11 From SPH Go to Nicaragua

Eleven students, alumni and faculty members of the School of Public Health last month left for a two-week survey of Health conditions in Nicaraguan households.

After the student members of the group took a course last term that focused on low-intensity war Zones, or those "of ethnic conflict, of rebellion at the government, of terrorism," they decided to travel to Nicaragua, said David E. Bell, chairman of the of the Department of population Sciences at SPH.

The group is trying to gather data on the impact of war on civilian populations in four Nicaraguan villages. The group members are hoping to go "door-to-door" and interview mothers with at least one child under six years old about health and sanitation conditions in the low intensity war zones of Nicaragua, according to Terri L. Goldberg, an SPH student and spokesman for the group.

But Bell said the group does not intend to conduct its research in the war zones.

"It's been controversial because it's dangerous and Harvard was very concerned about the safety of the students," Bell said.

Initially, the administration had opposed the trip, Goldberg said, because "Harvard was very concerned about the safety of the students." But after some SPH faculty members supported the trip, the administration relented, she said.

While in Nicaragua, the group will work in conjunction with the Medical School of the University of Managua, Goldberg said.

The trip is being funded by several civic and religious organizations. The members of the group are expected back this weekend, and they hope to publish a preliminary report on their research in six months, Goldberg said.