Water quality in Trinidad and Tobago: a retrospective study

Waterborne disease is one of the most frequent causes of diarrhoea in developing countries like Trinidad and Tobago. Over a four-year period (January 1994 to November 1997) 5125 water samples were randomly obtained from the counties and municipalities of Trinidad and Tobago by the Public Health Inspectorate. 4737 samples (7.8 percent were rejected) were analysed at the Trinidad and Public Health Laboratory using standard microbiological assays. The annual percentage of unsafe water samples declined steadily from 21 percent in 1994 to 13.5 percent in 1997 with an annual average over the 4-year period of 17.2 percent. Escherichia coli was isolated from 31.6 percent of the unsafe samples and two isolates of Salmonella were detected from stored water, which represents a first report from this medium. The data were transformed into 12 x 3 contingency tables and subjected to a G-test. The results showed that all collection sites were positive (p=0.2) for Escherichia coli. No significant difference in geographical distribution occurred.(AU)

Safe food for our people: fact or myth

Over a six-year period, January 1990 to October 1995, 7,578 samples of cooked food were apparently randomly obtained from the countries and boroughs of Trinidad, and also in Tobago, by Public Health Inspectors. These were then submitted to the Trinidad Public Health Laboratory for analysis. These samples were analyzed using standard microbiological assays. Two thousand six hundred and fifty-two (35 percent) of these samples were deemed microbiologically unsafe as they failed to meet laboratory criteria for cooked foods. The spectrum of pathogens isolated included, predominantly, Klebsiella Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas and Staphylococcus aureus. There were also isolates of Salmonellae, Proteus spp. and Shigella. Data analysis using Geographic Information System Technology showed where all data collected was linked to cartographic maps after being automated. This was then overlaid to show the relation between the areas of high, moderate and low incidence of food contamination leading to food-borne illnesses. Several regions showed a high incidence of food contamination. This technology was seen as a valuable epidemiological and planning tool which aided in determining areas where preventive measures and manpower resources could be deployed to ensure that safe food is served to the nation (AU)

Doubles: national delicacy or national disaster? - abstract

The food called "doubles" is a sandwich made of two seasoned fried wheat flour skins (bara) enclosing curried channa (chick pea) embellished with mango chutney and pepper sauce. It is sold throughout Trinidad and Tobago as a popular snack food. Over the 5-year period, January 1990 to October 1994, 627 doubles samples apparently randomly obtained from the 9 counties of Trinidad and Tobago by Public Health Inspectors were submitted to the Trinidad Public Health Laboratory for analysis. Samples were analyzed, using standard microbiological tests. Criteria used to classify food as unsafe were: (1) a total bacterial count exceeding 1.0 x 10[5] CFU/gram; (2) a total coliform count > 1.0 x 10 [3] CFU/gram; (3) presence of faecal coliform in 1 gram; (4) Staphylococcus aureus in 0.01 gram and (5) Salmonella in 20 grams. Two hundred and fifty (40 percent) of these samples were deemed unsafe as they failed to meet the laboratory criteria for cooked foods. County Caroni had the highest percentage of unsafe samples (64/90 or 71 percent). Klebsiella was the dominant faecal coliform isolated. Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas were also isolated from the doubles samples deemed unsafe. Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from six samples during 1990 and 1991. There were no isolates of Salmonellae or Shigella. From the data analyzed, a definite public health problem is indicated by the high percentages of unsafe doubles in four counties, i.e., Caroni, St. George East, Victoria, and St. Patrick. The need for added stringent measures in relation to hygenic practices by itinerant vendors is clearly indicated (AU)