International Development through Volunteer Work for a Community

Health Project in Cameroon: A Case Study

Hawaii International Conference on Education

14th Annual ConferenceJanuary 3-6, 2016Honolulu, Hawaii

David L. BrooksAssociate Professor, English Language Department

Kitasato University, Japan

OverviewOverview of the Communityof the Community HealthHealth Project in Rural CameroonProject in Rural Cameroon

Glimpse of rural life in CameroonOutline of the Community Health

Project goals– The work of Phyllis Jansyn

Health and livelihood issues in rural Cameroon

The workload and satisfactions of community volunteers

Maps of CameroonMaps of Cameroon

Djohong is located 160km from the provincial capital of N’Gaoundere and 90km from Meiganga.

Community Health Project Community Health Project in Rural Cameroonin Rural CameroonGoals of the project:

– Reduce prevalence of parasitic diseases

– Medical treatment and health education

– Building spring boxes to protect water

– Building sanitary village latrines

Health Risks from Health Risks from Parasitic InfectionsParasitic Infections

• Intestinal parasitic infections of humans are important threats to healthy living in developing countries.

• The environment and the socio-cultural habits of the people could be attributable for the high prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in the developing countries.

Causes of Death in Djohong Causes of Death in Djohong DistrictDistrict

AscariasisAscariasis is a disease caused by is a disease caused by the parasitic roundworm.the parasitic roundworm.

Infections have no symptoms in more than 85% of cases, especially if the number of worms is small. Symptoms increase with the number of worms present and may include shortness of breath and fever in the beginning of the disease. These may be followed by symptoms of abdominal swelling, abdominal pain and diarrhea.

Children are most commonly affected, and in this age group the infection may also cause poor weight gain, malnutrition and learning problems.

Incidence of parasitic infectionsIncidence of parasitic infections• The most prevalent intestinal parasite in this area was

roundworm, Ascaris lumbricoides (51.4%), followed by hookworm (32.4%), and whipworm, Trichuris trichiura (10.8%) while the least was Entamoeba histolytica (5.4%), an anaerobic protozoan .

• Roundworm, Ascaris lumbricoides, was the most prevalent parasite among the male (52.4%) and female (50%) patients while hookworm infection was observed more in female (37.5%).

• More males (14.3%) were infected with Trichuris trichiura while similar prevalence of Entamoeba histolytica (4.7%) was observed in both sexes.

• Effective treatment of infected patients and improved sanitary habits are advocated.

Intestinal Parasites dealt with Intestinal Parasites dealt with in Djohong, Cameroonin Djohong, Cameroon

Parasite Name

Common Name

Description and Etiology

 Ankylostome

 hook worm

The eggs of ankylostoma are found in the stool of infected persons. When the infected person defecates on the ground, the eggs develop into larvae, which stay alive for two weeks to two months in the soil. The larvae penetrate the skin and infect people who walk barefoot or who work the soil with bare hands. Ankylostomaise causes coughing, skin rash, diarrhea, and anemia which is sometimes severe.

 Ascaris

 round worm

The eggs in the stool of infected persons are ingested by other from contaminated food and water. Ascardiasis causes intestinal problems, pneumonia-like symptoms, and convulsions. Seventy to ninety people in a hundred in tropical regions are infected, according to Gentilini and Duffo, (1986). However, the HIH team found much less incidence.

Anguillulose (similar to hook worm)

Anguillulose is very much like ankylostome and is transmitted through the skin. It causes diarrhea or alternating diarrhea and constipation.

Intestinal Parasites dealt Intestinal Parasites dealt with in Djohongwith in Djohong

 Trechocephale

 

whip wormIt is found in many areas of the world. It does not cause severe symptoms, but sometimes causes diarrhea and abdominal pain. It destroys blood cells, but less so than ankylostome. People are infected by ingesting the parasite’s eggs with their food.

 Oxyure

 

pin wormEggs are passed directly from the anus to the mouth or to food by unwashed hands. It causes severe itching and discomfort. In rare cases, the oxyure travel up the vagina and occlude the fallopian tubes, causing sterility.

 

Taenia Saginata

beef tape worm

It is contracted by eating raw or poorly cooked beef. Then the infected person defecates on the grass, which the cattle ten eat and more cattle become infected. It can cause headache, convulsions, and death.

 

Schistome Mansoni

 

intestinal schistoso-miase

The parasite is contracted by standing, sitting or swimming in contaminated bodies of water. A particular snail is the intermediate host. The larvae released by the snail penetrate the human skins. Infected people defecate near the water and more snails become infected. After some time, infected persons, who are not treated, will die of cirrhoses of the lives and intestinal hemorrhage.

Intestinal Parasites dealt Intestinal Parasites dealt with in Djohongwith in Djohong

 Amebiasis 

amoebic dysentery, caused primarily by the amoeba Entamoeba histolytica.

It is contracted by drinking water or eating food contaminated by the feces of infected persons. It causes diarrhea and in the very young and frail, dysentery, an inflammation of the intestine causing diarrhea with blood, which often results in death. In rare cases, it causes liver abscess.

 

Giardiaa genus of anaerobic flagellated protozoan parasites of phylum Sarcomastigophora

It is transmitted by infected human feces. It causes abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea.

 

Intestinal Trichomonas

a distinctive flagellate trophozoite with two nuclei and an adhesive disk

Fecal-oral transmission can occur via drinking water and may be a problem wherever sanitation is poor. The people that were found with this parasite complain of abdominal pain and diarrhea. The intestinal trichomonas organism is somewhat different from that of vaginal trichomonas.

Djohong Project GoalsDjohong Project GoalsHealth counseling and

preventionReduce infection by intestinal

parasitesEstablishing sources of clean

drinking water Providing infant health careSanitary waste disposal

Putting our Efforts into Action..

Volunteers from the USA, Europe, Asia and elsewhere joined the project as community health workers for a two-week period, four times a year

Research MethodsResearch Methods and Objectives and Objectives

Providing for a source of clean water was a priority.

– It is vital for subsistence of the villagers.

Giving regular health checks, counseling, and help to fight common diseases and health problems – Parasites are a significant concern.

Building sanitary pit latrines Reducing incidence of common

parasitic diseases can be achieved

Health CounselingHealth Counseling and Prevention and Prevention

Mother & Infant healthcare Teaching sanitation to villagers Treatment of intestinal parasites Keeping villager health records

FOR MORE INFO...

Sometimes the unexpected happens. The real rewards are not overshadowed by any accident because purpose and effort bring progress – at times, even joy!

Improving Health of VillagersImproving Health of Villagers• Good health is the first

step toward development, and development is the first step toward larger and more global concerns.

• However, basic health and sanitation concerns are still not adequate in many parts of the world, and in particular, they pose a challenge for adequate healthy living standards in the West African nation of Cameroon.

•

• Without clean water, safe disposal of human waste, and improved hygiene habits of its local village people, the reduction in the percentage of people infected with intestinal parasites will not last once the project ends.

Volunteers’ Daily TasksVolunteers’ Daily Tasks

Maintaining the camp Cooking meals Boil water and filling canteens Clean up after meals Study sessions on local languages,

customs, way of life, research tasks Organizing village health records Participate in community health team work

to a local village– etc…

Volunteer Work and Travel Itinerary for Trip to Djohong

Volunteer Work and Travel Itinerary for Trip to Djohong, CameroonFriday, Dec.29 Arrive by train in Ngaoundéré,

Cameroon, briefingSaturday, Dec. 30 Land Cruiser drive to Djohong, visits to locals

Sunday, Dec. 31 Orientation classes for volunteers Monday, Jan. 1 La fête – New Year’s festivities by villagers

Tuesday, Jan. 2 Alim (driver) takes Stella,photojournalist and Bah-iya to Bandai village; more classes, preparation

Wednesday, Jan. 3 Project Team to Gbin Dana village (6-hour trip on rough bush path)

Thursday, Jan. 4 Do health project work at Gbin Dana

Friday, Jan. 5 Do health project work at Gbin Dana

Saturday, Jan. 6 Return journey to Djohong ( 6-hour trip)

Sunday, Jan. 7 Processing health records, organize for return home

Monday, Jan. 8 Depart Djohong by Land Cruiser for Ngaoundéré

Tuesday, Jan. 9 Leave by train for Yaounde, and then by plane to Douala

Wednesday, Jan. 10 Fly from Douala to Paris Thursday, Jan. 11 Fly from Paris to Tokyo

Field Training and Assignments Field Training and Assignments for Volunteersfor Volunteers

Walking lectures for field trainingFamiliarization with duty assignments

– Examining villagers, keeping health records, assist lab technician in examining specimens

– dispensing and collecting health forms, giving out vitamins, medicines, and compiling data

Orientation classes on volunteer duties, explanation of various village cultures,

visits to village chief & village officers

Application of the Djohong Application of the Djohong Project ResultsProject Results

-Increased awareness of the seriousness of intestinal parasite and preventative measures

-Showed effectiveness of community action in improving villager health

-Mutual understanding is fostered in overcoming differences in cultures and bridging cross-cultural barriers

Commitment to Continuing the Commitment to Continuing the Djohong ProjectDjohong Project

“Nothing can substitute for the sheer joy and satisfaction one receives from having participated in the Djohong Project.”

We welcome you to the uniquely beautiful

plateau of Djohong, to the land of sociable people

Global Community of LearnersGlobal Community of Learners

Generating compassion and empathy through advocacy and volunteer activities

Web Community for Global ActionWeb Community for Global Action

Internet Resources for Global Issues, Education & Research

Advocacy, Activism and Volunteer Activities

ActionAction

Thank youThank you for for attendingattending

International Development through Volunteer Work for a Community Health Project in Cameroon: A Case Study

David L. Brooks Kitasato University, Sagamihara, Japan d.brooks@yahoo.com