Click here for a link about Iron Deficiency Anemia in Peru
(compliments of Phi-U–Gracias!)

Idaho State University’s Nutrition Department & the Department of Physician Assistant Studies is putting together a program to implement during the 2010 Peru expedition:

Food Safety and Nutrition Team

Title:  Combating food-borne disease through community-based nutrition and food safety interventions: An international evidence-based humanitarian service program.

Sponsoring Organizations: Idaho Condor Humanitarian Services, Idaho State University Department of Physician Assistant Studies, Idaho State University Department of Health and Nutrition Science.

Principle Investigator: Cathryn D. Erickson, Research Assistant, Department of Physician Assistant Studies, Idaho State University

Co PI’s:  Bernadette Howlett, M.S., PhD, Assistant Professor of Research, Idaho State University, Department of Physician Assistant Studies

Laura McKnight, MPH, RD, LD, Director of the Didactic Program in Dietetics and Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Health and Nutrition Science, Idaho State University.

Type: International evidence-based humanitarian service project.

Abstract:

“Food and waterborne diarrhoeal diseases are leading causes of illness and death in less developed countries, killing approximately 2.2 million people annually, an estimated 1.8 million of whom are children” (WHO, 2009, p.1).  Furthermore, greater than 20 percent of Peruvian children under the age of 5 are chronically undernourished; in remote rural areas, rates can reach up to 70 percent ^{(United Nations World Food Programme)}.  A community-based food safety intervention may provide part of the solution to these problems.  The purpose of this project is to assess current food safety needs, implement a community bases solution, and evaluate the effectiveness of the solution in a small community near Cuzco, Peru.  Cuzco was selected for this project because Idaho Condor Humanitarian Services sponsors a medical expedition to this community every year.  As such, connections with this community already exist. The program has five overarching goals: (1) evaluate the food safety needs in Cuzco and surrounding communities, (2) measure the impact of food safety problems, (3) establish a food safety program which can provide sustainable solutions, (4) develop a community-specific food safety education program, and (5) measure the effectiveness of the food safety program.  This project will occur in three phases.  In the first phase we will conduct a community needs assessment and develop a community-based disease prevention program related to foods safety and nutrition.  Pilot testing will occur in phase two which will involve implementation of the program and data collection.  Phase three will involve evaluation and continuation of the project based on data collected during phase two.   At this time, the intention is for phases one and two to occur during March of 2010 and March of 2011 respectively.  Phase three will begin in 2012 and hopefully continue thereafter. Preliminary results will be reported in the second and third years of the project.

Contact Information:

Cathryn Erickson
Research Assistant
Department of Physcian Assistant Studies
Idaho State University
martcath@isu.edu
(208) 890-4267

Bernadette Howlett, M.S., PhD
Assistant Professor of Research
Idaho State University
Department of Physician Assistant Studies
howlbern@isu.edu
(208) 282-3841

Laura McKnight, MPH, RD, LD,
Director of the Didactic Program in Dietetics and Clinical Associate Professor
Department of Health and Nutrition Science
Idaho State University
mcknlaur@isu.edu
(208) 282-2691

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“Click Here” to view the Project Goals.