ABSTRACT

Objective: Suicide is increasingly acknowledged as a global problem. Yet little is known worldwide about suicide rates among adolescents. Several social factors that exist in Jamaica present as stressors and may predispose to suicide. Ascertaining prevailing patterns and associated factors is important for crafting interventions. This paper establishes adolescent suicide rates for the years 2007–2010 in Jamaica and provides related epidemiological data.

ABSTRACT

ABSTRACT

Background: Depression in adolescents is often overlooked and misdiagnosed; however, it is an important mental health problem which is associated with major functional impairments across daily domains of living, and considerable morbidity. The aim of this research is to examine the prevalence of self-reported depressive symptoms among Jamaican adolescents, and the associated sociodemographic factors.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION

ABSTRACT

Objective: To determine the seroprevalence of HIV among inpatients with neuropsychiatric and other central nervous system (CNS) disorders at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI).

ABSTRACT

Objective: To delineate changes in the epidemiology of HIV including morbidity and mortality patterns based on three key time points in Jamaica’s HIV response.

ABSTRACT

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of depression among persons attending a HIV/AIDS clinic in Kingston, Jamaica, and to explore the possible role of patient-specific clinical and social issues as intermediary factors in the relationship between HIV/ AIDS and depression.

INTRODUCTION

INTRODUCTION

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that problem drug-use is a chronic behavioural disorder characterized by repeated cycles of treatment, relapse and recovery that might last for decades (4). The factors contributing to alcohol and substance use are varied and complex. These include sociodemographic, environmental, sociocultural, family, personality and genetic factors.