Louisiana Research Day Program Book 2025

Clinical Research

Sydni Bannerman, OMS-III; Rachel A. Gatewood, OMS-III; Brogan Lynch, OMS-II; Julia Moore, OMS-III; Calista Mueller, OMS-II; Katlin Schultz, OMS-I; Ana Jones, BS; Annie Kirby, PhD, RD, LD, CCMS Preventive Medicine and Public Health, International and Appalachian Outreach, VCOM-Auburn and VCOM-Louisiana 31 MALNUTRITION AND CLEAN WATER ACCESS: A SURVEY-BASED STUDY OF VCOM’S INTERNATIONAL SITES IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC AND HONDURAS

Background: VCOM’s International Medical Outreach Program provides annual care to patients in Honduras and the Dominican Republic. Osteopathic physicians strive to provide holistic care, including consideration of barriers to adequate nutritional intake and clean water access. With the increasing rates of premature death attributable to dietary risk in Latin America, identifying the dietary needs of this patient population can lead to improved health outcomes long term. Objective: The primary objective of this study is to assess and identify malnutrition trends and barriers to clean water access among patients at VCOM’s international service areas (ISA) in the Dominican Republic and Honduras. Methods: The project team developed a survey, translated it to Spanish, and administered it on paper during VCOM’s ISA clinics as part of week-long student mission trips. The survey was first conducted in July 2024 in the Dominican Republic and later in September 2024 in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. It assessed patients’ demographics, social determinants, water consumption and sourcing, and macronutrient

intake. Data was collected from patients 18 years or older (n=167) with the assistance of translators or VCOM faculty. The collected data was then securely transported to the United States for digitization and analysis. SigmaPlot 14.0 was utilized to generate descriptive statistics and one way frequency tables. Results: Of the 167 responses, demographic analysis revealed an average age of 45 years old, with 77% identifying as female. The most commonly reported ancestries were Honduran (64%), Dominican (24%), or Haitian (11%). Many participants rated their overall health as fair (57%) or poor (5%) rather than good (37%) or excellent (0.5%). The majority of respondents reported access to safe water (71%) and consume more than two glasses of water a day (79%). However, only 43% were aware of the recommendations for daily water intake and 50% reported consuming more juice, coffee, or soda than water. Regarding nutritional intake, 58% of respondents reported eating less than two meals per day, although 71% indicated they could adequately shop for and prepare food. Eating with others was common, with 86% stating they rarely eat alone. Macronutrient

intake analysis revealed that most participants do not meet recommended servings of fruits, vegetables, or grains. However, the majority met recommendations for protein and fat consumption. Conclusions: The analysis of malnutrition trends and clean water access data from VCOM’s ISA clinics in the Dominican Republic and Honduras offers valuable insights into the dietary patterns and resource availability of the patient population served by VCOM students and physicians during medical mission trips. Identifying these trends will support the development of targeted interventions and strategies to improve long-term health outcomes within this population. This research is ongoing, with data collection set to continue through Spring 2025, incorporating additional VCOM international trips.

Clinical Research

IN THE PHOTO: Stephen DiGiuseppe, PhD

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2025 Research Recognition Day