The Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Mask Use for COVID-19 Among the Students of the University of the West Indies in Trinidad and Tobago

⮚ Coronavirus Disease 2019 was declared a pandemic on March 11, 2020. ⮚ Facemasks are recommended by the WHO to prevent droplet and aerosol transmission even in vaccinated persons ⮚ The study aims to investigate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of mask use for COVID-19 among the student population of The University of West Indies, St. Augustine.

Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices towards the flu (influenza) vaccine and Covid-19 vaccines amongst university staff and university students in Trinidad and Tobago

• Vaccines prevent and control public health outbreaks through creating antibodies . • As of July 3rd, 2021, 105,586 persons were vaccinated with two doses. • Available vaccines at the time, were AstraZeneca (viral vector) and Sinopharm (inactivated vaccines). • The Covid-19 vaccine must be utilized for herd immunity to occur to prevent strains in the health system in Trinidad and Tobago.

Demographic profiling of Caribbean and United Kingdom student nurses' use of social media for professional development

Background: Most students are adept in using technology and have developed skills and confidence utilising SoMe for professional purposes. SoMe is used by both registered nurses and student nurses. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the professional use of SoMe by student nurses in Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica and the UK to guide, support and develop implementation of effective and appropriate use of SoMe for professional development. Methods: An online cross-sectional survey was completed by student nurses from the three countries. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics. Results: The main reason for using social media among Caribbean participants was to watch videos or short clips whereas in UK it was downloading articles. Over 75% participants of all ages believed that social media was likely to help their career. There is no social media guidance for student nurses in Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that social media is embedded in student nurses' professional development throughout their education, with some variation in their use by country. Despite the fundamental place that social media plays in student nurses' professional development, there is no national or international guidance on how student nurses should use social media for professional development.

International student nurses' use of social media for learning: A cross sectional survey

Background: Students use social media for sharing information and connecting with their friends, also for peer support, peer learning and student engagement. Research indicates that approximately twice the number of students were using social media for educational purposes compared to academic staff and almost all students discuss academic issues on social media. However, little is known about how diverse cohorts of student nurses use social media for specific purposes at different stages of their learning. Objectives: Identify how student nurses in each country of study use social media for learning. Identify how each generation of student nurses use social media for learning. Identify how student nurses use social media as their education progresses. Design: A cross-sectional survey. Settings: The study was undertaken across three countries Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and the UK. Participants: Student nurses from each of the countries that consented to participate met the inclusion criteria. Methods: 1050 student nurses across the three countries self-completed the cross-sectional survey between March and September 2019. Data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: WhatsApp® was the most used platform for learning amongst participants. Watching videos and downloading articles represented two-thirds of social media usage for learning. Smart phones were the most used device to access social media. Kruskal-Wallis tests were significant (≤0.001) for checking social media and messaging in lecture, use of social media for studies and classroom activities by country, generation (except classroom activities) and year of education. Use of social media for classroom activities had no significance by generation. Conclusion: Country, generation and year of education are factors that influence the use of social media in student nurses' learning. These should be considered by Universities in curriculum development and in teaching and learning delivery. From a pragmatic approach, social media is available and used by a majority of student nurses and can be widely assimilated into the nursing curriculum

Depression among tertiary education students in a developing country

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of depression among students at The University of the West Indies, St Augustine campus over the period 2014–2015. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: A cross-sectional study utilizing convenience sampling was executed between January and May 2015. A self-administered questionnaire based on the Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale-Revised (CESD-R) was formulated by the addition of demographic and other variables and was distributed to a total of 1020 undergraduate students at The University of the West Indies, St Augustine. The acquired data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) for Windows 8. RESULTS: With a response rate of 95.2%, the study revealed the overall prevalence of depression to be 39.8%, with 39.3% of non-medical students and 40.2% of medical students being depressed (95%CI). The factors statistically associated with depression were religion (p = 0.013), smoking (p < 0.001), alcohol consumption (p < 0.001), illicit drug use (p = 0.008) and being previously treated for depression (p < 0.001). More than two-thirds (69.5%) of respondents thought that they could recognize the symptoms of personal depression; however, 53.5% of them misdiagnosed themselves as not being depressed (95%CI). A quarter (24.9%) of respondents believed there is a stigma attached to seeking help for depression while 37.8% of them were unaware of the available counseling resources (95%CI). CONCLUSION: The overall prevalence of depression at The University of the West Indies, St Augustine campus during the 2014–2015 period was found to be 39.8%. The factors associated with depression were alcohol consumption, illicit drug use, smoking, religion and a previous diagnosis of depression.

Self-rated health, traumatic experiences and SAS students satisfaction with life

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether there is a correlation between early traumatic experiences self-rated health and satisfaction with life. DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY: A 147-item close-ended self-administered questionnaire was completed by 52% of students enrolled in the School of Arts and Science. The study forms part of a health behavior survey among university students from low and middle income countries. RESULTS: Students were moderate in rating their health with almost 75% rating their health between fair and good. They were generally dissatisfied with their lives (82.4%) with 58.7% being moderately dissatisfied and 23.7% being very dissatisfied. Twenty-four percent of students reported experiencing serious injuries. Of those reporting traumatic experiences, 12.4% reported to have been hit by a sex partner; 10.6% reported to have been forced to have sex; 10% reported to have been physically abused as a child and 7.5% reported to have been sexually abused as a child. Satisfaction with life correlated with being physically abused as a child and being hit by a sex partner. Self-rated health correlated with being physically abused as a child and sexually abused as a child. CONCLUSION: Self-rated health and satisfaction with life provide a good overall assessment of an individual’s health and wellbeing. Further research is needed to understand the basis for the lack of satisfaction with life.

Intakes of high-iron and high-vitamin C foods by students at high risk for the development of iron deficiency anaemia

OBJECTIVE: To assess intakes of high-iron and high-vitamin C foods among year one students at the University of the West Indies (UWI), St Augustine Campus, who are at high risk for the development of iron deficiency anaemia stratified by gender, ethnicity and vegetarian status. DESIGN AND METHODS: The sample included 170 year one UWI students. Participants were divided equally based on gender using quota sampling. Frequency of consumption of high- and low-iron foods, as well as vitamin C consumption was assessed based on a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). RESULTS: About one-half (48%) of the participants consumed vitamin C supplements every day. Through dietary assessment, 57% of the students were found to be at risk for the development of iron deficiency anaemia. Only 10% of the participants never consumed any of the foods decreasing iron bioavailability listed in the FFQ. Overall, 30% of the participants never consumed high-iron containing foods. Only 36% of the participants consumed foods that increase iron absorption every day, whereas 4% never consumed them. No significance difference was found between the risk for the development of iron deficiency anaemia and the intakes of vitamin C, by ethnicity, vegetarian status and gender. CONCLUSION: Males were found to consume more high-iron containing foods. Females were more at risk for the development of iron deficiency anaemia. Participants of African descents consumed more high-iron containing foods. Participants of African and mixed raced consumed less foods that decrease iron absorption.

Infertility knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs of college students in Grenada

OBJECTIVE: To assess attitudes and extent of knowledge college students in Grenada have towards infertility. DESIGN AND METHODS: Hand-administered survey using a convenient sample. The sole college located on the island of Grenada: T.A. Marryshow Community College. Five hundred and eight college students over the age of 16 participated in this study with females comprising 65.7% (n = 334). The main outcome measure was the level of knowledge on the causes and treatment options of infertility. RESULTS: There was a moderate level of knowledge among males and females with regards to the risk factors that may cause infertility. The majority of participants believed that God’s will and the power of prayer can cause and treat infertility. Overall, a greater proportion of female students answered more questions correctly in comparison to the male students. CONCLUSIONS: There is a notable lack of basic knowledge among Grenadian college students about the causes of infertility. Additionally, among these students, there is the perception that women are more susceptible to infertility than men. Education programs and community support groups are recommended to increase knowledge on the causes of infertility as well as decrease the stigma of this condition.

Students' Perspectives on the Educational Environment in a Caribbean dental School during Pre-clinical Years

This study aims to elicit student perspectives of the learning environment at the University of the West Indies, St Augustine dental school during their pre-clinical years of undergraduate training. A questionnaire was administered to all pre-clinical students of the dental school in 2009. The data collected were analyzed using SPSS. Library and learning resources, student-faculty-administration relationships, meaningful experience and breath-of-interest were the survey subheadings rated most favourably. Student support, flexibility and emotional climate were the survey subheadings which received the most unfavourable ratings. These findings were in congruence of that of similar studies of US and UK medical and dental Schools. Trinidadian students rated library and learning resources significantly lower than non-Trinidadian students. Males rated student-student interaction significantly higher than females. The UWI School of Dentistry needs to focus on the allocation of resources to increase student awareness of its student support systems that are available to them - especially those that deal with student stress and coping skills. It also needs to re-examine its learning environment as it pertains to flexibility.

Perceptions and experiences of violence among secondary school students in urban Jamaica

Objective. To obtain information on the perceptions and experiences of violence among secondary school students in Kingston, Jamaica, and its environs. Methods. Data collection was carried out from September through December 1998. Two researchers administered questionnaires in 11 randomly selected secondary schools, to a total of 1,710 students who were in either grade 7 or grade 9 and who were aged 9-17 years old (mean of 13.2 years). Frequency distributions of the responses were compared by gender, age, grade level, socioeconomic status, and school type. Results. Seventy-five percent of the students thought that someone who was reluctant to fight would be "picked on" more, 89 percent thought it generally wrong to hit other people, and 91 percent thought it wrong to insult other people. Eighty-four percent knew of students who carried knives or blades from such items as a scalpel or a utility knife to school, and 89 percent were worried about violence at school. Thirty-three percent had been victims of violence, and 60 percent had a family member who had been a victim of violence. Eighty-two percent thought that violent television shows could increase aggressive behavior. Factor analysis of selected responses was carried out, yielding five factors: neighbourhood violence, school violence, perceptions of acceptable behaviors, level of concern about violence, school violence, and general experiences and perceptions of violence. The factors varied with gender, age, grade level, socioeconomic status, and school type. Conclusions. These results will help focus interventions aimed at reducing violence, provide a baseline for later comparisons of perceptions and experiences of violence, and offer a basis for comparing the experiences of young people in urban Jamaica with those of young persons elsewhere (AU)

A survey of HIV-related knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and practices among students on halls or residence on the Mona Campus, University of the West Indies, Jamaica

Students at the Mona Campus of the University of the West Indies are in the most vulnerable age group (20-39 years) for contracting STIs including HIV/AIDS. This study sought to determine the HIV related knowledge, attitudes and practices among students living on halls of residence. Questionnaires were self-administered by approximately 10 percent (146) of the students on the halls of residence over a two week period and informal discussions were held with two small groups of students to gain greater insights into their understanding of the HIV/AIDS situation. The results showed deficiencies in the knowledge, attitudes and behaviours of students. Approximatley 25 percent of students felt that HIV could be transmitted through blood donation and 29.5 percent said there was no link between STIs and contracting HIV. The students' attitude towards homosexuality was negative. The majority of students did not know the window period for HIV infection. Approximately 5 percent of students have had an STI and 15 percent of students who reported being sexually active were not using the condom. There was a significant association between the gender of students and condom use. The study concluded that the students are at risk of contracting and spreading HIV and other STIs. There is need for intense education on HIV/AIDS for students living on the halls and the placing of condom machines on the halls will give students easier access to condoms (AU)

Domestic and School Violence Among High School Students in Jamaica

This study determined the prevalence of domestic and school violence among high school students in Jamaica. A self-report questionnaire was administered to 3,124 students (1,468 boys and 1,657 girls) from 34 randomly selected high schools in 13 of the 14 parishes in Jamaica. There were 1,590 tenth graders (mean age 16 years) and 1,534 eleventh graders (mean age 17 years). One thousand six hundred and seventeen students were from rural and 1,507 from urban communities and 1,642 and 1,482 were children of professionals and nonprofessionals, respectively. The results revealed that 78.5 percent of the students had witnessed violence in their communities, 60.8 percent in their schools, and 44.7 percent in their homes. Twenty-nine percent of the students had caused injury to persons. Several weapons and techniques were used by the students during violent acts and these included the use of hands or feet 59.8 percent, nasty words 59.1 percent, kicks and punches 54.5 percent, blunt objects 26.5 percent, knives 18.4 percent, ice picks 9.3 percent, machetes 8.9 percent, scissors 8.5 percent, forks 7.5 percent, guns 6.9 percent, other weapons (e.g. bottles, dividers) 6.7 percent, acids 5.5 percent, and alkalis 4.9 percent. Significantly higher numbers of boys, 10th graders, and urban students indicated that they used more of the 14 weapons than girls, 11th graders and rural students, respectively. Effective programmes are urgently need to address the high rate of violence recorded in this study among high school youths in Jamaica.(Au)

A survey of sexual behaviours and risk factors for HIV/STD infection among students at the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine campus

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the sexual behaviours of students resident in the dormitories at the St. Augustine campus (SAC), Trinidad, for the 1997-98 academic year. DESIGN AND METHODS: A questionnaire was administered to randomly selected students in each dormitory at the SAC. RESULTS: 180 students were selected randomly from the dormitory population and 169 questionnaires were completed (response rate = 93.9 percent). The median age of respondents was 21 years; males comprised 50.3 percent; 66.9 percent of respondents were sexually active; 31 percent of sexually active students used condoms consistently but 18.6 percent never used condoms. The most frequent reasons for not using condoms were: unavailable at the time (31.2 percent); monogamy (18.2 percent); use of the pill (5. percent). Inconsistent condom usage was not related to socio-economic status, marital status, marital status, level of study, or described religious behaviour. Other risk practices included sexual intercourse under the influence of alcohol (35.4 percent); sexual intercourse under the influence of drugs (12.4 percent) and more than one partner in the last year (38.9 percent). Many respondents admitted to multiple risk behaviour patterns. CONCLUSIONS: A high proportion of students resident in the dormitories at the SAC are sexually active and indulge in high-risk behaviour. Students who engage in several sexual risk practices have not personalized their risk of contracting HIV. Behaviour modification is needed.(Au)

Physical activity in Barbadian secondary school attenders - results from the Adolescent Health and Fitness study (AHFIT)

OBJECTIVE: To study the physical activity habits of adolescent school attenders in Barbados. DESIGN AND METHODS: Four hundred and sixty-two students, randomly selected by school class, attending four schools at different points of the "academic rank ladder", were invited to complete a knowledge, attitudes and practices questionnaire, to be measured, and to have blood drawn. RESULTS: Fifteen percent of these 10-18-year-old students, (males 8 percent, females 20 percent, p<0.001) did not participate in any form of physical activity on a regular basis. The males participated in cycling (54 percent), cricket (52 percent), jogging (50 percent) and football (45 percent), while the females participated in dancing (47 percent) and brisk walking (36 percent). Generally the males were more active than the females. Competing with the physical activity as leisure time activities were more sedentary activities like television viewing, computer and video games, while these adolescents had also experimented with alcohol (60 percent) and cigarettes (9.5 percent). CONCLUSIONS: The role for the health promotion team is clear: to promote increased physical activity in adolescents, to discourage other inappropriate behaviour patterns, and to monitor the influence of adolescent physical activity habits on adult physical activity and ultimately adult disease.(Au)

A comparative study of the knowledge, attitudes, belief and practices on HIV/AIDS among bag and wag students

School attending adolescents continue to form an important target group of preventive and educational programmes that address sexuality and reproductive health. A comparative study was conducted to examine the knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and practices on HIV/AIDS of BAG and WAG students. Information was initially obtained from a sample 490 students and 676 students attending respectively Ardenne High School and Mona High School. Statistically two groups were separated being the BAG and WAG students. Subsequently a self administered questionnaire was used to collect data on various aspects of HIV/AIDS. Overall this study show the significant differences on knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and practices on HIV/AIDS between the BAG and WAG students. This may be an indication that preventive and educational programmes need to be re-oriented in such a way that existing approaches and new approaches deal with the different group existing among adolescents. Further research is needed to understand these groups with their specific characteristics, values, interpretations and needs. Research could also investigate if there are other social-economic, cultural, demographical factors that make them so different eg. the comparison of urban and rural adolescents might be an interesting area for research on these various factors mentioned before. The time has come for educators, community and faith leaders, and public health officials to design and implement comprehensive HIV/AIDS prevention programmes that address the synergy of risks that threaten the health of young people.(Au)

A survey of HIV-related knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and practices among students on halls of residence on the Mona campus, University of the West Indies, Jamaica

Students at the Mona Campus of the University of the West Indies are in the most vulnerable age group (20-39 years) for contractig STIs including HIV/AIDS. This study sought to determine the HIV related knowledge, attitudes and practices among students living on halls of residence. Questionnaires were self-administered by approximately 10 percent (146) of the students on the halls of residence over a two week period and informal discussions were held with two small groups of students to gain greater insights into their understanding of the HIV/AIDS situation. The results showed deficiencies in the knowledge, attitudes and behaviours of students. Approximately 25 percent of students felt that HIV could be transmitted through blood donation and 29.5 percent said there was no link between STIs and contracting HIV. The students' attitude towards homosexuality was negative. The majority of students did not know the window period for HIV infection. Approximately 5 percent of students have had an STI and 15 percent of students who reported being sexually active were not using the condom. There was a significant association between the gender of students and condom use. The study concluded that the students are at risk of contracting and spreading HIV and other STIs. There is need for intense education on HIV/AIDS for students living on the halls and the placing of condom machines on the halls will give students easier access to condoms.(Au)

Student perceptions of a good teacher: the gender perspective

BACKGROUND: A large-scale survey of pupils' perceptions of a good teacher in the Caribbean republic of Trinidad and Tobago is reported. An essay-based, interpretative mode of research was used to elicit and identify constructs used by boys and girls. AIMS: The study explores similarities and differences between boys and girls in their perceptions of a good teacher, in a society where girls achieve superior academic performance (than boys). SAMPLE: A total of 1756 pupils and students aged between 8 and 16 provided the sample, which was proportional, stratified, clustered. Within these constraints classrooms were randomly selected to be representatives of primary and secondary school schools across the two islands. METHOD: Altogether 1539 essays and 217 interviews were content analysed, coded for age development and compared between boys and girls. Content items identified by the pupils were logically grouped into: physical and personal characteristics of the teacher, quality of the relationship between the teacher and pupil, control of behaviour by the teacher, descriptions of the teaching process, and educational and other outcomes obtained by pupils due to teacher efforts. RESULTS: Female pupils identified more good teacher concepts at all age levels than males. There was some commonality concepts at all age levels than males. There was some commonality between the sexes in concepts regarding interpersonal relationships and inclusiveness in the good teachers' teaching practices and boys showed significantly greater concerns regarding teacher control and use of punishment. Males as young as 8 years stated that good teachers should be sensitive to their needs. Only among the 16 year old males and males noted as good teachers. CONCLUSION: Consideration is given to the roles of male and female teachers, how their classroom actions may set the basis for future success (or failure) of their pupils, and the needs of pupils with regard to teacher support within developing and developed countries(AU)

Tuberculosis transmission among five school bus drives and students in two New York countries

OBJECTIVE: Between November 1994 and April 1995, more than 3300 students in 49 schools in two countries in New York were potentially exposed to five school bus drivers with tuberculosis. This investigation was carried out to determine the extent of transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis among students. METHODS: Components of the epidemiologic investigation included tuberculin skin-test screening and collection of demographic information for students exposed to a driver with tuberculosis, chest radiography and medical evaluation of individuals with positive skin tests, and DNA fingerprinting of M tuberculosis isolates. A positive skin test was defined as >/=10 mm induration, and a converter was an individual with an increase in reaction size of >/=10 mm in the past 2 years. RESULTS: The rates of positive skin tests were 0.8 percent, 0.3 percent, 9.9 percent, 1.1 percent and 0.7 percent among US-born student exposed to drivers 1 through 5, respectively. The relative risk for a positive tuberculin skin test was significant only for student expose to driver 3 and the only secondary case identified among students was exposed to driver 3. The DNA fingerprinting patterns of isolates from drivers 3 and 4 matched. CONCLUSION: There was no clear evidence of transmission of M tuberculosis to students from driver 1, 2, 4, or 5. However, evidence suggests the driver 3 transmitted M tuberculosis to students and another driver. Routine annual tuberculin skin-test screening of drivers would not have prevented these tuberculosis exposures(AU)

A survey of the knowledge, attitudes and practices of residential students at the University of the West Indies concerning Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome

To determine the knowledge, attitudes and practices of University Students as it relates to AIDS, a survey using a self-administered questionnaire was conducted at the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus. Ninety students from the halls of residence were interviewed. There were 41 females and 49 males. Their ages ranged from 18-39 years, the mean age being 22.5+ or = 4.7 years. Their knowledge of AIDS was adequate and compared favourably with the national KAP study, on average 84-92 percent of respondents had a correct knowledge of issues concerning methods of transmission and prevention. Forty-nine per cent (35/72) of respondents indicated condom use at their last sex act with most recent partner. When evaluated, 61.2 percent of females demonstrated a change of behaviour (p<0.05) while only 38.8 percent of males fitted into this category. Males were significantly more likely to report condom use (always) during sexual intercourse, p<0.05. Forty-two percent of students (37/89) felt they were at risk of getting HIV infection. These figures suggest that young people have still not accepted that a change in sexual behaviour is mandatory if the AIDS epidemic is to be controlled. It also appears that the females in this age group are willing to effect change, and by extrapolation should be empowered to facilitate this process and even be the initiators of this change.(Au)

Violence against students in halls of residence on the University of the West Indies Mona Campus

OBJECTIVE: This study presents an assessment of the phenomenon and impact of violence against students in Halls of Residence on the Mona Campus. RATIONALE: It is hoped that this study will provide useful information and insights, which would facilitate the development of politics and programmes to prevent, reduce and control violence on the Mona Campus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted over 2 months (March to April 1997). A 27 percent systematic sample of 420 students was selected - 189 (45 percent) males and 231 (55 percent) females from a population of 1563. A self-administered questionnaire was used. A response rate of 334 (80 percent) completed questionnaire was realised. RESULTS: Person-years calculation of violence on campus revealed a high incidence (79.5 percent) in the first year, with rapid decline in subsequent years. A significant difference (X2 = 12.29, d.f.4., p<0.01) was noted between incidence of violence and duration of residence on campus. The majority (52.9 percent) of alleged abusers were not strangers, but other students known to the respondents. Other alleged perpetrators included strangers (19 percent) and acquaintances (16 percent). Male students contributed 82 percent of reported violence against female students and 72 percent were committed against male students. Sexual violence directed towards the female students was three times as great as that towards males (m=15, f=61). Self-reported violence perpetrated by students against other students (38 percent) involved the consumption of alcohol by perpetrators and 3 percent involved the use of marijuana and other substances. Among self-reported characteristics of perpetrators were disagreement (39.3 percent), jealousy (39.2 percent) and anger (31.6 percent). The majority, 200 (59.9 percent), of students responded to violence by communicating the incidents to a friend. Only a minority (4.5 percent) reported the incidents to the police and (2.4 percent) availed themselves of counselling services. Students' responses to penalty for misconduct were significant in sexual abuse (X2=13.65,d.f..6., p<0.01). DISCUSSION: The high incidence of violence in the first year may be a reflection of students' lack of concern (Khan, 1996) in making safety their first priority. The males were the main targets of physical and psychological violence, as well as the main perpetrators of physical and sexual violence.(Au)