Research into chronic lung diseases, such as COPD in asthma, mainly takes place in rich countries. Cultural differences must be taken into account when tackling this in low-income countries. Physician-researcher Evelyn Brakema conducted PhD research into a tailor-made approach in Kyrgyzstan, Vietnam, Greece and Uganda.
In the Netherlands, chronic lung diseases are tackled by reducing air pollution and discouraging smoking. In Kyrgyzstan, Brakema noticed that houses were blue with smoke, because manure was burned for hours for cooking and heating. A logical solution seems to be to use cooking appliances that emit less smoke. “That has been tried many times, but in vain, because the devices did not correspond to local beliefs and customs.”
When Brakema asked the residents of the areas she visited about the cause of long-term respiratory complaints, she got various answers. “In Vietnam, it is thought that a disturbance in the balance between heat and cold causes illness,” says Brakema. “The idea is that a hot cigarette on a cold morning has different effects than on a hot afternoon. In Uganda residents suspect that witchcraft is involved.”
Brakema and her team also achieved practical successes with their FRESH AIR research. For example, the local team in Kyrgyzstan was able to involve the health minister and health workers were informed about the prevention of chronic lung diseases.
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