Becari Language School

August 31st is San Ramón Day in Oaxaca. Dogs, cats, parrots, birds, they all go to the church of “La Merced” dress up to get the blessing from the priest. Do not miss this celebration!

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The Stanford group of students took classes at Becari and did a very interesting project with Centro de Esperanza Infantil. Below is their report.

Stanford Group Service Project- Summer 2009

Centro de Esperanza Infantil

Client Health Status Survey and Report

Overview

During the Summer of 2009, the Stanford University Community Health in Oaxaca Program collaborated with the Centro de Esperanza Infantil (CEI) to carry out an assessment of preventive health habits among the Center’s clients, and to provide appropriate health education counseling.

Project description

Between July 29^th and August 20^th, a total of 14 Stanford undergraduate students worked in teams of 4-5 to perform the following tasks at CEI:

• Collected basic household information;
• Measured height and weight;
• Administered the Staying Healthy Questionnaire;
• Offered health education counseling and resources as needed, according to the responses given;
• Provided all participating clients a toothbrush, toothpaste, and dental floss when available;
• Offered soap, shampoo and children’s vitamins (with proper instructions) to some families, as needed;
• Entered client data into a master spreadsheet; and
• Filed the Staying Healthy Assessment in the respective client chart.

Stanford program faculty assisted in the design of the project and in administering assessments; provided consultation as needed; and coordinated data collection and analysis.  Am independent British medical student in Oaxaca also assisted with the project.

Findings

A total of 422 children (more than 70% of the CEI clientele) participated in the project.  The average age of the participants was 11.9 years old, and the great majority of the children responded directly to the questionnaire themselves.

• Demographic findings:
  • On average, the children lived in houses with more than 6 residents.  The highest number people in one household was 15.
  • The majority of the parents had migrated to the city from other parts of Oaxaca.
  • 46% of the children (and their parents, when present) reported speaking only Spanish in the home. Other languages used in the home included:
    • Triqui (23%)
    • Mixteco (14%)
    • Zapoteco (14%)
    • One or two families spoke each of the following languages at home:  Ohimanteco, Chontal, Cuecateco, Chatino, and Mixe
    • Over 33% of the children have a relative who has moved to another part of Mexico or to another country.  Among these, the target destinations within Mexico included Mexico City, Veracruz, Puebla, Tijuana, Guadalajara and Mexicali.  Those who knew the whereabouts of their family members in the United States reported that they were in California, Oregon, Colorado, Washington, New York, Arizona, Indiana, New Mexico, Massachusetts and Nevada.

Height and weight measurements indicated that among those surveys, 28% of the children were overweight or obese and 12% of children were underweight.  Both extremes may correlate with malnourishment, which can impact growth as well as overall health.

Basic analysis of self-reported health habits suggests the following:

• The children who participated generally had good health habits and understood why these habits were important.  Parents who were present generally confirmed their child’s report:
  • 96% reported washing their hands with soap after using the bathroom, before meals, and after playing with animals,
  • 95% reported drinking only purified water; and
  • 95% reported that they are up to date on required vaccinations.
• Oral health was an area of some concern:
  • While 91% of children reported having their own toothbrush, only 88% reported brushing their teeth daily; and
  • Twenty-seven percent (27%) of children reported never having visited a dentist.
• Risks associated with second-hand smoke exposure were high, as 26% of children reported that someone in their household smokes.
• Virtually all families have a regular source of health care in their community; the vast majority of families use the local Centro de Salud and a certain number cited the local pharmacy as their primary health care provider.
• Access to diverse and healthful food supplies is quite limited.  Many children reported going without meals on a daily basis.
• Most parents describe their children as being in good health, though there are many who have questions and concerns as well.
• CEI clients and their families are most interested in the following class/workshop topics:
  • Nutrition and exercise
  • Child development
  • Sexual and reproductive health
    • Sexually transmitted diseases
    • Family planning/birth control
    • Abortion
    • Oral health
    • Diabetes
    • Cancer
    • General anatomy
    • Influenza
    • Mental health
    • Drug addiction (including tobacco)
    • Domestic violence