Nicaragua Expat Forum

Need help with information for simple health care

Post New Topic

RNurse74

4/4/2011 13:27 EST

I am a nursing student in the US. A small group of my fellow students are traveling to Nicaragua this summer to help provide medical care. I dont know exactly where they are going, but we have all been asked to help create informational flyers about home care for simple health problems. I am working on a flyer related to vomiting and diarrhea.
My problem is this, for a person in the US I can tell them to drink gatorade or Pedialyte. It can be bought at any grocery or drug store here. Do they even have access to that there? I can even give instructions on how to make a homemade version of this-but will they know what a teaspoon is or a quart? Also, can you tell me if bananas and fruit juices are readily available? Any advice you can give on the conditions there and availability of food would be appreciated. If you could tell me a little about the food staples of the more underdeveloped areas, this would help too.
Thank you very much!!

Post a Reply

00 Report abuse abuse

bushamy13

4/4/2011 17:07 EST

I have no medical background nor am I a cook but will try to answer some of these points. Gatorade is rather common here and most pulperias sell it though can not say it is in all parts of the country. It is certainly much more expensive than soft drinks like Coke. I don't know what Pedialyte is but I assume it also provides electrolytes.

Food staples are rice, beans, chicken, tortillas and cabbage. People in the rural areas often have more variety and meat since they are raising their own food. Bananas and fruit juices are readily available everywhere but depends on the season for each fruit.

No they do not know what a quart or teaspoon amount would be and even if translated, many do not have any means of measuring by exact means. Remember, few have stoves or refrigerators so the kitchen may simply be a community grill fired by wood.

For ideas on the medical info flyers I assume you are familiar with the book "When there is no doctor" for underdeveloped countries. It is available as a free download and available in Spanish, English and I believe, many other languages.

While I do not try to cover the info you are looking for, you can review www.nicaragua-guide.com for some details. Hope this helps.

You can also try the Yahoo Group Casa Ben Linder which is a loose association of NGOs in Nicaragua. There are some very knowledgable people there that usually respond quickly.

Darrell Bushnell

Post a Reply

00 You are reporting this! abuse

Choosing an expat health insurance provider is an important decision. Get a quote from our trusted expat health insurance partner, CIGNA. With Cigna Global Health Options, you can create an international health insurance plan that's perfectly tailored for the needs of you and your family.

Learn More Get a Quote

cfdreamer

4/5/2011 11:37 EST

Pedialyte is available in the pharmacies. Fresh juices are available and consumed in great quantities, though they're made with tons of sugar!

Post a Reply

00 You are reporting this! abuse

Expatriate Health Insurance Get a quote for expat health insurance in Nicaragua.	Mail Forwarding to Nicaragua Mail Forwarding to Nicaragua.
Expat Tax Expat Tax Preparation, Expat Tax Professionals	International Moving Companies Moving to Nicaragua? Find a moving company.