Project Overview

Part 1. Research from the World Health Organization shows that Haiti has one of highest numbers of maternal and infant mortality rates in the western hemisphere. Primary causes of maternal and infant death in Haiti include hemorrage, infection, and complications during labor, along with some other such as preeclampsia, asphyxia and tetanus. Country-wide, it is estimated that around 26% of births are attended by a skilled birth attendant. In the rural areas, this drops to a staggering 15%. Beginning this summer, Duke graduate students Marnie Cooper Priest and Duke Medical School Student Kate Weigert will begin a Safe Motherhood project in the Leogane community to address this and some underlying issues.

Marnie and Kate will work with Family Health Ministries through this Safe Motherhood initiative to reduce maternal and infant mortality in Leogane, improve the outcomes of home deliveries through safe delivery practices and appropriate post-delivery medical referrals, and to develop a birth registry in Leogane. The program not only combines social and medical disciplines, but incorporates GPS mapping technology as well.

Part 2. Duke Students Nahida Chakhtour and Lauren Zalla will simultaneously work to indentify family planning programs and the time intervals families are using between having children, and investigate the breast feeding practices and underlying beliefs in communities.

Monday May 16, 2011

Marnie and Kate arrived safely Saturday (5/14/11) afternoon, and they were met at the airport by Missy. After picking them up at the airport, Missy took them to Star 2000 in Delmas to do any last minute shopping before heading to Fondwa on Sunday. 

On Sunday morning Missy took them to worship service at Cite Soleil Church where we met up with Emile and headed to Leogane to pick up their bags that Michael had sent down for them.

Before leaving Missy's house unofficially known to FHM as the "Portal to Fondwa," they were provided the opportunity to use the internet and purchase refreshing drinks from the boutique downstairs.