Overview

The Health Promotion & Protection Division (HPPD) is that arm of the Ministry of Health, which emphasize on the critical importance of health promotion strategies in safeguarding the health of the nation. The work of the HPPD is centered on the provision of epidemiological information to facilitate the understanding of determinants of health conditions (especially with respect to HIV/AIDS/STIs, Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases & Injuries, and Communicable Disease development of policies and programs to promote and protect the health of the Jamaica and Jamaicans.

Mission

The mission of the division is to promote the physical, mental and spiritual well-being and enhance the quality of life of the Jamaican people through the provision of evidence and the development of cost-effective programs in partnership with stakeholders that will result in individuals promoting a healthy lifestyle, in healthy and safe environments, reducing the risk of the diseases and injuries.

Policy Framework

· Making a difference through Health Promotion.
· Improving information for the development of Public Health Strategies and programs, ensuring that there is equitable, accessible affordable care for Jamaicans.
· Rapid response to health threats.
· Tracking the determinants of health.

Key Functions

• Establish linkages with government and non-government agencies working in different sectors that Health Promotion and Prevention strategies are included in resolving critical health issues and behaviour change.
• Emphasize health promotion and prevention strategies as a critical aspect of the National Public Health Policy and planning process.

The Jamaica Healthy Lifestyle Survey 2000 – Findings

Introduction

Risk taking behaviour increase the likelihood of one experiencing lifestyle related diseases. Taking drugs, smoking cigarettes, drinking excessive quantities of alcohol, driving or riding fast without a seatbelt or wearing a helmet, involvement in aggressive interpersonal behaviour result in diseases or injuries and often cause disability and death. Unsafe sexual practices including unplanned pregnancies increase the risk of contracting HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.
The Jamaica Healthy Lifestyle Survey was conducted in 2000 among a nationally representative sample of adults aged 15-65 years (n=2013). Since those aged 15-49 years are most at risk, a sub sample of these individuals was examined (n=1419, males-481, females-938).

The findings were as follows:

• 1 in 3 women have been pregnant 3-5 times (37% females)
• 1 in 2 did not use a condom on their last sexual act (53% males, 67% females)
• 1 in 4 men and 1 in 8 women have ever had an STD (28% males, 12% females)
• 1 in 2 men and 1 in 10 women had more than 1 sex partner in the past year (34% males, 11% females)
• 1 in 7 have been I injured in the past 5 years (18% males, 12% females)
• 1 in 6 drivers of motor cars hardly ever or never use a seatbelt (16% drivers)
• 1 in 6 men and 1 in 10 women have experienced an injury in the past 5 years (of these injuries 1 in 3 was intentional
• 1 in 7 persons are current smokers (29% males, 7% females)
• 1 in 9 currently smoke marijuana (25% males, 4% females)
• Less than 1% use crack/cocaine (04% males, 0.2% females)
• Most men and 1 in 2 women drank alcohol in the past month (80% males, 50% females)
• 1 in 4 women have ever had a pap smear or a breast examination (25-49 years)
• Most males have ever had a rectal examination (77% males, 25-49 years)

Summary

Why do some people get involved in or are exposed to these behaviours while others do not? Persons of higher socio-economic status or educational level and who actively practice religion appear to have less risk taking behaviour. However, the reasons underlying high-risk behaviour are not well understood and need to be studied more fully in Jamaica. Resiliency factors including the presence of a supportive family environment or presence of a significant other, self-esteem. Education, aspiration, participation in religious activities, occupation in productive activities such as gainful employment, learning, sport have been shown to be protective. Lifestyle related diseases can be prevented or ameliorated by changing our behaviours. A clear understanding of the risk and resiliency factors and how we can change behaviour will impact on the future health status of all Jamaicans.