Costa Rica and Nicaragua
Mission, 2007
The main foci of the Costa Rica and Nicaragua mission were infestations and infectious diseases. The goals of this project were to effectively treat as many patients as possible, educate, and implement prevention in the future. Common diseases, illnesses, and complications in Costa Rica and Nicaragua are as follows: Chagas disease; Leishmaniasis; Malaria; Dengue Fever; Diarrhea; Intestinal Parasites (both macroscopic and microscopic); Blood and Tissue Parasites; Parasitic Diseases of the Skin; Eye Diseases; Anemia; Hypertension; Diabetes; and Urinary Tract Infections. The following were practiced and studied:
• Blood pressure/pulse monitoring
• Diabetes screening with glucometer
• Patient interviews and triage
• Injections
• Basics of tropical medicine examination/diagnosis/prescription/prevention
• Parasitological examination/diagnosis/prescription/prevention
• Eye examination/refraction
• Prescription of eye glasses
• Dental cleanings/hygiene
• Identification of cavities, orthodontic problems and infections of the mouth
• Tooth extraction
• Tooth filling
• Community health surveying
• Dental, eye, and parasitic hygiene education presentations
• Basic pediatric ear/eye/nose/throat exam
• Hypertension and diabetes screening-house clinics
• Urinalysis testing
• Basic women’s health-diagnosing/treating vaginal infection, occasional fetal monitoring/observation of births
• Basics of pharmacy management and drug prescribing
• Practice and history of indigenous medical techniques and medicines
• Practice with suturing
