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Faculty of Medical Sciences

Postgraduate Research

How Effective is Metformin Therapy In Delaying the Diagnosis of Endometrial Cancer in Barbadian Postmenopausal Women With Type Two Diabetes? A Retrospective Cohort Study

Researcher(s): Stephanie Date
MPhil/PHD Pharmacology Metformin is commonly prescribed to patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus and its use has been reportedly linked to a reduced risk of cancer in patients with the disease. Metformin’s exact antineoplastic mechanisms of actin remain unclear, with no studies being among Afro-Caribbean populations. In the 2008 annual report of the Barbados National Registry of cancer, this cancer was among the top five cancer sites recorded in women, with a 5-year survival rate of 51% (X). Women most at risk are those who are obese, postmenopausal and have Type 2 diabetes.

Healthcare experiences of caregivers of children with congenital cerebral palsy aged 5-17 years in Barbados (HEAR-CP)

Researcher(s): Lyndon D. Waterman Dr. Madhuvanti Murphy
Masters Public Health Caregivers of children with cerebral palsy (CP) may encounter challenges with physical access to service providers or perceive attitudes that affect their experience with health care for the children. In order to ensure equal access to health care for children with disabilities it is necessary to have information on the experiences of caregivers of these children, yet the published literature appears void of this information. This study aims to help fill a gap in the knowledge and literature concerning whether caregivers of children with cerebral palsy in Barbados experience unequal or facilitated access to healthcare facilities, under what circumstances these experiences occur and the effects of these experiences. It is expected that this study will yield rich insight into their experiences and the meaning they make of such experiences. This may then inform the services providers and policy makers of what is being done well and what could be improved in the provision of services to this community.

‘I need your help’: An investigation into the role of social support in the management of Type 2 Diabetes in Barbados

Researcher(s): Latoya Bartholomew
Masters Public Health 18% of Barbadian population has diabetes mellitus, with Type 2 representing 90% of all diabetes cases in the island (Barbados government Information Service, 2015). Intrinsic to helping an individual with or those at risk of developing T2Dm is the need for behaviour change. As persons with diabetes attempt to effectively address and manage their illness however, they will require a stable and supportive social network. A supportive social network has been increasingly recognized as having an integral role in enhancing health outcomes for persons with a wide range of conditions (Bambina, 2007; belanger et al., 2016; Cattell, 2001; Sarasohn-Khan, 2008). In particular, researchers have argued that (1) it has buffer effect, in which instance persons are provided with copying resources which act as a buffer against psychosocial distress and (2) there is a direct correlation between social support and well-being (Bambina, 2007).

Knowledge, attitude and practices of health care professional regarding the acute care of vaso-occlusive in sickle cell disease in select clinics in Barbados. A cross-sectional study.

Researcher(s): Dr. Subir Hinds
Masters Public Health Vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC) is the hallmark complication of sickle cell disease and it is the most common cause for presentation to the emergency department. This research aims to explore the management of acute VOC from the health care professionals’ point of view by assessing their knowledge, attitudes and practices towards the assessment and treatment of acute pain in this patient population in the public health care system.

Screening and Brief Intervention for Unhealthy Alcohol Use: Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Barbadian Primary Care Physicians

Researcher(s): Russell F. Broome-Webster
Masters Public Health The WHO Global Status report on alcohol demonstrated that alcohol is responsible for about 3 million deaths yearly, attributing > 5% of the global disease burden. 3 in 4 of these deaths happen in men. There are also significant social consequences to alcohol use and these extend to all members of the household as demonstrated by the NASH TT survey. Early intervention for unhealthy alcohol use is aimed at reducing alcohol consumption. Public health strategies recommended are regulation of distribution, restriction of advertisement and increase pricing through taxation. Screening and Brief Intervention (SBI) has been demonstrated in multiple systematic review to be effective at reducing alcohol consumption and is recommended universally to all adults by the USPSTF.

Exploring internalized stigma among people living with severe mental illness in the Caribbean island of Barbados

Researcher(s): Dr. Shani Venner shanivenner@gmail.com
Masters Public Health Persons living with mental disorders can be hindered in achieving life goals due to experiencing internalised stigma, low self-efficacy and low subjective quality of life. Understanding and addressing these variables are thus important. This study is the first to explore internalized stigma and these relationships in Barbados
Faculty of Medical Sciences
Telephone: (246) 417-4694/4703/4264 Fax: (246) 438-9170 Email: fms@cavehill.uwi.edu