Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #105562

Kelli M. Donley, MPH, Esperanca, 1911 W. Earll Dr., Phoenix, AZ 85015, 602-252-7772 x.111, kelli@esperanca.org

Background: Sofala Province in central Mozambique is a pitre dish for infectious disease. Malaria and cholera are endemic. The WHO estimates 26% HIV/AIDS seroprevalence for those living in or near the capital, Beira. The average lifespan in Mozambique is 37 years. Prior to establishing a multitiered community health outreach program, a survey was conducted to determine perceived health issues and needs. Methods: A volunteer force of “activistas” walked door to door in four outlying villages. For three months, activistas met with family members in their homes to gather data for the 46-question qualitative and quantitative survey. Health questions concentrated on three areas: HIV/AIDS, cholera and malaria. Results: Volunteers spoke with 389 families (n=389). Of those who participated, 81.5% said they drank tap or well water; 26.1% said they treated this water with chlorine before consumption. Some 60.1% said they use a latrine in lieu of bushes (24.3%), but 46.7% had no soap in the home; 26.6% responded they use no barrier to protect themselves from malaria. In relation to HIV/AIDS, 79.1% of participants said they get their information about the disease from the radio. When asked if AIDS is caused by having unprotected sex, 74.2% said yes. Discussion: This basic survey was created to better understand the recognized health needs of participants in a community health program. Health programming targeting the treatment of drinking water, use of mosquito nets and transmission routes of HIV/AIDS is necessary.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize the need for such an evaluation prior to communinity health programming development
• Analyze the perceived health needs reported
• Describe the health programming designed in result
• Discuss how to improve understanding of infectious disease transmission education and prevention in this population

Keywords: Infectious Diseases, International Public Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.