Community Based Management of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Nepal (COBIN-P)

Introduction

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide and in Nepal. The presence of risk factors like indoor and outdoor air pollution, the high prevalence of smoking, and the lack of general awareness of COPD makes it a serious public health concern. However, no attempt has been made in Nepal to estimate its burden and address the disease at the community level. A community-based cluster randomized controlled study was designed and implemented from 2018 August. This project aims to fulfill that gap by mobilizing Female Community Health Workers (FCHVs) trained to perform a certain set of health promotion activities to prevent the disease and its progression.

Objective

To determine the effect of mobilizing Female Community Health Volunteers (FCHVs) for prevention and management of COPD at community level.

Project Area

Semiurban area of Pokhara Municipality (Former Lekhanath Municipality).

Project Activities

Household survey was conducted in the study area among 1459 adults ≥ 40 years measuring lung function with portable spirometer and collecting information with structured questionnaire. The baseline survey was followed by one yearlong FCHVs led health education intervention and a follow-up survey. The baseline survey found that the prevalence of COPD was 8.5% and 12% prevalence of chronic airflow obstruction.

Project Related Publication

 Adhikari TB, Acharya P, Högman M, Neupane D, Karki A, Drews A, Cooper BG, Sigsgaard T, Kallestrup P. Prevalence of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and its Associated Factors in Nepal: Findings from a Community-based Household Survey. Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis. 2020;15:2319-2331

Project Status

Follow-up survey ongoing.

Collaborators

Aarhus University, Nepal Development Society, Nepalmed.

Project Lead