Abstractobjective To assess the socioeconomic impact of lymphatic filariasis (LF) in Guyana. methods Observational, cross-sectional study of 50 persons with chronic LF attending the Filariasis Clinic who were selected as the cases; and 50 persons with chronic skin conditions but no chronic LF, attending the Skin Clinic who were selected as the controls. The two groups were assessed using semi-structured interviews.

Objectives: To examine the knowledge and perceptions of 11-year old girls and their guardians toward the human papillomavirus (HPV), HPV (mandatory) useful and meaningful way and this will positively influence the decision-making process as it pertains to HPV vaccination. The Ministry of Health in Guyana has undertaken to introduce the HPV vaccine for 11-year old girls. Thus, a study that focusses on the knowledge and perceptions of the target population would be both timely and provide helpful, scientific data about the likely success of any HPV vaccination intervention. This study seeks to evaluate the knowledge of HPV, the HPV vaccine, and cervical cancer among 11-year old girls and their guardians; to examine their opinions about making the vaccine mandatory and their willingness to be vaccinated and also to compare their sources of health information for any significant differences. SUBJECTS AND METHODSA cross-sectional survey, on two different study populations, was carried out in May to June 2012, and was used to examine the level of knowledge in a sample of 11-year old girls and their guardians. To select the girls, five primary schools in Georgetown were chosen from among the 30 government/public schools listed by the Ministry of Education (MoE) for the Georgetown region. The schools were selected using systematic random sampling. The starting point was chosen using a table of random numbers and every other sixth school was then selected. Similarly, using the class register, every other two girls from each class were randomly chosen, totalling about 15-20 girls per school. One class per school was chosen if a school had more than one class of 11-year old girls. The head teacher together with the class teacher determined which class would be chosen based on availability on the timetable. The target sample size was 100 girls, considering that there are about 900 11-year old girls in the public school system in Georgetown based on verbal communication with an MoE official. The sample size was determined using an appropriate statistical formula for minimum sample and was estimated at 96 for a 95% level of confidence and using the formula N = Z 2 P (1-P)/d 2 where P or anticipated population proportion was set at 50% or 0; d or desired precision was set at 10% and for 95% level of confidence and z = 1.960 (11).The researchers intended to interview at least one guardian for each student which would give 100 guardians. A

Aims: To investigate the attitudes and beliefs of physicians and pharmacists towards Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) using two instruments: the Complementary and Alternative Belief Inventory (CAMBI) and the Attitudes to Alternative Medicine. Study Design: This was a cross-sectional study of registered physicians and pharmacists attending their conferences or Continuing Pharmacy Education (CPE) sessions in Guyana. Place and Duration of Study: Pharmacists attending their first CPE for 2015 and physicians at their annual Medical Conference participated. Methodology: A pre-tested, self-administered questionnaire was used and 274 persons (140 physicians and 134 pharmacists) participated. One section of the questionnaire, utilised the CAMBI to measure three constructs: beliefs in holistic health, natural treatments, and participation in treatment. The other section focused on attitudes to Alternative Medicine. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and structural equations modelling were employed in the analysis of the data. Results: For the CAMBI, a final model was obtained following the removal of several items that lacked validity and statistical significance. Most of the participants (56%) were 20-30 years old and most (52%) of them had 5 years or less professional experience. Overall, the participants were not closed to the use of CAM but there was some scepticism. Physicians believed more strongly in holistic health than pharmacists, but the latter group showed a more positive attitude to involvement in the CAM environment. Attitudes were not affected by age nor area of practice but were influenced by profession, gender, ethnicity, years of professional service and whether or not they attended the local university. Conclusion: The CAMBI performed poorly and would have to be revised to suit the local context in future studies. Overall, most participants had some reservations about CAM. Emphasis on holistic health and CAM should be prioritised in any training at the undergraduate level or any continuing education sessions.

Aims: To evaluate the effect of a video educational intervention, on the knowledge of physicians and pharmacists with respect to their awareness of the difference between local bush medicines (bush) and imported herbal medicines (herb); and, their uses, side effects, contraindications and drug interactions. Also, to determine if there was exposure to and an interest in formal training on Complementary, Alternative and Bush Medicine (CABM). Study Design: A cross-sectional study of registered pharmacists and physicians in Guyana, attending their annual conferences, was carried out with a self-administered survey questionnaire on medicinal plants. Methodology: Participants completed the Pre-Questionnaire; then were shown a video and subsequently given a similar Post-Questionnaire. The impact of the video was investigated using Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), Wilcoxon Sign Rank tests and logistic and multinomial regression models. Results: A total of 274 (134 pharmacists and 140 doctors) persons participated. The bush which most were aware of, was corilla/bitter melon, both in the pre-questionnaire (60%) and in the post-questionnaire (83%). Cranberry (pre-score 48%, post-score 51%) was the most identified herb. A comparison of the pre and post scores using the paired t-test (t=2.528, df=175, P=0.005) indicated improved awareness. Most persons were able to identify one use of corilla/bitter melon (pre-score 61%, post-score 70%). However, for the other bush/herbs, and for the side effects, contraindications and drug interactions, knowledge was lacking although there were significant improvements after the intervention. 44% indicated that CABM was part of their formal training and pharmacists were more likely to have had formal training. 88% were interested in further training. Conclusion: The study found a paucity of knowledge about medicinal plants and therefore strongly recommends implementing formal education on CABM in university curricula and in future Continuing Education (CE) sessions. The video intervention had a significant impact and should be used as a template.

Aims: To examine the attitudes and practices of physicians and pharmacists towards bush medicine, and explore the factors influencing their attitudes. Also, to determine whether a video educational intervention impacted attitudes. Study Design: This was a cross-sectional study of registered physicians and pharmacists. Place and Duration of Study: A total of 274 persons participated: 134 pharmacists attending their first Continuing Pharmacy Education (CPE) of 2015 and 140 physicians attending their annual Medical Scientific Conference. Methodology: A pre-tested, self-administered questionnaire was distributed and collected, a video intervention was shown, and a post-intervention questionnaire was administered. Data were analysed using latent class cluster analysis, and the best-fitting model was determined using mainly the Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC). Logistic and multinomial regression and Fisher's exact test were also employed to investigate associations with demographic variables and the impact of the intervention. Results: Most of the participants (56.4%) were 20-30 years old, and the majority (52%) had five years or less professional experience. Pharmacists displayed a more positive attitude to bush medicine than physicians. Most (99%) believed that patients should inform their physician/pharmacist about their bush medicine use, but only 53% routinely requested this information. More than half (52%) had personally used bush medicine, but only 38% had ever recommended its use. More than 90% believed that clinical trials should be conducted with bush medicine before it is used, and 88% were interested in further training. Ethnicity, years of professional experience and type of profession influenced attitudes and the intervention led to an improved outlook regarding bush medicine. Conclusion: Overall, most participants had some misgivings about bush medicine but were willing to learn more and were interested in clinical trials. Evidence-based clinical research and training at the tertiary level or future continuing education sessions should be implemented using the content in the video as a template.