Update

This week has been gone by quickly. This week I worked in maternity, and I must say that it was an INTENSE experience. I worked with various patients in services including family planning, prenatal care, and post natal care.

I attended a church this week with a friend from the clinic, and the experience was absolutely amazing.

Last week the electricity went out almost everyday, thus impeding a lot of my revision process. This week I will finalize my IRB proposal, and finish my last set of clinical rotations in the HIV/AIDS testing and laboratory work. After this week, I will choose an area of service in which to implement my project.

New Clinic, New Research Plan, New Experiences

I travelled to northern Togo with Charlie and a few other students that are in Togo also. It is a very mountainous area. The people are incredibly congenial (they were always offering us beer!), and the experience living with no electricity and no toilets for a few days was, well, enlightening.

I met with the Director General of Health of Togo! He welcomed me, and approved of my research.

My project is taking somewhat of a new direction. My clinic location has changed from Aides Medicales Charite to Centre Medico Sociale d'Adidogome. It is a comprehensive clinic located in the quartier of Adidogome. The clinic offers services such as vaccinations, general health care, labor and delivery, HIV/AIDS testing and counseling, physical therapy, and child welfare. It also

has a laboratory on site. Each week for the rest of this month I will work in a different area garnering a full assessment of the clinic and its needs. After my assessment, I will then decide in which area I will want to implement my modified research plan. This week I worked in the vaccinations department. I learned a lot about the types of vaccinations given, vaccination initiatives present in the area, and protocols.

I have settled in very well with my host family! We are having a blast, especially me and my new «boyfriend »----the new baby!

This week I plan to move to the labor and delivery section as I continue to modify my research plan!

Arrival

June 1, 2008 --

I have arrived in Lome,Togo, and I am doing well!

I have done a number of activities such as eat some traditional foods and attend some traditional ceremonies. The French here is so heavy, it is difficult for me to send you this email in English as I have the urge to always speak, read, write, and think in French!

I am spending my time mainly revising my pre-research protocol and becoming more acquainted with the city.

I did have an unfortunate incident in Casablanca where some of my money was stolen, and I am trying to get some more from my parents. I was not hurt, but it is a huge inconvenience.