Journal of Tropical Diseases & Public Health

Abstract

Unspecified Non-communicable Diseases in Jamaica: Has the Time Come to Unravel this Label?

Bourne PA, Francis C, Sharpe-Pryce C, Hudson-Davis A, Solan I, Watson-Coleman O, Rhule J, Clarke J and Campbell-Smith J

Introduction: In 2007, for the first time in Jamaica unspecified chronic Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs) became greater (26.3%) than the listed NCDs (hypertension, 23.1%; diabetes, 13.8%; arthritis, 6.3% and chronic respiratory disease, 10.7%). The time has come for scholars to unravel the unspecified NCDs.

Objectives: These are to evaluate unspecified chronic conditions, to provide a better understanding of whom and what constitutes this cohort, and make information available about the new unraveled unspecified NCDs in Jamaica.

Materials and methods: The dataset for 2007 Jamaica Survey of Living Conditions (JSLC) is used for this study. JSLC is a modification of the World Bank’s Household Living Standards Survey. It is a national representative crosssectional survey that is conducted annually. The sample for this research is 234 respondents who were classified as having other NCDs. Chi-square, independent sample t-test, analysis of variance and logistic regression are used to analyse the data.

Findings: The majority of the respondents are females (56%); 44% is in the wealthier classes; 37% in the poorer classes (20.1% below the poverty line); 42% reported having at least good self-rated health status; 56% dwell in rural areas; 23% is less than 16 years of age; 22% is at least 60 years of age; 16.7% have diabetes and chronic respiratory disease, and 33.2% have arthritis.

Conclusion: This study provides the framework for a better understanding of those with unspecified chronic conditions and offers policy makers and others pertinent health information and insights that can be used to conceptualize new treatment options.