ASCC Nursing Students To Conduct Manu’a Community Outreach

ASCC Nursing Students To Conduct Manu’a Community Outreach

By James Kneubuhl, ASCC Press Officer

Nine of the ten student nurses in the Practical Nursing (PN) Program at the American Samoa Community College (ASCC) will conduct a five-day Community Outreach Project in Ofu, Olosega and Sili, Manua beginning Monday November 18th. “The project will consist of health teaching on the most common non-communicable diseases such as Diabetes, Hypertension, and Gout,” explained ASCC Nursing Department Chair Lele Ah-Mu, who will accompany the students on their Manu’a visit.

Ah-Mu said that the teaching on non-communicable diseases (NCDs) will focus on the pathophysiology, causes and risk factors, signs and symptoms, diagnostic tests available on Manu’a or Tutuila, treatments and preventions. Activities planned are home visits to families and villages to take readings on blood pressure and weight, test glucose levels, and give demonstrations on foot care to diabetic patients who are at risk for foot sepsis, a common complication that can lead to amputation. Other activities will involve village gatherings at the church hall to provide healthy cooking demonstrations to mothers, fathers and children who are responsible for preparing family meals. “We wish to stress the importance of utilizing vegetables grown locally to maintaining a healthy diet,” said Ah-Mu. The nurses will also hold exercise sessions every afternoon to demonstrate easy aerobic exercises that are important in losing weight and preventing symptoms of hypertension and gout.

“The topics we will cover and the activities we have planned will enable the PN students to apply the knowledge and experience they’ve obtained during the semester from class lectures as well as experience working in the Medical and Surgical Wards, Emergency Department, Cardiac Lab, and Dialysis unit at LBJ Hospital,” said Ah-Mu. “The project will help put in perspective what was learned as a preparation for the NCLEX-PN and employment at LBJ or the Department of Health (DOH). Students will also demonstrate leadership and management skills learned in class and in clinical rotation at LBJ, as they are responsible for researching current information and preparing posters and pamphlets in English and Samoan to promote health in the community and make clients more knowledgeable concerning their own medical treatment.” Ah-Mu added that data collected in Manu’a will be shared with the DOH Nursing personnel for continuation of care.

The PN students making the trip to Manu’a are Easter Aulava, Moya Bejer, Lina Faafetai, Olataga Fanolua, Joyce Fou, Faafetai Ifopo, Ria Lefiti, Belinda Aulava-Togiai, and Emele Tulafono. The 10th student in the PN Program, Sinatinae Leaupepe, will not be able to join her colleagues on the trip, but has contributed to the preparations for their activities on Manu’a. All expenses are being covered by the Department of Education’s Scholarship Program and supplies are being provided by the participating students and faculty. For more information on the ASCC Nursing Program, Ah-Mu and the Nursing faculty can be reached at 699-1586.

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