W Indian Med J
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Significant liver fibrosis is recognized as the key link of therapy and prognosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B infection (CHB). The present study is designed to estimate the benefits of FibroScan (FS) in diagnosing significant fibrosis in patients with CHB. ⋯ FibroScan can predict the presence of significant liver fibrosis, so as to avoid liver biopsy. It seems that the combination of FS and APRI does not significantly improve the ability to predict significant fibrosis.
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To determine the association between health insurance/health benefit and medication adherence amongst adult diabetic patients in Kingston, Jamaica. ⋯ AIn Kingston, diabetic patients who are adherent are more likely to have health insurance/health benefit (p = 0.01).
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To determine the relationship of determinants such as age, ethnicity, education and sexual behaviour with repeat teenage pregnancy and to determine the impact of 'Providing Access to Continued Education' (PACE) programme in reducing repeat teenage pregnancy amongst its participants in The Bahamas. ⋯ Age, ethnicity, education and sexual behaviour showed no association with repeat pregnancy. The PACE programme did not reduce repeat pregnancy rate significantly. However, completion of the programme offered a moderate protection.
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In this study, we evaluated the association of polypharmacy and nutritional status among independently-living elderly persons attending the outpatient clinics at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex (EWMSC). ⋯ Among participants, polypharmacy and number of ailments were positively associated with an increased risk of malnutrition. Nonetheless, the mechanisms underlying these associations remain unclear.
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In humans, live male births slightly exceed females and this ratio is conventionally expressed as male live births divided by total live births (M/F). A wide variety of factors have been shown to influence M/F including latitude, stress, socio-economic status and race. This study was carried out in order to ascertain whether there are differences in M/F in different states and in different geographical regions in the United States of America (USA). ⋯ The high Hawaiian M/F is in keeping with Micronesian island findings. The M/F latitude gradient accords with that previously noted in the USA. Historically, Blacks have been shown to have a lower M/F than other races. Long-term stress related to maternal socio-economic status has also been shown to influence M/F, and Blacks are known to be disadvantaged to this day. It is possible that the low M/F historically noted in this race may be due to chronically poor socio-economic circumstances.