Texture and acceptability of goat meat frankfurters processed with 3 different sources of fat.

The objective of this research was to evaluate the texture and consumer acceptability of goat meat frankfurter formulations with no added fat (NAF), beef fat (BF), or canola oil (CO). Consumer sensory evaluation, fat, and moisture and texture profile analyses were performed on goat meat frankfurters produced with the fat sources BF, CO, and NAF. For sensory evaluations, NAF was less tender (P = 0.007; 4.90 vs. 4.11 and 4.35 for BF and CO, respectively) and the flavor was liked less (P = 0.004; 4.59 vs. 3.83 and 4.30 for BF and CO, respectively); BF was scored as the juiciest (P = 0.003; 3.86 vs. 4.49 and 4.58 for CO and NAF, respectively); and CO had the least amount of flavor (P = 0.029; 3.65 vs. 3.12 and 3.10 for BF and NAF, respectively). Moisture was least (P < 0.001) in CO (46.59%), followed by BF (48.57%) and NAF (55.80%). The amount of fat was not different (P = 0.761) in BF (24.36%) or CO (24.43%) but was less (P < 0.001) in NAF (9.06%), as expected. The NAF had the most protein (P < 0.001; 34.14%), followed by CO (27.98%) and BF (26.07%). For texture profile analyses, NAF had the least hardness value (P = 0.008; 3.92 vs. 4.48 and 4.40 for BF and CO, respectively) and least chewiness value (P = 0.026; 2.89 vs. 3.39 and 3.29 for BF and CO, respectively). Beef fat and CO were not different for hardness (P = 0.596) or chewiness (P = 0.530). No differences were observed in springiness (P = 0.954) or resilience (P = 0.561). The sensory panelists tended to prefer BF for overall acceptability. Results from these data revealed that value-added goat meat products received acceptable sensory scores; therefore, continued research and development will greatly expand the knowledge of goat meat and increase the acceptance of value-added products.

Patterns of trauma injuries in rural versus urban Jamaica

Trauma admissions to St Ann's Bay Hospital in rural Jamaica and The University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) in the capital city of Kingston are compared. Trauma accounted for 19 and 22 of surgical admissions to UHWI and the St Ann's Bay Hospital, respectively. Sixty-three per cent of trauma cases admitted to the St Ann's Bay Hospital and 56 to the UHWI were due to unintentional injuries (95 CI, -0.05, 0.19). The main cause of unintentional injuries at both hospitals was motor vehicle accidents, accounting for 43 and 37 at UHWI and St Ann's Bay Hospital respectively (95 CI, -0.04, 0.17). The prevalence of falls was significantly higher in St Ann's Bay Hospital compared with UHWI, 41 and 26 respectively (95 CI, 0.10, 0.21). Intentional injuries accounted for 37 of cases in St Ann's Bay Hospital and 44 at UHWI (95 CI, -0.20, 0.04). The prevalence of firearm injuries was significantly higher at the UHWI than in St Ann's Bay Hospital, 55 and 18 respectively (95 CI, -0.15, -0.05). There was no significant difference in age and injury severity scores in the two hospitals but patients remained in hospital significantly longer at UHWI.

Patterns of trauma injuries in rural versus urban Jamaica.

Trauma admissions to St Ann's Bay Hospital in rural Jamaica and The University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) in the capital city of Kingston are compared. Trauma accounted for 19% and 22% of surgical admissions to UHWI and the St Ann's Bay Hospital, respectively. Sixty-three per cent of trauma cases admitted to the St Ann's Bay Hospital and 56% to the UHWI were due to unintentional injuries (95% CI, -0.05, 0.19). The main cause of unintentional injuries at both hospitals was motor vehicle accidents, accounting for 43% and 37% at UHWI and St Ann's Bay Hospital respectively (95% CI, -0.04, 0.17). The prevalence of falls was significantly higher in St Ann's Bay Hospital compared with UHWI, 41% and 26% respectively (95% CI, 0.10, 0.21). Intentional injuries accounted for 37% of cases in St Ann's Bay Hospital and 44% at UHWI (95% CI, -0.20, 0.04). The prevalence of firearm injuries was significantly higher at the UHWI than in St Ann's Bay Hospital, 55% and 18% respectively (95% CI, -0.15, -0.05). There was no significant difference in age and injury severity scores in the two hospitals but patients remained in hospital significantly longer at UHWI.

Morbidity pattern of emergency room patients in Jamaica

OBJECTIVE: This study documents the morbidity pattern of diseases in patients presenting to the Accident and Emergency (A&E) Unit at the University Hospital of the West Indies in Jamaica. DESIGN and METHODS: Data were retrieved from a log book kept by the nursing staff in the A&E Unit at the UHWI. This SPSS software package was used to select 100 random days in 1997. All cases treated in the A&E Unit on those days were included in the study. Data collected included demographic data, discharge diagnosis and disposal. Diagnosis were coded and classified using the International Classification of Diseases - 9th edition coding system. RESULTS: In 1997, 16,798 patients were treated in the A&E Unit during the 100 random days selected, 4611 of these were seen. Twelve cases were excluded, as the diagnoses were unknown. Some patient had more than one diagnosis and therefore, 4762 diagnoses were made in 4599 patients. The mean age was 34ñ 24 (SD) years. The male to female ratio was 1.8:1. Injuries and poisoning accounted for 31 per cent of cases. Respiratory diseases were the next most prevalent (16.2 percent). Cardiovascular and digestive diseases accounted for 5.8 and 10.5 per cent of cases, respectively. Infectious diseases accounted for only 1.75 per cent of cases; 71.7 per cent of patients were discharged home, 23.5 per cent admitted and 4.2 per cent transferred to another institution. The mortality rate was 0.6 per cent. CONCLUSIONS: The pattern of diseases seen in this study demonstrates epidemiologic transition where injuries, cardiovascular and other chronic diseases are evolving as the most prevalent conditions seen. This is now seen frequently in the Caribbean and other developing countries. (Au)