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Jamaica Women Health Information
– Reported, February 29, 2012
In Jamaica the lifetime average number of children per women is 3 compared with 2 in the UK.
69% of women of reproductive age report using (or a partner using) a contraceptive method compared with 82% in the UK.
66% of women aged 5069 years have undergone a breast examination or mammography compared to 75% in the UK and 68% of women aged 2069 years have undergone cervical cancer screening compared to 70% in the UK.
Anaemia
There is a moderate risk of anaemia in people from this country (estimated prevalence in non-pregnant women 20-40%). Be alert to this possibility in recently arrived migrants, particularly for women and pre-school children, and test as clinically indicated.
Vitamin D deficiency
Sunlight is the major source of vitamin D and dark skinned individuals or those who for cultural or religious reasons cover their whole bodies when outdoors are at risk of deficiency, as are those whose diets (vegetarian/vegan) do not contain an adequate vitamin D supply.
Vitamin A deficiency
There is a high risk of vitamin A deficiency in this country.
TB
There is a low incidence of TB in this country (less than 40 cases/100,000).
Routine screening is not required but testing should be considered in patients who show signs and symptoms of TB.
TB is a notifiable disease.
HIV and sexually transmitted infections
There is a high rate of HIV in this country.
All patients from this country should be offered an HIV test
Sexually active individuals should be offered a full sexual health screen and safer sex health promotion advice by referral to local genito-urinary medicine services.
Hepatitis B
This country has an intermediate prevalence of hepatitis B.
Consider screening for hepatitis B, particularly among those who have recently arrived.
All pregnant women should be offered screening for hepatitis B infection during each pregnancy.
Babies born to mothers who are hepatitis B positive should be appropriately immunised and followed-up accordingly.
Hepatitis C
This country has the same or lower prevalence of hepatitis C than the UK.
Ascertain any risk factors for HCV infection that may indicate the need for screening.
Malaria
There is a very low risk of malaria in some areas of this country due to P. falciparum and P. vivax.
Any unwell patient with a history of arrival from or a visit to affected areas of this country in the last year must be tested for malaria.
Enteric fever
There is a risk of typhoid infection in this country.
Helminths
There is a risk of helminth infections including soil transmitted helminthiasis in this country.
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