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UWI To Receive IDB Support For Child Cohort Study

Between 1986 and 2003, the University of the West Indies (UWI Mona) and the Ministry of Health (MOH) collaborated on a series of Birth Cohort Studies in Jamaica.  The Jamaica Perinatal Morbidity and Mortality Survey was a national study designed to identify modifiable risk factors associated with poor maternal and perinatal outcome. Follow-up studies of this 1986 birth cohort were conducted at ages 11-12, 15-16 and 20-21 years to better understand the factors that impact child development, behaviour and academic achievement in Jamaica’s children.

To date, these studies are the only comprehensive longitudinal birth cohort study of children in the Caribbean and have had significant impact on various policies, programmes and interventions for children. However, despite their successes, these studies were undertaken prior to the explosion in knowledge on the early years and therefore did not collect detailed data on children in the cohort of 0-2 years and their family/supportive environments. Such factors are now deemed critical to childhood, national and human development.

Consequently, the Department of Child Health at UWI Mona will be embarking on a new Jamaican Birth Cohort Study in 2011.  The ‘JA Kids’ study is a comprehensive exploration of child health and development in 21st century Jamaica.  The study is being funded through a US$500,000 grant from Japanese Special Fund administered through the Inter-American Development Bank.


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