Nepal is known for its exceptionally poor air quality, significantly compromising the well-being of its residents. Among those most affected are the hardworking brickmakers who labor in hazardous conditions. In direct response to this challenge, teams from several colleges at Brigham Young University have traveled to Nepal to observe these workers, and data continues to be gathered to assess the state of their respiratory health.
The efforts are primarily led by Dr. Neil Peterson from the College of Nursing, and include participants from Civil and Construction Engineering, Cell Biology & Physiology, Public Health, and Nutrition, Dietetics & Food Science. The project, currently in its preliminary stage, seeks to gather essential data that will inform the development of a sustainable intervention to improve the health and well-being of brick workers in Nepal.
In a recent interview, Dr. Peterson outlined several responsibilities he undertook on the first trip to Nepal, which took place in March 2023. These included overseeing drawing blood, collecting saliva and sputum, and utilizing "point-of-care" ultrasound (POCUS) technology to perform pulmonary ultrasounds. These procedures were largely conducted by students from the several programs.
Regarding the impact of the project, Dr. Peterson said, “The most important part is, now what are we going to do about it, and how can we help these people.” Alex Black, a fifth-year nursing student who participated in the process, said that “It’s definitely been one of those once-in-a-lifetime opportunities, and I’m grateful for that.”
The groups plan to return to Nepal in March 2024, with the objective of collecting a larger sample size and therefore getting a clearer picture of the challenge they face. Plans include doubling the previous sample size and determining potential interventions for future trips.