ACADEMIC FELLOWSHIP

Each year, the center will name and support an academic fellowship for a third-year NYCOM student. The following fellows and research are mentioned below.

2010
Dianna El-Neemany
Socioeconomic and cultural factors contributing to HIV transmission in Women in Belize
Belize has the highest prevalence of HIV in Latin America, and in the last few years, the incidence of HIV infections has been greater among women than men. Past efforts to promote HIV prevention through condom use and safe sex behaviors have been inadequate in addressing this trend due to the inequalities that exist in relationships between men and women. In this study, we intend to use semi-structured interviews to qualitatively collect data on the socioeconomic and cultural factors that contribute to the transmission of HIV. The topics for interview were derived from issues presented by the World Health Organization regarding sexual and reproductive health, particularly addressing partner selection and sexual risk taking. In several studies conducted in African countries facing a similar trend, gender inequalities and poverty play a large role in determining sexual behavior. Such studies are lacking in Belize and thus this study will provide a stepping stone for improving current HIV prevention programs in order to address the barriers that exist for women.


2009
Cheryl Dinglas
Mothers Providing Care
The Mothers Providing Care Program and its Effectiveness in Reducing Maternal Morbidity and Mortality in Ghana is an ongoing project that uses community health workers to screen for signs and symptoms of preeclampsia and postpartum hemorrhage. A research survey was completed in August 2009 yielding 596 surveys’ on the prevalence of these two disorders in the region. The statistical data revealed that as the mother had more years of education the odds ratio was decreased for post-partum hemorrhage to 0.629. We would therefore like to continue with the education programs for the community health workers If successful, the MPC program could provide an effective and low-cost preventative healthcare education and early intervention to a region deficient of skilled care. This project also looks at the reevaluation of the Mothers providing care manual and teaching onsite.

Vanessa Parisi
The effectiveness of simulation in global health fieldwork: Linking theoretical knowledge to practical experience
As global health studies become incorporated into medical education, through didactics, lecture series, and discussion, fieldwork opportunities are becoming a critical part of this curriculum. However, there is little evidence of preparatory training occurring before departure.  Since simulations have proven to be an effective tool for training medical professionals, a program that incorporates simulation on fieldwork scenarios is instrumental in linking theoretical knowledge to practical experience.  Cultural Taboos are addressed in hands on simulation with the help of professional actors.

Anna Mardakhayeva
Ghanaians school children’s attitudes and perceptions of hygiene and transmission of infectious diseases
The study investigates the current beliefs, body of knowledge and daily behavioral practices that school age children, ages 5-17 years, have regarding infectious diseases and hygiene. Early educational intervention can significantly improve children’s hygiene and health outcomes. Although attitudes, perceptions and behaviors concerning infectious disease have been investigated in adult populations, the literature available on children’s understanding of infectious causes and transmission is minimal. This year the School of Education at NYIT has collaborated with the Center for Global Health in creating a health education play “Anansi ‘s Web of Wonder” for school aged children regarding malaria prevention and general hygiene . It was presented in evening and day performances in the schools and at the clinic.  Follow up research will  estimate the effectiveness of this health-education program which occurred in June 2010.

2008
Hope Cohen-Webb
The interconnectedness of the world and the consequences of these connections has become a strong concern for many medical professionals-in-training.     In recent years, student interest in global health has increased dramatically.  Most students enter the medical field because of a deep-rooted desire to serve and alleviate suffering; an interest in global health is a natural extension of these ideals.  Awareness of global health is important because people in both developed and developing countries are affected by similar problems, though the magnitude of the effect may be different.    A Global health curriculum was designed to standardize the training and preparation of medical students prior to their departure for global health endeavors and addressed four components including public health, key concepts, cultural competency and medical preparedness.