Kisumu: Part Two.

My first full day in Africa is winding down as I sit atop the Imperial Hotel watching the sun set over Lake Victoria.

After chicken stew with rice for lunch, the group met with members of the Kenyan medical institute, KEMRI, and other key Kenyan stakeholders to determine elements to be covered for a baseline study related to the introduction of probiotic yogurt to the community.  Researchers were hoping to discover if three measurements they felt could help determine the success of the project were viable within the community:

1. By measuring levels of CD4, does this probiotic yogurt affect immunity for HIV/AIDS?
2. By measuring height and weight of children, 2-5, do we see any significant benefits?
3. Do episodes and duration of infection diminish with consumption?

Significant progress was made in preparation for the project’s commencement in Kasipul, which has a population of 140,000; during the second phase, the project will expand to Kabondo, which has a population of 60,000. Both have an HIV/AIDS infection rate of 17 per cent.

It was important for the Canadian and Kenyan representatives to clearly understand how they planned to identify candidates for the study (including ratios of men, women and children), and how potential candidates could best be served.  It was commonly agreed upon that it is critical that potential candidates are properly sensitized to the benefits of probiotic yogurt for an ongoing commitment to become sustainable. And now, dinner beckons.

Posted by Douglas Keddy on October 15, 2007 | Permalink | Comments (6) | TrackBack (0)

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Comments

DK:
Glad to hear you've landed. From what I've read so far it's shaping up to be quite the trip. Since I don't want you to spend your limited Internet time reading a long-winded message, I'll end it here. I'll check back and keep in touch.

Walewander

Posted by: Walewander | Oct 15, 2007 3:07:09 PM

DK: PM shared the URL to your blog. Keep posting, best wishes for success, and enjoy the adventure. We are following back home.

Mac Daddy

Posted by: Mac Daddy | Oct 15, 2007 3:26:24 PM

Hey DK: Hope you get more than yogurt to eat on your trip!

P.S. Guess you won't be making First Friday beer at the Grad Club??

Have fun....and write often.

Cheers,
ds

Posted by: Scotty | Oct 15, 2007 3:59:46 PM

DK:

Glad to hear that things are going well so far. I'm enjoying following your journey. Take lots of great shots! Can't wait to see all your pics. Be safe.

Terry

Posted by: Terry | Oct 15, 2007 8:51:20 PM

Wow! The trip sounds amazing so far! Thanks for sharing your stories.

Posted by: Joyce | Oct 15, 2007 10:09:22 PM

Huge respect and some small envy for what you are doing pal - thanks for including us; I know I will be telling others.

Posted by: Robin | Oct 16, 2007 2:23:57 AM