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 Malaria, child mortality, maternal death, malnutrition, diarrhoeal and sexual diseases (incl. AIDS) are the main medical health problems in Senegal. Though Senegal has improved its citizen’s health care dramatically in certain areas over the years, there is much more to be done. Consider the following, in Senegal:
- 30 per cent of all child deaths are caused by malaria
(While only 7 per cent of children under 5 sleep under a treated mosquito net)
- Under-5 mortality rate (per 1000) is 116
- Of every 10,000 women who give birth to a child, 145 will die
- Almost one out of every five children under 5 is either moderately or severely malnourished
- Though low, roughly 0.8 percent, the HIV rate is increasing in Senegal
Many health and nutritional programs in Senegal are hampered by insufficient funds, a shortage of trained personnel and a lack of effective presence in rural villages. The Health Program in Peace Corps Senegal has been a key player in supplementing and providing assistance in rural villages for decades via educational outreach programs, latrine and well construction, funding women’s leadership trainings, school gardens, radio theater and much more. Recently, through inter-agency communication and coordination, Peace Corps Health program has taken a seat at the national table concerning bed-net distribution, prevention and treatment of malaria. The Health program aims to improve the health conditions and the environmental settings of Senegalese communities in order to have a positive impact on their standard of living.
What We Do
 The Health program has 30 Peace Corps Volunteers working creatively and effectively with host country nationals to combat the countries most serious illnesses and diseases. The following are examples of activities that Health volunteers are currently engaged in:
Life Skills Workshops/Causeries
Organize gatherings/conferences for young women and men to educate and improve communication skills, decision making, self-esteem, value of education, reproductive health, gender issues, STIs and HIV/AIDS, etc
Health Facility/School Lessons
Create lesson plans to educate and make aware students and/or mothers concerning an array of health issues; including diarrhoeal diseases, maternal and infant heath, malaria, etc.
Participate in Vaccinations/Baby Weighings
Communicate door to door to convince mothers that vaccinations and monthly baby weighings are crucial to their baby’s health.
Neem Lotion
Working with women’s groups to make Neem mosquito repellent lotion using local resources.
Radio Theatre
Create hour long ‘soap opera’ emissions (on average every two weeks) with health issues interwoven into the plot to target high volumes of Senegalese to listen and learn.
Latrine Construction
Strategically constructing latrines in villages to encourage sanitary practices, reduce water contamination and the spread of diarrhoeal diseases.
Achievements
 A brief review of results recorded, due to the above-mentioned Health Peace Corps Volunteer activities, in 2008 are as follows:
- 310 community members are able to list the signs and symptoms, the transmissions methods, prevention and treatment of the most common diseases of their zones.
- 65 trained health promoters are conducting regular health education activities on common diseases and health programs in their villages.
- 615 community members community members can list the factors that facilitate the spread of the malaria. 305 have had their mosquito nets treated before the rainy season.
- An entire arondisement in Kedegou provided 100% bed-net coverage for all families
- 220 women know how to prepare the anti-mosquito repellent-cream with neem leaves to avoid mosquito bites.
- 120 health promoters were trained on vaccinations promotion and have sensitized 315 women on the importance of vaccinations.
- 190 men accepted to encourage their wives to go at the health facility for prenatal visits, 215 women went to maternity facilities to give birth
- 440 men, 315 women, 500 boys and 280 girls are using a latrine.
- 90 men, 140 women, 415 boys and 220 girls demonstrate ability to treat water and to proper hand washing.
- 150 men, 270 women, 60 boys and 115 girls can list the transmission methods of HIV and STIs and how to prevent them.
Resources
Programme d’Éducation sur la Prévention de VIH/SIDA et l’Égalité de Genre
Powerpoint Presentation: Le SIDA est une priorité! Dix arguments pour convaincre
Case Studies
PCV Emily Cole's AIDS Tournee
PCV Adrien Thelin's Mosquito Net "Legs" Project
PCV Lauren Canton's AIDS Concert
PCV Laura Massengale's Teen Pregnancy Project
Kedougou Ophthalmology Mission
Podor Bednet Distribution
PCV Kari Nelson's Neem Lotion Campaign
Targeted HIV/AIDS Education and Testing Activities
Health Volunteer Blogs
Being Ñamoo: Amanda Wybolt, Kolda
Peace Corps Blog: Mike Toso, Kolda
Sene-gal: Leah Moriarty, Kedougou
A Jaraama Senegal: Eric Lella, Kedougou
Notes of a Native: Anna Alsobrook, Tambacounda
Bon Voyage: Amanda's African Expedition: Amanda Lyon, Tambacounda
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