Belize Covid-19 report for November 1-7, 2022, having 15 new cases, confirming 68,972 cumulative positive cases since the first case in March 2020 with two (2) descriptive infographics / Belize Covid-19 Report

Two (2) new infographic report updates on Covid-19 consisting of PCR and rapid tests done in Belize for November 1-7, 2022 depicting the heat map by districts, cumulative and daily statistics, hospitalizations, new positive cases and vaccination rate.

Belize Covid-19 report for November 8-14, 2022, having 16 new cases, confirming 68,988 cumulative positive cases since the first case in March 2020 with two (2) descriptive infographics / Belize Covid-19 Report

Two (2) new infographic report update on Covid-19 consisting of PCR and rapid tests done in Belize for November 8-14, 2022 depicting the heat map by districts, cumulative and daily statistics, hospitalizations, new positive cases and vaccination rate.

Belize Covid-19 report for November 15-22, 2022, having 24 new cases, confirming 69,012 cumulative positive cases since the first case in March 2020 with two (2) descriptive infographics / Belize Covid-19 Report

Two (2) new infographic report updates on Covid-19 consisting of PCR and rapid tests done in Belize for November 15-22, 2022 depicting the heat map by districts, cumulative and daily statistics, hospitalizations, new positive cases and vaccination rate.

Belize Covid-19 report for October 25-31, 2022, having 14 new cases, confirming 68,957 cumulative positive cases since the first case in March 2020 with two (2) descriptive infographics / Belize Covid-19 Report

Two (2) new infographic report updates on Covid-19 consisting of PCR and rapid tests done in Belize for October 25-31, 2022 depicting the heat map by districts, cumulative and daily statistics, hospitalizations, new positive cases and vaccination rate.

Belize Covid-19 report for October 1-4, 2022, having 30 new cases, confirming 68,884 cumulative positive cases since the first case in March 2020 with two (2) descriptive infographics / Belize Covid-19 Report

Two (2) new infographic report updates on Covid-19 consisting of PCR and rapid tests done in Belize for October 1-4, 2022 depicting the heat map by districts, cumulative and daily statistics, hospitalizations, new positive cases and vaccination rate.

Belize Covid-19 report for October 5-11, 2022, having 25 new cases, confirming 68,909 cumulative positive cases since the first case in March 2020 with two (2) descriptive infographics / Belize Covid-19 Report

Two (2) new infographic report updates on Covid-19 consisting of PCR and rapid tests done in Belize for October 5-11, 2022 depicting the heat map by districts, cumulative and daily statistics, hospitalizations, new positive cases and vaccination rate.

Belize Covid-19 report for October 12-17, 2022, having 24 active cases [17 new], confirming 68,926 cumulative positive cases since the first case in March 2020 with two (2) descriptive infographics / Belize Covid-19 Report

Two (2) new infographic report updates on Covid-19 consisting of PCR and rapid tests done in Belize for October 12-17, 2022 depicting the heat map by districts, cumulative and daily statistics, hospitalizations, new positive cases and vaccination rate.

Belize Covid-19 report for October 18-24, 2022, having 17 new cases, confirming 68,943 cumulative positive cases since the first case in March 2020 with two (2) descriptive infographics / Belize Covid-19 report for October 18-24, 2022

Two (2) new infographic daily report updates on Covid-19 consisting of PCR and rapid tests done in Belize for October 18-24, 2022 depicting the heat map by districts, cumulative and daily statistics, hospitalizations, new positive cases and vaccination rate.

Belize Covid-19 report for September 24-27, 2022, having 42 new cases, confirming 68,826 cumulative positive cases since the first case in March 2020 with two (2) descriptive infographics / Belize Covid-19 Report

Two (2) new infographic report updates on Covid-19 consisting of PCR and rapid tests done in Belize for September 24-27, 2022 depicting the heat map by districts, cumulative and daily statistics, hospitalizations, new positive cases and vaccination rate.

Belize Covid-19 report for September 28-30, 2022, having 28 new cases, confirming 68,854 cumulative positive cases since the first case in March 2020 with two (2) descriptive infographics / Belize Covid-19 Report

Two (2) new infographic report updates on Covid-19 consisting of PCR and rapid tests done in Belize for September 28-30, 2022 depicting the heat map by districts, cumulative and daily statistics, hospitalizations, new positive cases and vaccination rate.

Attitude and perception of spectacle wearers towards contact lens wear

Aim: To investigate the attitude and perception of spectacle wearers towards contact lens wear. Method: A cross-sectional questionnaire was distributed from the waiting rooms of licensed Optometry Offices to spectacle-wearing participants over 18 years of age with no history of contact lens wear and those who previously wore contact lenses. The data collected on the barriers, attitude, awareness, and willingness of the spectacle wearers towards contact lens wear was statistically analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences Computer Software with the significance level set to a p-value of 5%. Results: Of the 119 participants, the majority were females (63.0%), had secondary education (47.1%), were of East Indian descent (59.7%) and were over 50 years (29.4%). Only 40 spectacle wearers indicated a history of previously wearing contact lenses. The main barriers for non-CL wearers were reportedly comfort of spectacles (40.5%), the perception that contact lenses are uncomfortable (38.0%) and difficult to use (36.7%) whereas for previous CL wearers it was mainly discomfort (57.5%). The main source of information were from eye-care practitioners (58.0%) and was only significantly associated with age (P=0.023). There was a greater willingness to retry contact lenses among previous CL wearers (62.5%) than non-CL wearers (41.8%). Conclusion: There was a positive attitude and perception among previous contact lens wearers than those who have never worn contact lenses. There is a need for increased health education by eye-care practitioners and other delivery methods to remove misconceptions and perpetuate the awareness of contact lenses and their benefits to allow for an increase in contact lens usage (AU)

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices of Dentists in Caribbean Countries during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has affected dentists globally, both financially and mentally. This study aimed to determine the knowledge, attitude, and practices of dentists in Caribbean countries during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A non-probability sample was obtained from dentists in more than ten different Caribbean countries. They were invited to complete a self-reported questionnaire, which was conducted from December 2020 to March 2021. Ethics approval was sought and an exemption was received from the UWI ethics committee. Results: One hundred and fifty-two dentists responded. More than one-third (38.8%) were in the >35­45 age group, and 58.6% were females. Most (84.9%) were general dentists and 75% were stressed by the COVID-19 situation with 80.9% being affected financially. The majority, 94.7%, believed that the highest risk of transmission of COVID-19 was via aerosol-generating procedures and 87.5% were worried about contracting it clinically. The majority (69.1%) were willing to receive the vaccine, the main reason reported for vaccine hesitancy was due to the possible side effects (35.3%). Most (75%) consumed alcohol. When the locus of control was determined, 54.6% felt they were in control of protecting themselves while 52% felt that external factors controlled their lives. Conclusions: The findings suggest that most dentists in the Caribbean were knowledgeable about COVID-19 and followed current guidelines in their practice and were willing to receive the vaccine.

Prevalence of Risk Factors and Lifestyle Choices Associated with Increased Cancer in Participants in Trinidad and Tobago

In the Caribbean, cancer has been identified as the second leading cause of death and has created an immense challenge for healthcare services and expenses throughout the region. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cancer incidence will increase by 58%, from 2015 to 2035, and cancer mortality throughout this period will increase by 67%. This research project outlined the socio-demographic risk factors and lifestyle choices known to increase the risk of developing various forms of cancer that are present in the population of Trinidad & Tobago. Knowledge of these risk factors will allow members of the public to evaluate their lifestyles. Subsequently, they can determine if they are putting themselves at risk for certain malignancies, since different types of cancers have specific socio- demographic factors and lifestyle choices associated with them.

A Comparison Between Online and Traditional Methods of Curriculum Delivery in the COVID-19 Era to Dental and Medical Students of the Faculty of Medical Sciences, St Augustine Campus, UWI

▪ With the inability to conduct classes in the traditional classroom setting due to the Covid-19 pandemic, students have been forced to adapt to an online curriculum delivery. ▪ There is limited data about the impact of e-learning on students enlisted in medical programmes within the Caribbean. ▪ Recent research has found that many students' mental health were affected, and it is crucial for this data to gathered and understood to take steps in combating mental health challenges.

A web-based cross-sectional survey on computer-related visual and ocular symptoms and perceived stress, amid the COVID-19 transitional online learning among students in the Faculty of Medical Sciences: A Caribbean perspective

The current COVID-19 pandemic has impacted various sectors of human life, in unprecedented ways. Inevitably, many educational institutions transitioned to online learning due to worldwide 'lockdowns'. Digital technology is significant. However, studies have been reported that it has short- and long-term negative effects on people's biopsychosocial wellbeing; particularly, mental and visual issues. The current study focused on the effects of the transitional online learning mode on the ocular and mental health of students.

Core competencies and challenges among nurses transitioning into positions of leadership ­ a Caribbean perspective

Purpose ­ Nurses are a significant part of the professional workforce, but leaders may be promoted without the requisite competencies. This study aims to explore the perspectives of nurse managers about the core competencies necessary for promotion as leaders in health. Design/methodology/approach ­ This was a mixed-methods study that targeted nurses (N= 126) who were promoted in four Caribbean countries over the past five years. A 30-item questionnaire was used for quantitative data collection and analyzed using SPSS version 25. Interviews yielded the qualitative data, which were analyzed using open coding and thematic analysis. Ethical approvals were received from ethics committees at the university and country level. Findings ­ Most participants were female (n= 112), had 15 or more years' experience (n= 71) and an associate degree/diploma in nursing (n= 62). Leadership was the most important competency required of nurse leaders in spite of their position within the organization, followed by team building and motivation. Challenges to the transitioning into leadership positions included the prevailing culture and a lack of a systematic approach to building capacity in leadership. There was also between-group statistical significance, as determined by oneway ANOVA for delegation, motivation and leadership as core competencies based on occupations roles.

Belize Covid-19 daily report for April 7, 2021 confirming 12,485 cumulative positive cases since the first case in March 2020 with three (3) descriptive infographics

Three (3) infographic daily report updates on Covid-19 and SARSCoV 2 lab screenings done in Belize for April 7, 2021 depicting the heat map by districts, total persons tested, negative persons, new positive cases, cumulative reports, those under investigation and overall percentages

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.

Perceptions of "Male Sensitive" Health Services Among Men in Trinidad and Tobago

Introduction: While Caribbean researchers have explored masculinity, socialization, and behavior, the literature has been silent on masculinity and "male sensitive" health services. This study explored masculinity and perceptions of "male sensitive" health services. Method: An interpretative, phenomenological, qualitative design that used 14 focus groups and 12 semistructured interviews among men between the ages 18 and 65 years. Results: The notion of "male sensitive" services were more of preferences like having more females, timeliness, and privacy of services rather than a specific set of services unique to men. Services were expected to be professional, offered in private spaces, timely, and as an "all in one" service with more male service providers. Discussion: Male utilization of health services may be a problem if they are not considered "sensitive" to their needs. This has implications for the reorientation of services, as well as, personnel, including increased involvement of males as health care providers.

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.