Located in one of the nation’s premiere research institutions, the UCSD chapter continues Project Nicaragua’s research interest in spina bifida, a neurological disorder characterized by incomplete development of the spinal cord. Our goal is to use science and medicine to help improve the quality of life of  patients born with spina bifida, as well continue Project Nicaragua’s desire to decrease the prevalence rate of this developmental birth defect.

Quality of Life (QoL) and Family Impact Surveys

In December 2010 six UCSD Undergraduates traveled to Managua to donate medical supplies to El Antonio Lenin Fonseca  Hospital and initiate a research project about the Quality of Life and Family Impact of children born with Spina Bifida. This project was supervised by Dr. George Chiang from Rady Children’s Hospital, Dr. Juan Bosco from La Mascota, and Dr. Franco Cerna from Lenin Fonseca.

Data was collected at both Lenin Fonseca and La Mascota Pediatric Hospital and will be part of a cross-cultural study being conducted at the Rady Children’s Spinal Defects Clinic by an Undergraduate Project Nicaragua volunteer- Vanessa Estrada.

Past Research

2007: A Model of Latin American Healthcare: Evaluation of the Model de Atencion de Salud (MAIS) in Nicaragua

In September 2007 past UCSD Campus Director, Allen Ho, earned the title of Fulbright Fellow and opportunity to collaborate with AMOS Health and Hope to help evaluate the success of a new integrative, primary care oriented health system (MAIS) implemented in San Jose de los Remates.

2007: Soil Transmitted Parasite Project: Wipe Out Worms Now

Through the collaboration of Nicaraguan organizations MINSA, MINED, AMOS, and CEPAD, the UCSD chapter of Project Nicaragua helped facilitate a sub-project geared towards decreasing parasite load of school aged children in San Jose de los Remates. The immediate goal of this project was to facilitate child development and scholastic achievement by treating parasites, educating community members how to avoid transmission of soil transmitted helminthes, and implementing environmental health measures for decreasing the contamination of soil and water.