figures, cirrhosis death rates, per capita alcohol consumption rates and other indices have for many years indicated a high prevalence of alcoholism in Trinidad and Tobago. A six-month survey of the Medical wards, Port-of-SPain General Hospital by Prasad in 1979 showed that 47 percent of male admissions and 5 percent of female admissions were alcohol-related. Beaubrun (1978)) demonstrated a close inverse relationship (r = -0.978) between total motor vehicle and the real price of rum, i.e. the price relative to average personal income. Trinidad and Tobago has one of the highest per capita motor vehicle accident rates anywhere, even higher than the United States and very much higher than Europe. It is well established that alcohol is the single most important factor yet identified in traffic accidents wherever this has been studied. Nevertheless, there has been some reluctance to enact B.A.C. laws and to introduce the Breathalyser and other controls until more specific local research has been done to establish clearly the relationship between alcohol and such accidents. For these reasons a survey was carried out in December 1984 to determine the blood alcohol concentrations of all persons seen at the Casualty Department of the Port-of-Spain General Hospital as a result of traffic accidents. PROCEDURE: A pilot study was carried out first to refine the schedule for use in the study and to test its feasibility. A one-month survey was then carried out. Blood specimens were taken of all victims and a schedule filled out. Venous blood specimens were taken in Fluoride Oxalate and analyzed by a staff member of the Department of Pathology. Thirty-eight (38) accident victims were seen. More than 68 percent had blood alcohol concentrations higher than 0.05 percent (50mg. per 100 ml) and 55 percent had concentrations higher than 0.08 percent (80 mg per 100 ml) which is the legal limit in the United Kingdom. Blood specimens from three (3) controls, i.e. not involved in accidents, showed levels of between .002 percent (2mg percent) and .011 percent (11 mg percent). Many of the accident victims had B.A.Cs well over 0.1 percent (100 mg/100ml), and some were over 0.2 percent (200mg/100ml), levels of 0.2 percent could only be tolerated by habitual excessive drinkers who have developed considerable tolerance. The findings of this preliminary study point to an urgent need for B.A.C. legislation and the introduction of the breathalyser and other preventive strategies aimed at reducing the drinking/driving hazard (AU)
