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 3124 students (1467 boys and 1657 girls) from 34 randomly selected high schools in 13 of the 14 parishes in Jamaica. There were 1590 tenth graders (mean age 16 years) and 1534 eleventh graders (mean age 17 years). One thousand six hundred and seventeen students were from rural and 1507 from urban communities and 1642 and 1482 were children/wards of professionals and nonprofessionals, respectively. The results revealed that 78.5% of the students had witnessed violence in their communities, 60.8% in their schools, and 44.7% in their homes. Twenty-nine per cent 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%, nasty words 59.1%, kicks and punches 54.5%, blunt objects 26.5%, knives 18.4%, ice picks 9.3%, machetes 8.9%, scissors 8.5%, forks 7.5%, guns 6.9%, other weapons (e.g. bottles, dividers) 6.7%, acids 5.5%, and alkalis 4.9%. 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 needed to address the high rate of violence recorded in this study among high school youths in Jamaica.

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)

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.

Use of illicit drugs among high-school students in Jamaica.

Reported are the results of a survey to assess the prevalence of illicit drug use among high-school students in Jamaica. A total of 2417 high-school students in 26 schools were covered: 1063 boys and 1354 girls of whom 1317 were grade-10 students (mean age 15.7 years) and 1100 were grade-11 students (mean age 16.8 years). Of the students, 1072 and 1345 were from rural and urban schools, respectively, while 1126 and 1291 were children of parents who were professionals and nonprofessionals, respectively. The following drugs were used by the students: marijuana (10.2%), cocaine (2.2%), heroin (1.5%) and opium (1.2%). Illicit drug use among males, urban students and children of professionals was higher than that among females, rural students and children of nonprofessionals, respectively.

Use of illicit drugs among high-school students in Jamaica

Reported are the results of a survey to assess the prevalence of illicit drug use among high school students in Jamaica. A total of 2417 high-school students in 26 schools were covered: 1063 boys and 1354 girls of whom 1317 were grade-10 students (mean age 15.7 years) and 1100 were grade-11 students (mean age 16.8 years). Of the students, 1072 and 1354 were from rural and urban schools, respectively, while 1126 and 1291 were children of parents who were professionals and nonprofessionals, respectively. The following drugs were used by the students: marijuana (10.2 percent), cocaine (2.2 percent), heroin (1.5 percent) and opium (1.2 percent). Illicit drug use among males, urban students and children of professionals was higher than that among females, rural students and children of nonprofessionals, respectively.(Au)

Use of alcohol, tobacco and non prescription drugs among Jamaican high school students

The prevalence of alcohol, tobacco and non-prescription drugs was investigated among 2417 Jamaican high school students (1063 boys, 1354 girls). 1317 were grade 10 (form four or 16 years old) and 1100 were grade 11 (form five or 17 years old): 1072 and 1345 were from rural and urban schools, respectively; and 1126 and 1291 were children of professionals and non-professionals, respectively. The prevalence of alcohol and tobacoo use was 50.2 percent and 16.6 percent, respectively; and there was a high level of non-prescription drug use: paracetamol (85.7 percent), aspirin (76.7 percent), multivitmains (41.9 percent) and bismuth (29.9 percent). Drugs use among males, urban students, and children of professionals was higher than among females, rural students and children of non-professionals.(AU)

Use of alcohol, tobacco and non-prescription drugs among Jamaican high school students

The prevalence of alcohol, tobacco and non-prescription drug use was investigated among 2,417 Jamaican high school students (1,063 boys, 1,354 girls). 1,317 were grade 10 (form four or 16 years old) and 1,100 were grade 11 (form five or 17 years old); 1,072 and 1,345 were from rural and urban schools, respectively; and 1,126 and 1,291 were children of professionals and non-professionals, respectively. The prevalence of alcohol and tobacco use was 50.2and 16.6, respectively; and there was a high level of non-prescription drug use: paracetamol (85.7), aspirin (76.7), multivitamins (41.9) and bismuth (29.9). Drug use among males, urban students, and children of professionals was higher than among females, rural students and children of non-professionals.

Use of alcohol, tobacco and non-prescription drugs among Jamaican high school students.

The prevalence of alcohol, tobacco and non-prescription drug use was investigated among 2,417 Jamaican high school students (1,063 boys, 1,354 girls). 1,317 were grade 10 (form four or 16 years old) and 1,100 were grade 11 (form five or 17 years old); 1,072 and 1,345 were from rural and urban schools, respectively; and 1,126 and 1,291 were children of professionals and non-professionals, respectively. The prevalence of alcohol and tobacco use was 50.2% and 16.6%, respectively; and there was a high level of non-prescription drug use: paracetamol (85.7%), aspirin (76.7%), multivitamins (41.9%) and bismuth (29.9%). Drug use among males, urban students, and children of professionals was higher than among females, rural students and children of non-professionals.

Peptic ulcer disease and Jamaican patients' awareness of their disorder.

In the management and prevention of recurrence of peptic ulcer disease, patients' awareness of their disorder is essential. Fifty-one patients with peptic ulcer disease were studied regarding their awareness of their disorder and compliance with medications. There were 30 women and 21 men with a mean age of 45 years. Thirty-five per cent had secondary school education; 22% had tertiary training and 10% had no formal education. Sixty-three per cent of patients knew their ulcer location but 37% were unaware of their diagnosis. Twenty-nine per cent received most of their information from their pharmacists. Twenty per cent of patients smoked cigarettes; 31% drank alcohol, and 14% took non-steroidal analgesics. Seventy-six per cent thought that poor eating habits were a contributory cause of their ulcer; 39% thought that stress was a cause and 16% implicated heredity. Seventy-six per cent of patients took their medications daily, and 24% only when symptomatic. Jamaican patients' awareness of their ulcer disease is inadequate. There is a need for more physician education of their patients as well as public health promotion about peptic ulcer disease.

Peptic ulcer disease and Jamaican patients' awareness of their disorders

In the management and prevention of recurrence of peptic ulcer disease, patients' awareness of their disorder is essential. Fifty-one patients with peptic ulcer disease were studied regarding their awareness of their disorder and compliance with medications. There were 30 women and 21 men with a mean age of 45 years. Thirty-five per cent had secondary school education; 22 per cent had tertiary training and 10 per cent had no formal education. Sixty-three per cent of patients knew their ulcer location but 37 per cent were unaware of their diagnosis. Twenty-nine per cent received most of their information from their pharmacists. Twenty per cent of patients smoked cigarettes; 31 per cent drank alcohol, and 14 per cent took non-steroidal analgesics. Seventy-six per cent thought that poor eating habits were a contributory cause of their ulcer, 39 per cent thought that stress was a cause and 16 per cent implicated heredity. Seventy-six per cent of patients took their medications daily, and 24 per cent only when symptomatic. Jamaican patients' awareness of their ulcer disease is inadequate. There is a need for more physician education of their patients as well as public health promotion about peptic ulcer disease. (AU)

Peptic ulcer disease and Jamaican patients' awareness of their disorders

In the management and prevention of recurrence of peptic ulcer disease, patients' awareness of their disorder is essential. Fifty-one patients with peptic ulcer disease were studied regarding their awareness of their disorder and compliance with medications. There were 30 women and 21 men with a mean age of 45 years. Thirty-five per cent had secondary school education; 22 per cent had tertiary training and 10 per cent had no formal education. Sixty-three per cent of patients knew their ulcer location but 37 per cent were unaware of their diagnosis. Twenty-nine per cent received most of their information from their pharmacists. Twenty per cent of patients smoked cigarettes; 31 per cent drank alcohol, and 14 per cent took non-steroidal analgesics. Seventy-six per cent thought that poor eating habits were a contributory cause of their ulcer, 39 per cent thought that stress was a cause and 16 per cent implicated heredity. Seventy-six per cent of patients took their medications daily, and 24 per cent only when symptomatic. Jamaican patients' awareness of their ulcer disease is inadequate. There is a need for more physician education of their patients as well as public health promotion about peptic ulcer disease.