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Personal characteristics of patients and environmental factors at psychiatric hospitals have been identified as predictors of absconding. In this chapter we seek to establish a relationship between time of the year and absconding. All characteristics of absconders were taken over a two-year period from hospital records (N=104). Public holidays and lunar phases were obtained through almanacs for each year; and school vacation period was determined by reference to a school academic calender. Fridays was the most popular day of the week for absconding. Males were more likely to escape on the weekends while females tended to escape during the wet season. Christmas was the most popular holiday season for absconding. The largest percentage of absconding was at the full moon phase. It is recommended that the system of patient care should be client driven at all times and greater supervision of patients is needed on weekends, vacation periods and during the full moon phase.

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Trinidad and Tobago, not unlike many Caribbean countries is a plural society resplendent in its cultural diversity. It prides itself with an ethno historical background of African slavery, Indian indentureship and European migration emerging into a post emancipation society of open expressions of social commentaries in song, dance and language. It remains today and easy going society with a style of picong communication which to the observer remains strange. This chapter underlines the relevance of the behaviour of migrant groups both from the sending and receiving countries since the relics of a culture persist despite cultural changes. A questionnaire survey on the culture of Trinidad and Tobago is undertaken to study the cultural behaviours existing in Trinidad and Tobago and to assess the population's awareness, perception and description of these behaviours. Respondents were presented with nine identified behaviours and perceived five of them to be part of Trinidadian culture: Liming, carnival mentality, player or playboy personality, Tabanca and obsessional lateness were identified as existent cultural behaviours.

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Previous research in Trinidad and Tobago has been limited in examining suicidal behavior through psychological autopsy, secondary data and psychiatric populations. To date there has been no community survey with an emphasis on causation and prevention. A total of 1.845 respondents age 14-20 were selected in 24 schools across the country. Data were collected on socio demographic variables and suicidal behavior. Gender differences existed for both suicidal ideation and attempts (p<0.001). Respondents from reconstituted families had higher suicidal ideation compared to other family structures (p<0.001), while intact families had the lowest rate if suicide attempts (p<0.001). Attendance to religious institutions lowered only suicide ideation (p<0.05), while prayer with the family lowered both suicidal ideation (p<0.01) and suicidal attempts (p<0.001). Individual with alcohol abuse in the family had a higher suicidal ideation (p<0.001) and attempts (p<0.001). Significant social predictors of suicidal behaviour in Trinidad and Tobago are gender, attendance to religious institution, prayer with family, family structure and alcohol abuse in the family. It is essential to consider these predictors in planning public health policies.

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Criminal activity is a major social problem faced by governments and there is consensus that different types of crime will have different causes. Two major predictors of crime include alcohol and unemployment. In Trinidad and Tobago, minor crimes are the most prevalent when compared to serious crimes and minor offences. The purpose of this study was to examine the types of crime in Trinidad and Tobago and to identify the role of unemployment and alcohol. This study utilised the use of secondary data from the central statistical office (CSO) for the period 1990-1997. Statistical analyses took the form of Pearson Product Moment correlations and stepwise multiple regression analysis to identify significant predictors. Stepwise regression models revealed unemployment accounted for 69.2% of the variance for serious crimes, beer consumption 64% of the variance of minor offences and both unemployment and beer consumption accounted for 92.2% of the variance of minor crimes. Beer consumption and unemployment play a significant role in criminal activities in Trinidad and Tobago. However, it is recommended that a further examination of the unemployment-crime (U-C) relationship needs to be done where the unemployment measure accounts for age, gender and county differences. Reductions in beer consumption would significantly reduce the occurrences of minor offences in the country.

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The purpose of this study is to report the aggressive sexual behaviour of alcohol dependent men and its implications on clinical practice. A total of thirty women of male alcohol dependent partners were taken from the psychiatric clinic and matched with a control group of spouses of healthy non-drinking men for the variables of age, gender, ethnicity and social class. These groups were tested for sexually induced marks over a one month period, areas of the body that were marked, duration of the body marks and love making experiences. Our findings indicate that the spouses of alcohol dependent men are subjected to more aggressive and painful sexual experiences, more body marks in more regions that lasted an average of 7 days and more biting of body surfaces than wives of non-alcohol dependent men. These behaviours are interpreted as subtle signs of domestic violence which should not be ignored in clinical practice.

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Depression is a major problem worldwide and ranks within the first five common burden of disease affecting mankind. Raising rates of depression among youths and its association with the use of intoxicants present a major challenge to health care policy planner and governments alike. This chapter reviews major trends in adolescent depression in secondary schools in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and independently in the sister isle of Tobago. Incidence rates of 14% were found in Trinidad and Tobago and 10.1% in Tobago indicative of differences in population composition and social trends in both islands. Social parameters of gender differences, age cohort, attendance to religious institutions, prayer with the family, family use of alcohol, type of school attended, ethnicity and family structures were investigated. These variables were found to be significant contributory factors to adolescent depression in the Republic. An understanding of early depression in diverse communities will be helpful in reducing the global burden of common diseases.

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This study investigates depression in adolescents in Trinidad and Tobago and identifies any significant trends associated with its occurrence. A stratified random sample of 1.845 adolescent students from 24 schools was administered a questionnaire requesting demographic information and responses to the Reynolds Adolescent Depression Scale. In all, 14% of the sample was depressed. Depression was 2.18 times more likely to occur in females than males (17.9 % vs. 8.2 %). The peak age was 16 years with a rate of 15.9%. Both attendance at a religious institution and prayer with the family resulted in lower depression rates. Intact families had the lowest rate (11.7 %),while the reconstituted family had the highest rate (25.7 %). Individuals who had alcohol abuse in their family were 1.8 times more likely to be depressed than those without abuse. Adolescents from non-prestige schools were more likely to be depressed than those from prestige schools (p < 0.01). There were no ethnic differences in depression. The findings of this study are comparable to those of developed countries and provide guidelines for the planning and development of strategies for fighting depression in developing countries.

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This study investigates depression in adolescents in Trinidad and Tobago and identifies any significant trends associated with its occurrence. A stratified random sample of 1.845 adolescent students from 24 schools was administered a questionnaire requesting demographic information and responses to the Reynolds Adolescent Depression Scale. In all, 14 per cent of the sample was depressed. Depression was 2.18 times more likely to occur in females than males (17.9 per cent vs. 8.2 per cent). The peak age was 16 years with a rate of 15.9 per cent. Both attendance at a religious institution and prayer with the family resulted in lower depression rates. Intact families had the lowest rate (11.7 per cent),while the reconstituted family had the highest rate (25.7 per cent). Individuals who had alcohol abuse in their family were 1.8 times more likely to be depressed than those without abuse. Adolescents from non-prestige schools were more likely to be depressed than those from prestige schools (p < 0.01). There were no ethnic differences in depression. The findings of this study are comparable to those of developed countries and provide guidelines for the planning and development of strategies for fighting depression in developing countries.

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BACKGROUND: Previous research in Trinidad and Tobago has been limited in examining suicidal behaviours through psychological autopsy, secondary data and psychiatric populations. To date, there has been no community survey with an emphasis on causation and prevention. METHODS: A total of 1,845 respondents aged 14-20 were selected in 24 schools across the country. Data were collected on socio-demographic variables and suicidal behaviour. RESULTS: Gender differences existed for both suicidal ideation and attempts (p<0.001). Respondents from reconstituted families had higher suicidal ideation compared to other family structures (p<0.001), while intact families had the lowest rate for suicide attempts (p<0.01). Attendance to a religious institution lowered only suicidal ideation (p<0.05), while prayer with the family lowered both suicidal ideation (p<0.01) and suicide attempts (p<0.001). Individuals with alcohol abuse in the family had higher suicidal ideation (p<0.001) and attempts (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Significant social predictors of suicidal behaviour in Trinidad and Tobago are gender, attendance to a religious institution, prayer with the family, family structure and alcohol abuse in the family. It is essential to consider these predictors in planning public health policies.

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BACKGROUND: Previous research in Trinidad and Tobago has been limited in examining suicidal behaviours through psychological autopsy, secondary data and psychiatric populations. To date, there has been no community survey with an emphasis on causation and prevention. METHODS: A total of 1,845 respondents aged 14–20 were selected in 24 schools across the country. Data were collected on socio-demographic variables and suicidal behaviour. RESULTS: Gender differences existed for both suicidal ideation and attempts (p<0.001). Respondents from reconstituted families had higher suicidal ideation compared to other family structures (p<0.001), while intact families had the lowest rate for suicide attempts (p<0.01). Attendance to a religious institution lowered only suicidal ideation (p<0.05), while prayer with the family lowered both suicidal ideation (p<0.01) and suicide attempts (p<0.001). Individuals with alcohol abuse in the family had higher suicidal ideation (p<0.001) and attempts (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Significant social predictors of suicidal behaviour in Trinidad and Tobago are gender, attendance to a religious institution, prayer with the family, family structure and alcohol abuse in the family. It is essential to consider these predictors in planning public health policies.

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OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether unemployment and alcohol consumption were associated with different types of crime in Trinidad and Tobago. METHODS: This study made use of secondary data from the Central Statistical Office of Trinidad and Tobago for the period 1990-1997. Pearson product moment correlations and stepwise multiple regression analysis were used to identify significant predictors of crime. RESULTS: Unemployment accounted for 69.2% of the variance for serious crimes. Beer available for home consumption explained 64% of the variance for minor offenses, and both unemployment and beer available for home consumption accounted for 92.2% of the variance for minor crimes. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides information that is potentially useful for developing public policies for unemployment and for the sale of beer for home consumption, both of which are associated with crime in Trinidad and Tobago. Reductions in beer available for home consumption-a major public health concern-would significantly reduce the occurrence of minor offenses in this country. Further research is needed on the relationship between unemployment and crime.

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Objective. The purpose of this study was to determine whether unemployment and alcohol consumption were associated with different types of crime in Trinidad and Tobago. Methods. This study made use of secondary data from the Central Statistical Office of Trinidad and Tobago for the period 1990-1997. Pearson product moment correlations and stepwise multiple regression analysis were used to identify significant predictors of crime. Results. Unemployment accounted for 69.2 percent of the variance for serious crimes. Beer availability for home consumption explained 64 percent of the variance for minor offences, and both unemployment and beer available for home consumption accounted for 92.2 percent of the variance for minor crimes. Conclusions. This study provides information that is potentially useful for developing public policies for unemployment and for the sale of beer for home consumption, both of which are associated with crime in Trinidad and Tobago. Reductions in beer available for home consumption-a major public health concern- would significantly reduce the occurence of minor offenses in this country. Further research is needed on the relationship between unemployment and crime (AU)

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OBJETIVO: Determinar si el desempleo y el consumo de alcohol se asociaban con distintos tipos de delincuencia en Trinidad y Tabago. MÉTODOS: El estudio se realizó con datos secundarios obtenidos de la Oficina Central de Estadísticas de Trinidad y Tabago para el período de 1990­1997. Se aplicaron correlaciones de Pearson del tipo producto-momento y análisis de regresión múltiple por eliminación progresiva (stepwise regression) para identificar los principales factores pronósticos relacionados con la delincuencia. RESULTADOS: El desempleo explicó 69,2% de la varianza en la frecuencia de delitos graves. La disponibilidad de cerveza para consumo en el hogar explicó 64% de la varianza en la frecuencia de infracciones menores, y el desempleo junto con la disponibilidad de cerveza para consumo en el hogar explicaron 92,2% de la varianza en la frecuencia de delitos menores. CONCLUSIONES: Este estudio proporciona información que puede ser útil para idear políticas contra el desempleo y la venta de cerveza destinada al consumo doméstico, factores que se asocian con la delincuencia en Trinidad y Tabago. Si se redujera la disponibilidad de cerveza para consumo en el hogar ùproblema de salud pública importanteù, la frecuencia de infracciones menores se reduciría notablemente en este país. Hacen falta más investigaciones que exploren la relación entre el desempleo y la delincuencia.

Objective. The purpose of this study was to determine whether unemployment and alcohol consumption were associated with different types of crime in Trinidad and Tobago. Methods. This study made use of secondary data from the Central Statistical Office of Trinidad and Tobago for the period 1990­1997. Pearson product moment correlations and stepwise multiple regression analysis were used to identify significant predictors of crime. Results. Unemployment accounted for 69.2% of the variance for serious crimes. Beer available for home consumption explained 64% of the variance for minor offenses, and both unemployment and beer available for home consumption accounted for 92.2% of the variance for minor crimes. Conclusions. This study provides information that is potentially useful for developing public policies for unemployment and for the sale of beer for home consumption, both of which are associated with crime in Trinidad and Tobago. Reductions in beer available for home consumption­a major public health concern­would significantly reduce the occurrence of minor offenses in this country. Further research is needed on the relationship between unemployment and crime

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The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is the most southerly of the Caribbean island states. Trinidad is just 14 km from the coast of Venezuela. Trinidad covers an area of 4828 km2 while Tobago, the sister isle, has an area of 300 km2. The total population is approximately 1.3 million; 40.3% of the population is of East Indian descent, 39.6% of African descent, 18.4% mixed and 1.7% belong to other ethnic groups (Central Statistical Office, 2001). St Ann's Hospital in Port of Spain, the capital, was established in 1900 and is the country's only psychiatric hospital. There are two general hospitals, one in the north, at Port of Spain, and the other in the south, at San Fernando.

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The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of depressive symptomatology, major depression and dysthymia in a sample of Tobagonian adolescents. A stratified random sample of 203 adolescent students was selected from three schools in Tobago by random number generation of the total number of schools. The subjects were administered the Reynolds Adolescent Depression Scale (RADS) and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). The ages of the adolescents ranged from 14-18 years (mean 16.3). Females comprised 60% of the sample. Eighty-five percent were Africans, 14% mixed and 1% Indians. Ninety-nine percent belonged to Christian-based religions. Females were more likely to have depressive symptomatology (p < 0.01) and major depression than males (p < 0.05). There were no gender differences in dysthymia. Separate analyses of the RADS and PHQ-9 were consistent with a finding of 10.1% of the sample having a depressive symptomatology and 10.1% suffering from a depressive disorder of which 6.06% were rated as dysthymia and 4.04% as major depression. The rate of adolescent depression in Tobago was 10.1 percent and at the lower range similar to international data of developed countries. This may be explained by the presence of a well-integrated, homogeneous Christian-based society devoid of multiculturalism. The Reynolds Adolescent Depression Scale (RADS) is an effective screening measure for depression in Tobagonian adolescents and can be used in other Caribbean countries. The PHQ-9 can be employed to identify adolescents in the community that meet the criteria for depressive disorders.

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