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Caribbean countries are experiencing an increase in chronic non-communicable diseases. Morbidity and mortality data indicates that chronic non communicable diseases such as cardiovascular diseases are leading causes of death in the adult population. While data on the prevalence of risk factors for cardiovascular disease in most Caribbean are limited, epidemiological studies suggest that anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL) are an important risk factor for thromboembolic diseases and poor pregnancy outcomes in some populations. aCL are strongly associated with recurrent arterial and venous thrombosis in young women. This book presents findings of a study that examined the seroprevalence of aCL, if aCL are an independent risk factor for thromboembolic disease in young Jamaican women and their effects on pregnancy outcome among primipararous women. Findings of this study should be useful to medical practitioners in identifying risk factors for thromboembolic disease and pregnancy complications. Reduction of the risk for thromboembolic disease and ultimately reduction in morbidity and mortality due to cardiovascular disease depends on identification and control of risk factors.

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Eulalia Kahwa PhD, RN. Graduated from the University of the West Indies with a Bachelor of Science Nursing degree in 1992 and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Nutrition in 2003. Currently, she is a lecturer at the UWI School of Nursing, Mona where she teaches both in undergraduate and graduate programs.

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