Masters of Public Health dissertation or thesis: Vitamin A and leprosy

Overview

This project would be in collaboration with Professor Steve Chambers of the Department of Pathology in Christchurch who is the Medical Director of the Pacific Leprosy Foundation (PLF). The PLF supports leprosy diagnosis, treatment, and prevention efforts in a number of Pacific counties.

This project investigates a potential causal association between Vitamin A intake / levels and leprosy. A systematic review (and meta-analysis, if feasible) of literature on this would be the first step and could form an MPH dissertation.

Professor Chambers may have some data from a convenience sample of people in Kiribati, pending Ethics approval to analyse for this in blood spots collected recently, which could be part of the dissertation or could possibly combine with the systematic review to make an MPH thesis, depending on the volume and quality of the data.

Useful information

• Graduate research at the University of Otago
• Scholarships at the University of Otago