Citation

Figueroa JP, Fox K, Minor K. West Indian Med. J. 1999; 48(1): 9-15.

Affiliation

Ministry of Health, Kingston, Jamaica.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1999, University of The West Indies)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

10375984

Abstract

A population-based probability sample of 958 people (454 men and 504 women) aged 15-49 in Jamaica was surveyed during 1993 to monitor health-related behaviors and risk factors. A pre-tested, pre-coded questionnaire was administered by experienced public health workers to obtain information about sociodemographic characteristics, self-reported prevalence of the main chronic disease, and risk behavior associated with the diseases and quality of life. Results revealed that 60% of the studied population visited a private physician the last time they were ill. Based on the prevalence rates of hypertension and diabetes, 18% of the women and 8% of the men were hypertensive, while 4.8% of the women and 3.3% of the men were diabetic. Furthermore, 26% of the men and 8% of the women had never had their blood pressure taken. About 40% of the women had never had a Papanicolaou smear, and 29% had never had a breast examination. The men were much more likely than the women to smoke cigarettes or marijuana or drink alcohol. Of particular concern was that 30% of the men and 9% of the women had drunk an excessive amount of alcohol on at least one occasion. Injuries and violence were common, and many persons carried a weapon. This survey also found that the men had multiple sexual partners and that condom use was highest among the young adults. Higher socioeconomic status and educational status generally had a positive effect on health behavior.

Language: en