Browsing by Author "Sakhamuri, Sateesh"

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Port of Spain Declaration for global NCD prevention
    (The Lancet, 2018-04-28) Chattu, Vijay Kumar; Sakhamuri, Sateesh
    As global health researchers working in the areas of NCDs and global health diplomacy, we were delighted to see the priority and emphasis given for global commitment to tackle the epidemic of NCDs in the Lancet Comment “The NCDs Cooperative: a call to action” (Sep 18, 2017)1. The author suggests excellent strategies like proposing a multi-stakeholder structure to serve as a holistic platform with transparency and accountability to negotiate policy space for NCDs. The commentary also highlights that none of the 80 disease-specific policies created do address holistically for NCDs, which require a multi-sectoral, partnership-based solution, however, we would also like to highlight the Port of Spain Declaration - “Uniting to Stop the Epidemic of Chronic NCDs” which was convened in September 2007. This Summit of CARICOM Heads of Government on NCDs was a “first in the world”, as their Declaration focused on the problem and the risks and gave clear policy directions for an inter-sectoral approach, with a 15 point declaration which addresses many key risk factors ranging from Tobacco, physical activity, healthy diet, health services, surveillance, mobilizing society and observing Caribbean wellness days. Through successful global health diplomacy and negotiations, this Caribbean declaration was elevated at a global level which finally resulted in the development of “Political Declaration of the High-level Meeting of the General Assembly on the Prevention and Control of NCDs” on 19th September 20113. Therefore it is high time to ensure political commitment and intersectoral collaboration to form an agency like NCD cooperative through global health diplomacy.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Reduced forced vital capacity is independently associated with ethnicity, metabolic factors and respiratory symptoms in a Caribbean population: a cross-sectional study
    (2019-03-14) Sakhamuri, Sateesh; Lutchmansingh, Fallon; Simeon, Donald; Conyette, Liane; Burney, Peter; Seemungal, Terence
    Abstract Background Relationships between low forced vital capacity (FVC), and morbidity have previously been studied but there are no data available for the Caribbean population. This study assessed the association of low FVC with risk factors, health variables and socioeconomic status in a community-based study of the Trinidad and Tobago population. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted using the Burden of Obstructive Lung Disease (BOLD) study protocol. Participants aged 40 years and above were selected using a two-stage stratified cluster sampling. Generalized linear models were used to examine associations between FVC and risk factors. Results Among the 1104 participants studied a lower post-bronchodilator FVC was independently associated with a large waist circumference (− 172 ml; 95% CI, − 66 to − 278), Indo-Caribbean ethnicity (− 180 ml; 95% CI, − 90 to − 269) and being underweight (− 185 ml; 95% CI, − 40 to − 330). A higher FVC was associated with smoking cannabis (+ 155 ml; 95% CI, + 27 to + 282). Separate analyses to examine associations with health variables indicated that participants with diabetes (p = 0∙041), history of breathlessness (p = 0∙007), and wheeze in the past 12 months (p = 0∙040) also exhibited lower post-bronchodilator FVC. Conclusion These findings suggest that low FVC in this Caribbean population is associated with ethnicity, low body mass index (BMI), large waist circumference, chronic respiratory symptoms, and diabetes.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Tuberculosis Skin Test Screening in the National Tuberculosis Program of Trinidad and Tobago
    (Healthcare, 2020) Chattu, Vijay Kumar; Sakhamuri, Sateesh; Motilal, Shastri; Pounder, Liam J.; Persad, Vasishma Kanita; Pierre, Neelmani; Persad, Shivannie; Pooran, Nikesha; Pottinger, Akua Mosi
    Globally, a quarter of the population is infected with tuberculosis (TB), caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. About 5–10% of latent TB infections (LTBI) progress to active disease during the lifetime. Prevention of TB and treating LTBI is a critical component of theWorld Health Organization’s (WHO) End TB Strategy. This study aims to examine the screening practices for prevention and treatment employed by the National Tuberculosis Program of Trinidad and Tobago in comparison to the WHO’s standard guidelines. A cross-sectional retrospective study was conducted from the TB registers (2018–2019) for persons aged 18 years and above with recorded tuberculin skin test reactions (TST). Bivariate comparisons for categorical variables were made using Chi-square or Fisher’s exact test. Binary logistic regression was used for exploring predictors of TST positivity with adjustment for demographic confounders in multivariable models. Of the total 1972 eligible entries studied, 384 (19.4%) individuals were tested positive with TST. TB contact screening (aOR 2.49; 95% CI 1.65, 3.75) and Bacillus Calmette–Guerin (BCG) vaccination status (aOR 1.66; 95% CI, 1.24 to 2.22) were associated with a positive TST reaction, whereas, preplacement screening failed to show such association when compared to those screened as suspect cases. The findings suggest that TB contact screening and positive BCG vaccination status are associated with TST positivity independent of age and gender