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ABSTRACT Objective: Pharmacists have not demonstrated the ability to manage chronic diseases such as Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, which is an ongoing problem in Trinidad and Tobago. The primary objective was to demonstrate that pharmacists can assist patients to achieve at least a 1% decrease in glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c). Methods: A randomized, controlled Pharmacist Evaluative Research Study compared the efficacy of pharmacist-managed care (the intervention), and routine standard management (control) of poorly controlled (abnormal HbA1c, blood pressure, blood glucose and lipid panel) adult diabetic patients. Participants in the intervention group met with the pharmacist at their respective primary care sites on a regular basis for an assessment of adherence to medications, barriers to adherence and education. Control group participants consisted of patients receiving routine care by their primary physician but with no direct intervention by the pharmacist except for the filling of prescriptions. Results: Seventy-five patients were initially recruited. Of these, 48 (20 intervention and 28 control) met the inclusion criteria. It was only possible to analyse the result from 20 patients: 14 (70%) intervention and 6 (21.4%) control because of incomplete collected data. A minimum decrease of at least 1% HbA1c was obtained by 8 (57%) intervention participants compared to 2 (33%) in the control group; while HbA1c remained unchanged for two participants, each in the intervention and control groups (14% and 33%, respectively). Conclusion: We could not conclude any statistical or clinical significance in the paper as the data could only be analysed using descriptive methods. Building a culture of research among pharmacists may promote the use of pharmacists as adjunctive healthcare practitioners to achieve better patient outcomes.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Los farmacéuticos no han demostrado ser capaces de manejar el tratamiento de enfermedades crónicas como el tipo 2 Diabetes mellitus, que es un problema actual en Trinidad y Tobago. El objetivo principal fue demostrar que los farmacéuticos pueden ayudar a los pacientes a lograr al menos una disminución del 1% en hemoglobina (Hba1C). Métodos: Un Estudio de Investigación Evaluativa Farmacéutico controlado aleatorio, comparó la eficacia de la atención gestionada por los farmacéuticos (intervención) y el manejo estándar de rutina (control) de pacientes diabéticos adultos con pobre control (niveles anormales de hemoglobina glicosilada, presión arterial, glucosa en sangre, y perfil lipídico). Los participantes en el grupo de intervención se reunieron de manera regular con el farmacéutico en sus respectivos centros de atención primaria para evaluar el cumplimiento con los medicamentos, así como los obstáculos a la observancia y la educación. Los participantes del grupo de control eran pacientes que recibían atención de rutina de parte de su médico primario, pero sin intervención directa del farmacéutico, excepto para el llenado de prescripciones. Resultados: Setenta-cinco pacientes fueron reclutados inicialmente. De estos, 48 (20 de intervención y 28 de control) cumplían los criterios de inclusión. Debido a que los datos recopilados estaban incompletos, sólo fue posible analizar el resultado de 20 pacientes: 14 (70%) de intervención y 6 (21.4%) de control. Una disminución mínima de al menos 1% de HbA1C fue obtenida por 8 (57%) participantes de intervención en comparación con 2 (33%) en el grupo de control, mientras que el HbA1C permaneció inalterado para 2 participantes, cada uno en los grupos de intervención y control (14% y 33%, respectivamente). Conclusión: Los datos apoyan la hipótesis de que la gestión de los farmacéuticos como profesionales complementarios de la salud, posibilita lograr mejores resultados en los pacientes, a diferencia de lo que ocurre en ausencia de tal gestión.

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OBJECTIVE: To investigate the knowledge, awareness and attitudes of guardians towards the distribution of Gardasil to school children in the North Central Regional Health Authority jurisdiction of Trinidad. DESIGN AND METHODS: A cross sectional study utilizing a questionnaire was employed to collect data from 368 participants who reside in the North Central division of Trinidad. The statistical analysis included chi square tests and logistical regression. RESULTS: There was an increase in the approval rate of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine (32.4%) after the participants received further education. Guardians preferred the 12-14 (24.2%) and 9-11 (23.1%) age groups for vaccination. Religion did not influence the decision to vaccinate. About half (49.2%) of parents believed vaccination would not cause promiscuity. Women were more likely to approve of the vaccine (p=0.023). Most participants did not talk to a doctor about the vaccine (70.7%). The general opinion (44.9%) was that insufficient information was imparted for an informed decision to be made. CONCLUSION: There was approval of the HPV vaccine despite risks and lack of knowledge. A more effective vaccination program requires prolonged sensitization of the public on the HPV vaccine.

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