Prologue

The Health Sciences and Health Administration (HSHA) Unit continues to be committed to the conduct of rigorous, methodologically sound research on local health sector management and leadership issues that directly and indirectly impact the health and well-being of our population. The following highlights past, ongoing and proposed student and faculty research, national collaborations, awards and other scholarly accomplishments, industry-partnered projects and upcoming collaborative research events occurring within the Unit.

Research Publications (peer-reviewed journals, books, conference proceedings)

• Lewis, K., & Glasgow, S. (2025). The Role of Mental Illness in Homelessness: A Literature Review [Manuscript under preparation].
• Francis, D. A., & Glasgow, S. (2025). Barriers to Employment among Persons with Disabilities in Trinidad and Tobago [Manuscript submitted for publication].
• Ramsubhag, K., Glasgow, S. & Vuma, S. (2024). Establishing a Population-Based Reference Range for the Complete Blood Count Profile for the Population Served by the South West Regional Health Authority [Supplemental material]. West Indies Medical Journal, 71(Suppl. 2), 1-50. https://www.mona.uwi.edu/fms/wimj/system/files/article_pdfs/nhrc_2024_conference_proceedings_0.pdf
• Ramsubhag, K., Glasgow, S. & Vuma, S. (2024, Sep 18-19). Establishing a Population-Based Reference Range for the Complete Blood Count Profile for the Population Served by the South West Regional Health Authority [Conference session]. Fourth Annual UTT Research Symposium, N.A.P.A., Port-of-Spain, Trinidad.
• St. Rose, R., & Glasgow, S. (2024, Sep 18-19). A Mixed-Method Quasi-Experimental Design: The Effect of Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Management Interventions on Stock Levels [Conference session]. Fourth Annual UTT Research Symposium, N.A.P.A., Port-of-Spain, Trinidad.
• Glasgow, S., Cartwright, S., & Simpson, J. (2024). Perceptions About Being On-call Among Trinidadian Doctors and Significant Others: A Qualitative Inquiry. Caribbean Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies, 3(1), 66-89. https://cjms.utt.edu.tt/ojs/index.php/cjms/article/view/27/50
• Hodge, K., & Glasgow, S. (2023). A Mixed Methods Study Assessing Absenteeism Among Pharmacists at The San Fernando General Hospital [Supplemental material]. West Indies Medical Journal, 70(Suppl. 3), 1-62. https://www.mona.uwi.edu/fms/wimj/system/files/article_pdfs/nhrc_2023_conference_proceedings.pdf
• Francis, D. A., & Glasgow, S. (2023, July 10-12). Barriers to Employment among Persons with Disabilities in Trinidad and Tobago [Conference session]. Fourth Regional Mixed Methods Research Conference, U.W.I., St. Augustine, Trinidad.
• St. Rose, R., & Glasgow, S. (2023, July, 10-12). A Mixed-Method Quasi-Experimental Design: The Effect of Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Management Interventions on Stock Levels [Conference session]. Fourth Regional Mixed Methods Research Conference, U.W.I., St. Augustine, Trinidad.
• Lewis, K., & Glasgow, S. (2023, April, 21). The Role of Mental Illness in Contributing to Homelessness in Trinidad and Tobago [Poster presentation]. Fifth Annual North West Regional Health Authority Research Day, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad.
• Glasgow, S., Cartwright, S., & Simpson, J. (2023). Family and Non-Work Experiences of Trinidadian On-Call Doctors and Significant Others. Caribbean Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies, 2(1), 65-87. file:///C:/Users/saman/Downloads/CJMS+Volume+2+No+1+Article+Galley+pp+65-87+Samantha+Glasgow+-+On+Call+Doctors%20(11).pdf
• Nagassar, R. P., Carrington, A., Dookeram, D., Daniel, K., & Bridgelal-Nagassar, R. J. (2023). Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices in Antibiotic Dispensing amongst Pharmacists in Trinidad and Tobago: Exploring a Novel Dichotomy of Antibiotic Laws. Antibiotics, 12(7). 1094. https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6382/12/7/1094
• George, C., & Stephens, C. (Nov 2023). An Examination of the Delivery of Nursing Care to Children with Cancer at the Wendy Fitzwilliam Paediatric Hospital [Supplemental material]. West Indies Medical Journal, 70(Suppl. 3), 1-62. https://www.mona.uwi.edu/fms/wimj/system/files/article_pdfs/nhrc_2023_conference_proceedings.pdf
• Ram-Bhola, N., & Stephens, C. (2023). Accessibility of Primary Health Care Services in Rural Areas in the South West Regional Health Authority [Supplemental material]. West Indies Medical Journal, 70(Suppl. 3), 1-62. https://www.mona.uwi.edu/fms/wimj/system/files/article_pdfs/nhrc_2023_conference_proceedings.pdf
• Mycoo, R., & Stephens, C. (2023). A Pilot Study: Turnaround Time for Laboratory Specimens in the Biochemistry Department at San Fernando General Hospital [Supplemental material]. West Indies Medical Journal, 70(Suppl. 3), 1-62. https://www.mona.uwi.edu/fms/wimj/system/files/article_pdfs/nhrc_2023_conference_proceedings.pdf
• Nagassar, R., & Carrington, A. (2022, Nov, 25). Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices to Antibiotic Dispensing Amongst Pharmacists in Trinidad and Tobago [Poster Presentation]. Third Annual National Health Research Conference, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad.
• Francis, D. A., & Glasgow, S. (2022, Nov, 25). Barriers to Employment among Persons with Disabilities in Trinidad and Tobago [Poster presentation]. Third Annual National Health Research Conference, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad.
• Lewis, K., & Glasgow, S. (2022, Nov, 25). The Role of Mental Illness in Contributing to Homelessness in Trinidad and Tobago [Conference session]. Third Annual National Health Research Conference, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad.
• Hunte, S. A., Pierre, K., Rose, R. S., & Simeon, D. T. (2020). Health Systems’ Resilience: COVID-19 Response in Trinidad and Tobago. The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 103(2), 590. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7410471/pdf/tpmd200561.pdf
• Jackman, C., Bolastig, E. V., & Pierre, K. (2018). Unshackling the Health Poverty Nexus towards Equitable Health Policy Development in Eastern Trinidad [Poster presentation]. UTT's Inaugural Research Symposium.
• Carrington, A. (2018). An Investigation of the Ambient Air and Noise Quality of Urban Schools within San Fernando [Poster presentation]. UTT's Inaugural Research Symposium.
• Stephens, C., & Pierre, K. (2018). Assessment of the Health and Wellness of Special Needs Persons in Trinidad and Tobago [Poster presentation]. UTT's Inaugural Research Symposium.

National and International Research Collaborations

• UTT, HSHA, represented by Ms. A. Carrington, participated as a member of the participatory workshop and tabletop sessions for the Trinidad and Tobago Evidence Ecosystem Assessment. These meetings will inform the study entitled, “Assessment of the Evidence Ecosystem in Trinidad and Tobago: A Pilot Study of the WHO Checklist to Institutionalise Evidence-Informed Policymaking”. The findings were presented on May 21st, 2025, at the event “Strengthening Health Policy: Institutionalising Evidence-Informed Decision-Making for Health Policy Development” held alongside the World Health Assembly in Geneva. This session, which featured lessons from Trinidad and Tobago, Tajikistan, Thailand, and South Africa, highlighted the potential of the WHO checklist to support institutionalising EIDM and strengthen national policy capacity. Following this, a national working committee of which A. Carrington is a member, was established to action the study’s recommendations. This committee will be spearheaded by the Ministry of Health’s Health Policy Planning and Research Directorate.
• UTT, HSHA, represented by Glasgow, S. has been a member of the Planning Committee and specifically the Scientific Review Committee of the National Health Research Conference (NHRC) from 2021 to the present time. The Conference was established to share research findings with key stakeholders; to strengthen the national health research culture; to build research capacity and nurture junior researchers; to foster collaboration among researchers at different institutions and to share policy-relevant messages with the users of research, that is, care providers, policymakers and planners. Other collaborators include the Ministry of Health; the Tobago House of Assembly (THA); the Faculty of Medical Sciences and the Caribbean Centre for Health Systems Research and Development (CCHSRD), The University of the West Indies (U.W.I.).; The University of the Southern Caribbean (U.S.C.); the Regional Health Authorities; and the Trinidad and Tobago National Nursing Association (TTNNA).
• UTT, HSHA, represented by Glasgow, S. was one of the stakeholders among others in academia and across the health sector, invited to consult in the development of the country's 1st National Health Research Agenda (NHRA) in 2024. The development of T&T’s NHRA was led by the CCHRSD but accomplished through the collaborative work of stakeholders in health including the Ministry of Health, the THA, Regional Health Authorities, locally based universities, professional associations, and civil society organisations.

• A member of the Unit’s faculty collaborated with the CCHRSD and the American University of Beirut (AUB) in 2023 to develop a Knowledge to Policy Product via a fellowship programme. The output was an Evidence Brief for Policy: A Knowledge to Policy Product entitled ‘Strengthening Nursing Retention and Midwifery in the Public Healthcare System: A Human Resources for Health Imperative.’

Ongoing or Completed PhD studies

Completed

• An Exploration of the Factors Affecting the Adoption and Implementation of Quality Management Systems at the North West Regional Health Authority in Trinidad and Tobago (Richardson-Sheppard, C., 2023). Supervisor: Dr K. Pierre.
• A Mixed-Method Quasi-Experimental Design: The Effect of Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Management Interventions on Stock Levels (St Rose, R., 2024). Supervisor: Dr S. Glasgow
• Barriers to Employment among Persons with Disabilities in Trinidad and Tobago (Francis, D. A., 2024). Supervisor: Dr S. Glasgow
• The Role of Mental Illness in Contributing to Homelessness in Trinidad and Tobago (Lewis, K., 2024). Supervisor: Dr S. Glasgow

Ongoing

• Establishing Population-Based Reference Ranges for the Complete Blood Count Profile for the Adult Population Served by the South West Regional Health Authority (Ramsubhag, K., submitted for examination). Supervisor: Dr S. Glasgow
• Access to Assistive Therapies for Children with Developmental Disabilities in Trinidad & Tobago (Stephens, C.). Supervisor: Dr K. Pierre
• The Reality of New Graduate Registered Nurses’ Experiences in Trinidad and Tobago: Competence and Confidence for Practice (Tobas Jones Charles, J.). Supervisor: Dr K Pierre
• Building Health System Resilience in Trinidad and Tobago: Addressing Leadership Governance and Human Resource Capacity Challenges in Disaster Management (Carrington, A.). Supervisor: K. Pierre

Ongoing Research Projects involving Postgraduate Students (MHA/MHA-HS)

• Adopting a National Health Services Accreditation Programme in Trinidad and Tobago: A Scoping Review and Key Informant Analysis (Persad, A.). Supervisor: Ms. A. Carrington
• Perceptions of Adult Cancer Patients in relation to Oral Chemotherapy Adherence in Tobago (Hackett, K.). Supervisor: Dr S. Glasgow
• An Assessment of the Role of District Health Visitors (DHV) in the Management of Primary Health Care Services in Trinidad and Tobago (Ramdhan-Seepersad, T.). Supervisor: Dr S. Glasgow
• A Study to Assess Whether the Implementation of a Laboratory Information System (LIS) at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex (EWMSC) has Enhanced the Quality of the Diagnostic Laboratory’s reporting (Mohammed, W., submitted for examination). Supervisor: Ms. C. Stephens
• Contributing Factors of Aggression and Violence Among Patients and Staff Towards One Another (Bourne, L.). Supervisor: Ms. C. Hutson
• A Review of the Sample Reception and Handling Process at the Port of Spain General Hospital in Trinidad and Tobago: A Lean Six-Sigma Approach (James, S.). Supervisor: Dr S. Glasgow
• Factors Affecting the Initiation of Breastfeeding by Nurses and Midwives at the Mt Hope Women’s Hospital (Wilson-Hall, H.). Supervisor: Ms. A. Carrington
• Factors Affecting Retention of Pharmacists with the Eastern Regional Health Authority (Stephens, K.). Supervisor: Ms. A. Carrington
• Perceived Communication Barriers between Doctors and Nurses on the Adult Medical wards of the Port of Spain General Hospital (Dyer-Campbell, D.).  Supervisor: Dr S. Glasgow
• Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Safe Disposal of Sharps Medical Waste among Registered Nurses at the San Fernando Hospital, Trinidad (Thomas, S.). Supervisor: Dr S Glasgow
• A Mixed Methods Study Investigating Job Satisfaction in House Officers in a Public-Sector Hospital (Oji, J.). Supervisor: Dr S. Glasgow
• Factors Contributing to Registered Nurses at the San Fernando General and Teaching Hospitals’ Intentions to Migrate (Changsue-Williams, M.). Supervisor: Ms. A. Carrington
• Assessing the Perceptions of HIV/AIDS Patients about Discrimination Experienced at the Infection Disease Clinic Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex (Edwards, M.). Supervisor: Ms. C. Stephens
• A Case Study on the Mental Health Impacts of 13-Hour-Shifts on Nurses at a Private Hospital (Latchman, V.). Supervisor: Dr S. Glasgow
• A Mixed Methods Study of the Barriers and Facilitators to Using an Electronic Health Records System by Registered Nurses in the Accident and Emergency Departments within the South West Regional Health Authority (Sirju-Mahabir, T). Supervisor: Dr S. Glasgow
• Factors Associated with Absenteeism Among Registered Nurses at the Scarborough General Hospital (Baptiste, B.). Supervisor: Dr S. Glasgow
• Registered Nurses' Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Continuous Professional Development within the Sangre Grande Hospital (Thomas-Marcus, L.). Supervisor: Dr L. Mohammed
• Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Parents Towards the Healthy Eating Practices of their Children (Lewis, S.). Supervisor: Dr L. Mohammed
• A Chart Review of Socioeconomic Factors Influencing Tuberculosis Treatment Adherence in Trinidad and Tobago from 1st January 2021 to 30th June 2021 (Trotman, M.). Supervisor: Ms. C. Stephens

Awards

• Conference Delegates’ Choice - Best Poster in 2023 NHRC: Corey George & Carol-Anne Stephens. An Examination of the Delivery of Nursing Care to Children with Cancer at the Wendy Fitzwilliam Paediatric Hospital.

Community-Based Research or Industry-Partnered Projects
N/A

Upcoming Research Events, Calls for Proposals, or Public Engagement Activities

• The Ministry of Health; THA; Faculty of Medical Sciences & the CCHSRD, The U.W.I.; UTT; The USC; the Regional Health Authorities; and the TTNNA are collaborating to host the country’s Sixth Annual NHRC. The Theme for the 2025 Conference is “Climate Change: Impacts on Public Health. UTT is being represented in the collaboration by Dr S. Glasgow who is the Co-Chair of the Conference’s Planning Committee. The deadline for the Call for Abstracts is June 30, 2025 and four (4) students from the HSHA are expected to submit abstracts to the Conference this year.