I will be providing a short summary and comment on Felipe Jaramillo's and Yun Chao Chen’s and Patricia's and Rocco's presentation. Both presentations focus on health related issues, the Chikungunya fever and dental health, respectively.
A. Felipe Jaramillo's and Yun Chao Chen’s presentation on the Chikungunya Fever
Summary of the disease:
Chikungunya is a viral disease transmitted by a mosquito. The disease is believed to be endemic to a country in Africa and has been transported to the Americans through infected travelers in 2013. Chikungunya causes severe fever and joint pain. Unfortunately, there's no vaccine or other types of treatment for Chikungunya Fever. The only way one can protect self is by taking preventative measures, including applying insect repellents and covering the skin as much as possible.
Unlike dengue and malaria, the chikungunya spreading mosquito can bite during the day, increasing one's risk of getting infected. Consequently, it's very important for one to take preventative measures, as chikungunya can be fetal if one's immune system is already compromised.
Comment on the presentation:
Although I am familiar with mosquito-transmitted diseases such as malaria and denge, this is my first time learning about the Chikungunya Fever. I thought the presentation was very well put and presented. Felipe and Yun did a great job introducing the disease and the further complications the disease can cause if it gets out of hand. Considering that about half of Nicaragua's economy depends on agriculture, I think it's critical for Nicaraguans to be informed about Chikungunya. To increase awareness, Felipe and Yun produced a reader friendly and informative poster (shown above).
B. Patricia's and Rocco's presentation on dental health
Patricia's and Rocco's presentation is one that surprised me the most. Patricia and Rocco studied about dental health and the various issues concerning dental hygiene in Nicaragua. From the research papers they have read and personal interviews they have conducted, they were able to reach a conclusion: dental health in Nicaragua is a concerning issue not because of the shortage of toothbrushes and toothpastes, but is rather due to the lack of motivation to brush teeth (common among all children around the world, actually). To help fix this issue, Rocco and Patricia designed a toothbrush holder (see below).
The tooth brush holder can be created and painted by the children, which Patricia and Rocco believe will give the children a sense of responsibility and ownership. Additionally, the toothbrush holder can hold multiple tooth brushes--designed to allow and encourage the whole family to participate in this initiative.
I thought Patricia's and Rocco's presentation was great. Their idea and implementation of such a creative solution is admirable. Although the toothbrush holder might not eliminate the problem of dental health in Nicaragua, it will definitely increase awareness and excitement about dental hygiene. I hope to follow up with Patricia and Rocco and learn about their directions in the future.