News Update from Jos, Nigeria -

‘The Mary Magdalene Project Begins’

in West Africa.   I have deferred my last year of studies to volunteer to help out with the Mary Magdalene Project, a fascinating and comprehensive research study which is being headed by academic staff from the University of Jos - A/Prof Atiene Sagay, Godwin Imade (senior research fellow), A/Prof Viola Onwuliri   (shown below).

and also Dr. Daniel Egah, an STI physician (unfortunately not in photo above), whilst being initiated by Prof Roger Short from the University of Melbourne.                 

The aim of this project is to ascertain whether the simple lemon/lime may be nature’s own microbicide as a defence to HIV in women, by looking at a pre-existing group of lemon/lime users who work in the sex industry here in Jos.                

The project has employed 13 local staff, with the principal investigators as mentioned backed up by 3 laboratory staff, 4 field workers and 2 nurse counselors.  All of whom are in the following picture.

Back Row:  Ejike, Monica, Gloria, Ayeni, Nankling, Gertrude, Edith, William Front Row:  Godwin, Atiene Solomon, Viola, Matthew, Daniel

The group has had many meetings in the lead up to the project commencing, and the careful planning has allowed us to have currently interviewed, tested and treated over 50 sex workers, with plans for approximately a further 250 more.

My role within the team has been to assist in any way possible, and so far I have had the invaluable experience of helping to develop the questionnaire and other documentation we are using, keep a detailed record of the project expenditures, source donations for STI and HIV testing kits and also condoms, and interact with other members of the team in their various roles as well as the women participating in the study.                

The project consists of three main sections.  Firstly there is a thorough questionnaire which explores many socio-demographic features, lemon/lime juice practices and contraception amongst other things.  Secondly there is the testing component, which involves sample collection for HIV and STI screening, and also cervical screening using colposcopy and pap-smears.  The laboratory staff and facility where this is done is shown below.

Finally there is free medical treatment for any STI’s, whilst those found to be HIV positive are referred to a specialist clinic for education, support, and treatment. Therefore the comprehensive and holistic nature of the project means that it is unlikely anything of this magnitude has been undertaken before in Nigeria.                

We have had some amusing and also enlightening moments in overcoming some of the challenges thrown our way during the study so far.  The mobilization of the women from the brothels in particular has been a delicate matter, and differences in perception, often due to lack of education, cultural practices and strong collective peer influences has led to some minor problems - only overcome with open discourse and understanding from both sides of the issues involved.  Here the invaluable experience of the local professional’s who have worked closely with these women in a variety of roles, be it treating them medically, past rehabilitative efforts, or counseling, means that the issues and perceptions they portray can be properly explored.

It has certainly been an eye-opening experience to try and comprehend the extent of the impact of HIV here, and particularly the way in which the sadly marginalized and stigmatized sex workers are not currently having their specific health needs addressed.  The potential implications of these limitations on themselves and the wider community is nothing less than frightening.  The sex workers are an interesting and challenging group to work with at times, and it has been vitally important to try and gain their trust, and show the potential short term and longer term benefits of finding out the effect of their lemon and lime juice practices.  We hope that by being totally transparent in all our dealings with them, being sensitive of their needs and issues, uniform in our management and treatment, and most importantly honest in discussing our motivations for the study, that we can make a positive difference in the lives of the women by conducting this project.                

So things are traveling along smoothly, and we have generated a large amount of interesting data so far, which of course would not have been possible without the generous donations to the Mary Magdalene Fund established by Professor Roger Short, which also kindly supported my travel expenses.                

I hope you have found this interesting reading, and if you wish to keep informed on what is happening I will be continuing to file regular updates.  For any queries or comments, please direct them to Brian Haill (b.haill@bigpond.net.au).

Bye for now,

Matthew.             

‘On the way to Jos!’