Preferred Qualifications
Open to qualified undergraduate and graduate students who meet the following requirements:
Graduate student in MPH/Nursing or other health sciences program with related coursework.
Or
Undergraduate student:
-rising junior or senior; nursing; pre-med or pre-MPH or health sciences degree program
-coursework in one or more of the following: epidemiology, nursing, nutrition, community health, environmental health, global health, or related
-prefer experience in a public health-related area: internship, research, field work in public health or medicine
-prefer international and/or cross-cultural experience.  

Application Deadlines
April 1, 2010. Admission is not rolling - all completed applications will be reviewed after the deadline.

The Problem in Context
In the early 1980s Kenya began a process of privatizing open grazing land into group ranches. This significant land use change has forced traditionally nomadic peoples, including the Maasai, onto smaller plots of land. The Maasai, a proud and historically self-sufficient society are now facing many social, political and economic challenges. The result has increased their vulnerability to disease and famine, and they frequently rely on relief food and water to survive.

This major shift from nomadicism to pastoralism has brought about new health problems for the Maasai, including an escalation in sanitation-related and water-borne diseases, infant and childhood disease, and HIV/AIDS. Access to quality health care, both physically and culturally, poses a critical issue for this predominantly rural population. Except for recent household surveys conducted by The School for Field Studies (SFS), there are little baseline data or records on Maasai health status in southern Kenya, which adds another dimension to this public health challenge.

Use of Herbal Medicine and Health Seeking Behaviors
In Kenya, nearly 80% of the population, including the Maasai, are still dependent on herbal medicine - it remains an important source of treatment, particularly for rural communities. The World Health Organization's global strategy includes popularizing and incorporating herbal medicine in the national health systems of member countries. Consequently, Kenya is developing a national policy that will incorporate herbal medicine in its health provision strategy. Students participating in this SFS course may provide a vital link between the needs of the Maasai and Kenya's national health strategy.

Program Description
As an extension of its environmental-focused research, SFS has created academic partnerships with several leading universities, including Boston University School of Public Health, Northern Arizona University Schools of Nursing and Health Sciences, and the Moi University (Kenya) Schools of Public Health and Medicine to respond to the environmental health issues described above. Instructors for this course are drawn from these and other health institutions. This program is a graduate-level field course open to both graduate and qualified undergraduates in public health, nursing, pre-med, medical and health sciences.

This course will provide students with an international field study experience in environmental and community health in Kenya, specifically focusing on the indigenous Maasai community. Students will engage in the design and implementation of a field-based research project in local communities. In the past we have conducted household surveys to assess the public health issues facing rural communities and households. This summer we will use those survey results as a basis for examining the effectiveness of specific public health projects or facilities through developing and implementing plans for monitoring and evaluation of those projects.

Program Highlights

Credits	6 credits (applicable for either graduate or undergraduate credit)
Dates	Session II 2010: July 7 - August 12
Location/Base	SFS Kilimanjaro Bush Camp, Kimana, Kenya
Program Tuition & Fees	Total: $6,025 Tuition: $4,050 Fees: $1,975 (includes room, board, local travel and park entrance fees. Fee excludes airfare.)
Preferred Qualifications	Open to qualified undergraduate and graduate students who meet the following requirements: Graduate student in MPH/Nursing or other health sciences program with related coursework. Undergraduate student -rising junior or senior; nursing, pre-med or pre-MPH or health sciences degree program -coursework in one or more of the following: epidemiology, nursing, nutrition, community health, environmental health, global health -prefer demonstrated interest in public health through experience in a related area: internship, research, field work in public health, medical, or health related area -prefer international and/or cross-cultural experience.
Financial Aid	Need-based SFS travel grants and scholarships. See our financial aid page for more information.
Research Focus	Develop and implement a plan for monitoring and evaluation of existing public health project or program. Community education related to water and sanitation, hygienic practices.
Field Expeditions	Maasai villages & group ranches, local health clinics & dispensaries; HIV/AIDS clinics; Amboseli National Park.

Students will learn about:

• The historical, socioeconomic, cultural, environmental, political, and health aspects of life in Kenya, with particular focus of the culture and practices of the Maasai tribe.
• Cultural practices and traditional beliefs and their relationship to health issues in Maasai communities including health seeking behaviors in the communities of interest.
• The organization of health care services in Kenya with specific focus on Maasailand and the Amboseli ecosystem.
• Health issues and health seeking behaviors in the communities of interest.
• How the local environment impacts community health.
• Assessing and analyzing health issues and reporting findings and recommendations to key stakeholders and communities of interest.
• Theory and practice of monitoring and evaluation plans for health projects and programs.
• Implementation of monitoring and evaluation plans for local health programs.

Language of Instruction
English

Housing
Students will be based at the SFS Kilimanjaro Bush Camp in Kimana, Kenya, at the base of Mount Kilimanjaro. Our field station is in the heart of Maasailand.

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