Lutchmie Narine (HDFS) PI, Ambika Krishnakumar (HDFS) co-PI, Jaipaul Lalla Roopnarine (HDFS) co-PI
Intramural Sponsored Projects – 2018-2019 SU CUSE Grant – Interdisciplinary innovation, $30,000.
Young adults in the Caribbean who represent over one-fourth of the area’s total population are particularly vulnerable to challenging and disadvantageous macro-environmental factors and experience a multitude of complex health-related problems. There is a worrying and growing trend in the rates of negative health behaviors among Caribbean youth including aggression (e.g., fighting, hitting), homicide, crime and violence (e.g., robbery, felony, drug dealing), substance abuse (alcohol and drug dependency), and engagement in negative sexual behaviors (unsafe sexual practices, early initiation into sexual activity). Much of the research conducted in the Caribbean on negative health behaviors has focused on adolescents. Our proposed research will focus on the study of health behaviors of 2000 young adults between 18 and 25 years in Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, and Suriname. In the first year, we will conduct a quantitative online survey in which we will examine the risk and protective factors (ecological and cultural) that predict and buffer young adult negative health behaviors. In the second year, we will conduct focus group discussions to understand the contextual factors as well as the cultural norms and myths that hamper parental and community level communications about health behaviors. Data from the survey and the focus group discussions will help us formulate ideas on how to develop health programs to help Caribbean young adults deal with health challenges. As well, the study findings will provide the basis for seeking funding support for more extensive explorations of young adult health in the Caribbean.