Ministry of Health and Wellness Annual Report 2020-2021

This publication gives an overview of the Ministry of Health and Wellness for the year 2020-2021. It details vision, mission, strategic goals and objectives, results-based management framework, Executive direction and administration programme, health sector regulation programme. It also gives a special report on COVID-19 management response and financial report for the period

COVID-19 Stressors among Dental Academics at UWI­A Caribbean Perspective

COVID-19 is a pandemic that has a ected health care personnel worldwide. Dentists have a high risk of contracting COVID-19 given the face-to-face contact required in daily interactions with their patients. This study aimed to determine the stressors experienced by academic dentists due to the COVID-19 situation in Trinidad and Jamaica. All academic staff at the University of the West Indies (UWI) dental schools (St. Augustine and Mona campuses) were invited to complete a self-reported questionnaire, which was conducted for one month from May to June 2020. Thirty-two dental academics responded and the response rate was 61.54%. More than a third (34.4%) were in the 25­35 age group, 71.9% were females. The most common speciality (20.7%) was restorative dentistry. Just over one-third (38.7%) had been in academia for 5­10 years. Most (40.6%) were apprehensive about infecting their family. When the locus of control was determined, just over half (53.1%) felt they were in control of protecting themselves while 34.4% felt that external factors controlled their lives. The findings suggest that academic sta at UWI dental schools (Trinidad and Jamaica) were stressed by the COVID-19 situation. The vast majority were worried about infecting their families.

An Assessment of the Risk Factors and Concerns of Postpartum Depression amongst Mothers Seeking Healthcare in North Central Trinidad

• Postpartum depression (PPD) is a debilitating mental disorder which affects 13% of females, usually after giving birth. • Predisposing factors increase the possibility of mothers acquiring PPD, some of which include lack of support, prior PPD, a history of mood changes with menstrual cycles or oral contraceptives, a family history and mental illness. • This illness can have long-term effects on a child causing the behavioural, cognitive and academic development to be impaired. • Currently, there are no screening techniques at the hospitals in Trinidad. Therefore, we have designed this study to assess the risk factors and concerns of PPD and to increase public awareness of PPD.

ET/WOC nursing ­ leadership lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic: an opinion

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has brought uncertainty and opportunity to nurses and healthcare. As part of the nursing profession, enterostomal therapy (ET) / wound, ostomy, continence (WOC) nurses offer specialised care that is critical to the health of persons with wounds, ostomies and continence. ET/WOC nurses' knowledge and practice have positioned these nurses as integral partners in leadership and the delivery of care during these challenging times. The aim of this paper is to highlight five leadership themes for ET/WOC nurses that have evolved during the pandemic, namely interprofessional practice, emotional intelligence, ethical practice, advocacy, and self-care.

Management of symptomatic gallstone disease: Equity between two healthcare delivery systems in Trinidad & Tobago

Objective: Patients with symptomatic gallstones require laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) to remove the gallbladder to avoid complications. LC should be performed with as little delay as possible. We sought to determine whether the health care delivery systems in Trinidad & Tobago were adhering to best practices. Design and Methodology: At a public and a private institution, the general surgical operating theatre registers were reviewed for the period Jan 2016 to Aug 2018 to identify all patients having undergone LC. Hospital records were then retrieved and retrospectively reviewed. The following data were extracted: patient demographics, index diagnosis, date of index diagnosis, interval between index diagnosis and LC, complications between index diagnosis and LC, duration of LC, complications after LC. Results: 98 patients were studied from both centers with a mean age of 44.8 years ± 12.4(SD) and 92.8% were female. The most common indication for cholecystectomy overall was biliary colic (31.6%). For patients with biliary colic, the mean waiting time for LC was 289.3 days ± 521.5 (SD) days at the public institution compared to 9 days ± 6 (SD). Acute cholecystitis accounted for 30% of diagnoses at both centers. The mean waiting times for patients who presented with acute cholecystitis was 392.9 ± 876.2 days (mean ± SD) in the public healthcare system vs 26.1 ±27.3 days (mean ± SD) in the private healthcare system. Conclusions: There is some disparity in management of symptomatic gallstones between the private and public healthcare systems in Trinidad & Tobago. Specifically, a statistically significant difference in waiting times to complete LC exists between the systems.

Highlights of key initiatives 2017-2018

This document highlights the major achievement of the Ministry of Health for the period 2017-2018. Contains information about compassionate care, the strengthening of the health system , treatment of non-communicable, combating communicable diseases, protecting the health of mothers and children and rehabilitation and new investment in critical health infrastructure.

The patient-centeredness of the consultation among patients with chronic disease: a cross-sectional study of the St. Joseph cluster of health centres in Trinidad and Tobago

Background: Several studies demonstrate patient-centered care enhances patient satisfaction, quality of care and health outcomes while decreasing health care costs and discrepancies in health care. The aims were to measure consultation length, patient's perception of patient centeredness (PPPC) and patient enablement instrument score (PEI) and to determine the patient factors associated with them. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted over 2 months at four clinics. collecting data from 180 patients (82% response rate) attending. The interviewers timed the consultation as the patients entered and exited the doctor's room. The post-consultation questionnaire comprised demographics, consultation parameters, the PPPC survey (14 questions scored 1-4) and the PEI survey (6 questions scored 0-2). Results: The response rate was 82.5% with a sample of 180 patients. The average, median and mode of quality measures: PPPC average (3.67, 3.86 and 4), PEI score (5.93, 6 and 6) and consultation length (8.5, 7.74 and 10). The PPPC Average was higher in patients without stroke (p=0.022), those with more than 2 consultation interruptions (p=0.015) and those who knew the doctor very well (p=0.015). The PEI score was higher in patients without heart disease (p=0.022). The consultation length was longer in those with tertiary education (p=0.044) and those with two consultation interruptions (p=0.032). PPPC Average and PEI Score correlated well (p=0.408, p<0.001). The consultation length correlated with the PPPC Average (p=0.168, p=0.025). Conclusion: The PPPC Average, PEI Score and consultation length were above average compared internationally. The implementation of a 15-minute appointment system and training programmes for staff in patient-centeredness may improve care for patients. Future study should determine cut-off values for the surveys to assess standard of care.

Vitals: A quarterly report of the Ministry of Health, Jamaica 2018

This document looks at health trends and statistics in Jamaica. This issue focuses on data collected in the September 2016 to August 2017 quarter along with annual comparisons. Data, utilization of the health sector complaints for the period January to December 2017

Ongoing surveillance of Zika sequelae

This document outlines the typical symptoms of the Zika virus as well as some of the surveillance strategies being adopted by the Epidemiology Department of the Bureau of Public Health (BOG) at the Ministry of Health, Suriname at both primary and secondary levels of the health care system

National vector control program 2018-2019 operational plan

Operational plan of Belize's 2018-2019 National Vector Control Program. This shows the strategies used for improved health services and their outcomes in reducing vector borne diseases (Malaria, Dengue, Zika and Chikungunya).

Patient related factors associated with glycaemic control in type II diabetic patients within the North Central Regional Health Authority, Trinidad

Background and Objectives: Preventative healthcare practices continues to be the basis for prevention of diabetes related complications. Established guidelines are likely to decrease the incidence of diabetes complications, however, patient related factors either perceived or real, prevent the utilization of medical services resulting in poorer health outcomes. The aim of this study was to identify the patient related factors leading to elevated HbA1c levels in type 2 diabetic patients at the health centres within the Northcentral Regional Health Authority, Trinidad and to determine the association between patient related factors and optimal glycaemic control as measured by HbA1c levels. Subjects and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study using convenience sampling of participants who were type II diabetics, over the age of 18 years, attending the chronic disease clinic for their usual appointment within selected health centres of the Northcentral Regional Health Authority during the period January 2018 to March 2018. After receiving ethical approvals and informed consent, a de novo, pretested self-administered and researcher-assisted survey was administered. Patients' barriers were determined by using the Independent Samples T test and Analysis of Variance in 2 groups of patients. Results: 254 subjects participated in this study with a response was 87.6% There were 7 patient related factors associated with glycaemic control identified based on the analysis of 200 patients with recorded HbA1c in this survey. The mean HbA1c was 8.360 with SD 2.062. Age (55-64years age group), use of insulin, emotional problems and anxiety were associated with higher mean HbA1c. Use of oral hypoglycaemic agents, personal responsibility for diabetes care and being retired were also associated with lower mean HbA1c. Conclusion: This study identified several patient related predictors of glycaemic control based on the mean HbA1c in the public health system in parts of North and Central Trinidad. Implementation of relevant interventional programs are needed to remove these factors and improve patient outcomes.

Vitals: A quarterly report of the Ministry of Health, Jamaica 2017

This quarterly report integrates a special feature on surgeries in public hospitals and presents comparative data for January to March 2016 and 2017. It also looks at utilization data for health facilities and health centres, notifiable diseases and health sector complaints for the period.

Head 23: Ministry of Health: Programme budget for the year 2016-2017

This is an extract of the Barbados Ministry of Health Programme Budget for the Year 2016-2017. It consists of selected items from the Executive Summary that relate to funding, ceiling allocation and explanations for exceeding the ceiling. As well, aspects of one of the Ministry's sub-programmes viz. the Vector Control Programme, are described.

Vector control programme

This is an extract from the Barbados Ministry of Health Programme Budget for 2016-2017. It describes selected aspects of the "Vector Control Programme" which is managed by the Ministry's Vector Control Unit. Selected details viz.: programme background; overall goal; objectives; review of vector control activities for the previous year; constraints; plans for the stated budget period; as well as indicators are presented.

Ministry of Health Annual report 2016-2017: Highlights of key initiatives

This document highlights the major achievement of the Ministry of Health for the period 2016-2017. Contains information about compassionate care, the strengthening of the health system , treatment of non-communicable diseases, combating communicable diseases, protecting the health of mothers and children, rehabilitation and new investment in critical health infrastructure.

Policy planning and project management newsletter

Publishing of this online newsletter is supported by the Policy Analysis and Planning Unit of the Ministry of Health, Belmopan, Belize. In this issue, "Special points of interest" are listed as, Salud Mesoamerica Initiative and Zika. Its next issue is October 3, 2016.

Environmental management and personal protection for the protection of Zika

This document prepared by Kim Bautista vector control Chief of Operations is a close physical comparison of the two Aedes vectors capable of transmitting Zika, Dengue and Chikungunya (the Aedes aegypti and the Aedes albopictus mosquito). It compares the habitat, flight range, biting habits, and environmental conditions under which these vectors thrive. The document also deals with several aspects of environmental control and personal protection at various levels, such as mosquito nets, clothing, insect repellent and condoms to protect against sexual transmission of the virus and also to prevent pregnancy during an outbreak of Zika, which can lead to birth defects when the virus is passed on to unborn babies.

Ministry of Health Jamaica Annual Report 2011-2012

The document details the strategic objectives of the Ministry and includes financial statements, estimates of expenditure for the period under review. It features a special report on the National Health Information System.

Ministry of Health Jamaica Annual Report 2012/2013

The document details the strategic objectives of the Ministry and includes financial statements , estimates of expenditure for the period 2012 - 2013. It features a special report on the National HIV Programme (NHP) Integrated into National Family Planning Board (NFPB) - Sexual Reproductive Health Authority. It also includes achievements of selected programme areas of the Ministry for the period.

Ministry of Health Jamaica Annual Report 2013-2014

The document details the strategic objectives of the Ministry and includes financial statements , estimates of expenditure for the period 2013 - 2014. It features a special report on the Public Health (Tobacco Control) Regulations. It also includes achievements in various programme areas for the period.