Developing a partnership to improve health care delivery to children <18 years with cancer and blood disorders in the English-speaking Caribbean: lessons from the SickKids-Caribbean Initiative (SCI).

In 2013, the SickKids-Caribbean Initiative (SCI) was formalised among The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Canada, the University of the West Indies, and Ministries of Health in six Caribbean countries (Barbados, The Bahamas, Jamaica, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago). The aim was to improve the outcomes and quality of life of children (<18 years) with cancer and blood disorders in the partner countries. Core activities included filling a human resource gap by training paediatric haematologists/oncologists and specialised registered nurses; improving capacity to diagnose and treat diverse haematology/oncology cases; developing and maintaining paediatric oncology databases; creating ongoing advocacy activities with international agencies, decision makers, and civil society; and establishing an integrated administration, management, and funding structure. We describe core program components, successes, and challenges to inform others seeking to improve health service delivery in a multidisciplinary and complex partnership.

Sexual Abuse and Sexually-Transmitted HIV/AIDS in Jamaican Children and Adolescents Aged 6-19 Years.

INTRODUCTION: Risk factors and outcomes of sexually-acquired human immunodeficiency virus infection were characterized in Jamaican children and adolescents. METHODOLOGY: Management was carried out by multidisciplinary teams in Infectious Diseases clinics during August 2003 through February 2019 using modified World Health Organization HIV criteria. RESULTS: There were 78 clients, aged 6 to 19 years, with females:males = 4:1 (p < 0.05). Sexual-initiation occurred in 60%, 47 before < 16 years (median 13 years, with four < 10 years; females:males = 7:1). Sexual-initiation preceded HIV diagnosis in all cases (median 2 years). Secondary education 93% (69/77) and living with non-parental relatives 17% (13/78) were associated with early sexual-initiation (p < 0.042); as was later imprisonment in 6% (3/52). Other sexually transmitted infections 36% (19/53) were associated with sexual-initiation ≥ 16 years (p < 0.01). Risks for ongoing HIV-transmission included infrequent condom use 74% (39/53), body-piercings 50% (24/48), illicit drug use 37% (28/76), tattoos 36% (19/52), transactional sex 14% (7/53) and pregnancy 56% of girls. 77% (59/77) had Centres for Diseases Control's Category A HIV infection; 82% (61/75) initiated anti-retroviral therapy; 75% (56/75) had first-line drugs, with helper T lymphocyte counts ≥ 500 cells/µL in 61% (48/78) and HIV viral load of < 1,000 copies/µL in 63% (40/64). Complications included dermatological 39% (20/52), respiratory 25% (13/52) and neurological 15% (8/52). Early sexual initiation was associated with depression 43% (33/76; p < 0.004) and suicidal attempt or ideation 23% (18/77; p < 0.096). Four (5%) died. CONCLUSIONS: Sexually transmitted HIV/AIDS in children and adolescents should preempt prompt medical, legal and psychosocial interventions.