The current COVID-19 pandemic has shifted the focus of health promotion and health education strategies of healthcare policymakers from primary healthcare programmes to COVID-19 prevention and mitigation. This research was done to determine if Social Isolation influences the Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) screening habits of Jamaicans during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Dr. Paul Andrew Bourne is a distinguished academic, researcher, and public health expert, renowned for his contributions across multiple fields, including social epidemiology, health demography, applied statistics, leadership, public affairs commentary, poetry, and public speaking. His extensive research portfolio includes over 200 scholarly papers, with notable work such as his study on domestic violence against Jamaican women during the COVID-19 pandemic, which was prominently hosted on the World Health Organization’s website. Dr. Bourne’s dedication to academic excellence is reflected in his impressive educational background. He earned his Doctorate in Public Health (DrPH) from Atlantic International University in April 2024, focusing on the impact of social media usage on the mental health of Jamaicans. In addition, he completed a PhD in Education with a specialization in Leadership at Northern Caribbean University in 2023, examining leadership styles as social determinants of health in religious organizations. He also holds a Master of Science in Demography from the University of the West Indies (2007) and a Bachelor of Science in Demography from the same institution (2004), along with a diploma in Teaching from the University of Technology, Jamaica (1999). Throughout his career, Dr. Bourne has received several academic awards, including Graduate Teaching Assistantships at the University of the West Indies and Northern Caribbean University, as well as a Staff Development Scholarship and the Dr. Byron Robinson Scholarship at Northern Caribbean University. A recognized thought leader in his field, Dr. Bourne is a member of esteemed organizations such as the SAS Eminent Fellow Membership (SEFM), the Scholars Academic and Scientific Society (FSAS), and The Jamaica Statistical Society (JSS). His influence extends beyond academia, as he actively participates in community outreach, media commentary, and conferences, consistently striving to make meaningful contributions to public health and societal well-being. In addition to his academic and professional achievements, Dr. Bourne is also an accomplished poet and public speaker, sharing his knowledge and passion for social issues with diverse audiences. His work continues to shape the fields of public health, leadership, and community development. Reference: Social Isolation during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic and its Influence on the Sexual Transmitted Infections (STIs) Screening Habits and Status of Jamaicans The current COVID-19 pandemic has shifted the focus of health promotion and health education strategies of healthcare policymakers from primary healthcare programmes to COVID-19 prevention and mitigation. This research was done to determine if Social Isolation influences the Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) screening habits of Jamaicans during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Objectives 1. To examine the relationship between social isolation due to the COVID-19 Pandemic and the Sexually Transmitted Infections screening rates of Jamaicans. 2. To know if Jamaicans are at risk for Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) transmission during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Methods and Materials: An online cross-sectional survey was used to evaluate the influence of social isolation due to COVID-19 on Sexual Transmitted Infections (STIs) screening rates of Jamaicans 458 respondents participated in the online survey who were selected randomly with ages ranging from 18 years of age to greater than 65 years of age. The data was entered into the IBM SPSS software for statistical analysis, including descriptive statistics, correlations, cross-tabulation, and chi-square testing. Findings: At a class interval of 95% using a two-tailed significance, there is a correlation between sexual activity and condom use. As sexual activity increases(r=1), the use of condoms decreases(r=-509). Most sample respondents (55.90%) choose to practice social isolation, 37.12% choose to do so sometimes, and 6.9% decide not to do So. Conclusion: There is a weak relationship between social isolation and STI testing, as evidenced by people stating that they are still getting screened even though they are in isolation.