Winsome A Segree

Health problems of women in Jamaica.

1976–1985 has been declared the Decade for Women. In 1981, PAHOs Directing Council adopted a Five‐Year Regional Plan of Action on Women in Health and Development. The rationale for studying the health problems of women in the Caribbean are: Womens physiology and their lives are closely related to their reproductive functions; Womens health is reflected in the health of their children and families; and Women in the Caribbean are often the sole financial, social, and emotional providers for their families. The issues are: 1) nutrition, 2) fertility, 3) infection, 4) chronic diseases, and 5) stress and social problems. Results show that women suffer a significant level of anemia and have high fertility rates. Their morbidity due to infection, especially from sexually transmitted diseases are high and chronic diseases have a direct effect on the well‐being of their families. Stress is a cause of incipient ill health and some women resort to alcoholism, smoking, and drug abuse. The future of every country d...