OBJECTIVE: Diabetes, hypertension and heart disease inflict a heavy health burden on the Caribbean Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. This study assessed the prevalence of self- reported diabetes, hypertension and heart disease in lower socioeconomically placed individuals accessing welfare grants. METHOD: Data collected between July 2008 and June 2009 were analyzed from 14,793 responses. The survey sought information on education, average monthly income, health, housing, and household facilities. RESULTS: Self-reported disease prevalence was 19.5% (95% CI: 18.9-20.2) for diabetes mellitus; 30.2% (95% CI: 29.5-30.9) for hypertension; and 8.2% (95% CI: 7.7-8.6) for cardiac disease. Diabetes and cardiac disease had equivalent gender frequency; hypertension was more prevalent in women (p<.001). Disease prevalence was highest in Indo-Trinidadians, married and divorced subjects, non-Christians and increased with age. Those with primary education alone were at greatest risk. CONCLUSION: Trinidad and Tobago have a high prevalence of hypertension, diabetes and heart disease. Hypertension showed gender specificity in women. Prevalence was highest in Indo-Trinidadians, increased with age, and primary education alone was a risk factor. Interventions to arrest the high prevalence of chronic non-communicable diseases to promote wellness are needed in Trinidad and Tobago.
OBJECTIVE:Diabetes, hypertension and heart disease inflict a heavy health burden on the Caribbean Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. This study assessed the prevalence of self- reported diabetes, hypertension and heart disease in lower socioeconomically placed individuals accessing welfare grants. METHOD: Data collected between July 2008 and June 2009 were analyzed from 14,793 responses. The survey sought information on education, average monthly income, health, housing, and household facilities. RESULTS: Self-reported disease prevalence was 19.5% (95% CI: 18.9-20.2) for diabetes mellitus; 30.2% (95% CI: 29.5-30.9) for hypertension; and 8.2% (95% CI: 7.7-8.6) for cardiac disease. Diabetes and cardiac disease had equivalent gender frequency; hypertension was more prevalent in women (p<.001). Disease prevalence was highest in Indo-Trinidadians, married and divorced subjects, non-Christians and increased with age. Those with primary education alone were at greatest risk. CONCLUSION: Trinidad and Tobago have a high prevalence of hypertension, diabetes and heart disease. Hypertension showed gender specificity in women. Prevalence was highest in Indo-Trinidadians, increased with age, and primary education alone was a risk factor. Interventions to arrest the high prevalence of chronic non-communicable diseases to promote wellness are needed in Trinidad and Tobago.
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Authors: Natasha Sobers-Grannum; Madhuvanti M Murphy; Anders Nielsen; Cornelia Guell; T Alafia Samuels; Lisa Bishop; Nigel Unwin Journal: PLoS One Date: 2015-05-21 Impact factor: 3.240
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Authors: Allana N Roach; Tasanee Braithwaite; Christine Carrington; Elysse Marcellin; Subash Sharma; Aroon Hingorani; Juan P Casas; Michael A Hauser; R Rand Allingham; Samuel S Ramsewak; Rupert Bourne Journal: Appl Transl Genom Date: 2016-05-12