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Health Care and Safety in Mauritania
The Peace Corps' highest priority is maintaining the good health and safety of every Volunteer. Peace Corps medical programs emphasize the preventive, rather than the curative approach to disease. The Peace Corps in Mauritania maintains a clinic with two full-time medical officers, who take care of Volunteers' primary healthcare needs. If a Volunteer becomes seriously ill, that person will be transported to either an American medical facility in the region or to the United States.
Health Conditions in Mauritania
Major health problems among Peace Corps Volunteers in Mauritania are rare and are often the result of a Volunteer not taking preventive measures to stay healthy. The most common health problems here are minor ones that are also found in the United States, such as colds, diarrhea, hemorrhoids, constipation, sinus infections, skin infections, headaches, dental problems, minor injuries, sexually transmitted diseases, adjustment disorders, emotional problems, and alcohol abuse. These problems may be more frequent or compounded by life in Mauritania, because certain environmental factors here raise the risk and/or exacerbate the severity of illness and injuries.The most common major health concerns here are malaria, amoebic dysentery, giardia, schistosomiasis, hepatitis, and HIV/AIDS. Because malaria is endemic in Mauritania, anti-malarial pills are required. Volunteers will also be vaccinated against hepatitis B, hepatitis A, meningitis A & C, tetanus/diptheria, Japanese B encephalitis, typhoid, and rabies. Amoebic dysentery and giardia can be avoided by thoroughly washing fruits and vegetables and either boiling your drinking water or using chlorine to treat your water. By not swimming or bathing in fresh water lakes, ponds, and rivers, you can avoid contracting schistosomiasis.
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Staying Mentally Healthy