Category: Summer 2022

From Raleigh to Paris: Promoting Maternal and Child Health

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Amina
Amina

I start my mornings by opening my laptop and heading to Zoom. Ready to meet with my team in Paris from my desk in Raleigh.

I am completing my practicum with a team from UNC and the École des Hautes Etudes en Santé Publique (School of Advanced Studies in Public Health). Together, we are working on a qualitative sub-study based in a semi-rural area of Benin. This project branched from a previous randomized-control trial in Benin, comparing the efficacy of two prophylaxis options for pregnant women. Additionally, previous work from the team revealed a high prevalence of anemia among pregnant women in their second and third trimesters. These studies raised several questions regarding iron supplementation efforts in this population, especially as iron deficiency is the leading cause of anemia. There is a gap in the literature on effective iron supplementation methods in malaria-endemic areas, especially as the WHO recommends conducting parallel efforts in malaria and anemia prevention in these areas.

This summer, I am analyzing interview transcripts from women in Benin on their experiences with malaria, anemia, and helminth infections. The project has three main goals: (1) to identify women’s knowledge and perceptions of anemia and iron supplementation for themselves and their children, (2) to examine factors that impact adherence to iron supplementation, and (3) to identify potential strategies for iron supplementation in Benin. I am currently developing a codebook before jumping into the analysis and producing a summary report.

With this practicum, I am working to continue to develop my qualitative analysis skills and explore maternal health challenges in sub-Saharan Africa. Additionally, I am excited to learn from the team of researchers I am partnered with at both UNC and the École des Hautes Etudes en Santé Publique (remotely). Overall, I am looking forward to deepening my understanding of structural and social factors that impact adherence to treatment plans and health promotion. I am excited to see where the next few weeks take me!

-Amina

 

SECOND GO ROUND!

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Nija
Nija

Hello, my name is Nija Newton, an incoming second-year student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill obtaining a Master’s in Public Health with a concentration in Maternal, Child, and Family Health. This summer my practicum is with The Durham County Department of Public Health (DCoDPH), working with the population health division on the 2023 Community Health Assessment (CHA). This is my second time here at DCoDPH, the first time I interned here was back in 2020 right before COVID-19 was in full affect and I worked on a project for Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention, informing adolescents on contraception. The purpose of the CHA is to guide decision-making, programs, and policies so that all people of Durham have equitable opportunities for safety and good physical, mental and social health. My job working with the CHA team is to focus on the survey that is going to be distributed to Durham County to collect all the data that is going to be put into the 2023 CHA. I will also be creating a data reference document on Durham County’s health determinants for the health department to use at their leisure to better assist them with easily accessing resources and providing them to the public. Lastly, since a collogue and I are the first group of interns for population health and working on the CHA, I will be creating a training curriculum for future interns. The training will give interns a sense of the internship, what to expect, the expectations, and how to perform effectively. My goals are to gain skills and create lines of connection. It has only been a few weeks and I have fell in love and was welcomed in with open arms. I can’t wait to see what the near future holds during my time here at DCoDPH.

-Nija

Cleaner Air, Better Life

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Seowoo
Seowoo

When I first joined MPH program, I did have a pretty specific area of interest. Through my clinical experience in the past, I wanted to focus more on the non-communicable diseases. Specifically, I wanted to work to reduce cardiovascular health disparities that are disproportionately affecting certain populations. However, a year of studying at Gillings made me feel a bit less clear about what I hope to do in the future, but in a good way!! Throughout the courses and from the peers, I was able to learn about many different public health issues that have not paid attention to. All the issues were important, and I wanted to know more about them. For this summer practicum, I will also be exploring the topic that I am not too familiar of. I am already very excited to see all the things I will be learning and gaining throughout!

For my practicum, I am currently working with the Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch (OEEB) in the Division of Public Health within the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). OEEB identifies and quantifies environmental and occupational hazards, conducts risk assessments, evaluates health effects, and provides health-based guidance relating to contaminants and health effects across the state. Among multiple projects the team is working on, I will be supporting DHHS contributions to the NC Clean Transportation Plan. The NC Clean Transportation Plan is being developed in response to Executive Order 246, “North Carolina’s Transformation to a Clean Equitable Economy”. Specifically, I will be working on a literature review about the health effects of transportation-related air pollutants, a short manuscript about the potential health benefits of implementing the NC Clean Transportation Plan, and a presentation to OEEB about the findings. To gain more insights and knowledge on environmental health, especially on air-pollution and climate change, I will be attending the Health Effects Institute Annual Conference and related virtual sessions. I may also assist with other related products or additional projects in OEEB, such as summaries of air pollution exposures associated with biogas or research to support environmental justice activities.

My goals for this practicum are to gain practical experience in a professional public health work environment, learn more about air pollutants and their impacts on health, and develop professional writing skills. I am also looking forward to participating in presentations and events that are relevant to environmental health and justice and engaging with public health practitioners from various sectors. Things are going great so far! Hope everyone else is having an amazing summer as well!

-Seowoo