Introduction:
In 2007, for the first time in Jamaica unspecified chronic Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs)
became greater (26.3%) than the listed NCDs (hypertension, 23.1%; diabetes, 13.8%; arthritis, 6.3% and chronic
respiratory disease, 10.7%). The time has come for scholars to unravel the unspecified NCDs.
Objectives:
These are to evaluate unspecified chronic conditions, to provide a better understanding of whom and
what constitutes this cohort, and make information available about the new unraveled unspecified NCDs in Jamaica.
Materials and methods:
The dataset for 2007 Jamaica Survey of Living Conditions (JSLC) is used for this study.
JSLC is a modification of the World Bank’s Household Living Standards Survey. It is a national representative cross-
sectional survey that is conducted annually. The sample for this research is 234 respondents who were classified as
having other NCDs. Chi-square, independent sample t-test, analysis of variance and logistic regression are used to
analyse the data.
Findings:
The majority of the respondents are females (56%); 44% is in the wealthier classes; 37% in the poorer
classes (20.1% below the poverty line); 42% reported having at least good self-rated health status; 56% dwell in
rural areas; 23% is less than 16 years of age; 22% is at least 60 years of age; 16.7% have diabetes and chronic
respiratory disease, and 33.2% have arthritis.
Conclusion:
This study provides the framework for a better understanding of those with unspecified chronic
conditions and offers policy makers and others pertinent health information and insights that can be used to
conceptualize new treatment options.