AN OUTREACH ACTIVITY ON THE PREVALENCE OF COPD IN A TRIBAL VILLAGE

AN OUTREACH ACTIVITY ON THE PREVALENCE OF COPD IN A TRIBAL VILLAGE

by Mukthar Ali and Anu P rose( Pharmd 5th year)

COPD is the 13^th leading cause of burden of disease worldwide and is expected to become 5^th by 2020. Emissions from biomass fuel combustion significantly contributes to COPD , although smoking is recognized as the most important factor.

Rural women in developing countries bear the largest share of this burden resulting from chronic exposures to biomass fuel smoke. Although there is considerable strength of evidence for the association between COPD and biomass smoke exposure, the relationship has not been firmly established. To ascertain this relationship, we performed a Pulmonary Function Test in a tribal village, where biomass fuel(wood) is the only source of energy for cooking and heating.

On 4^th March, 2017 –a camp was set in Amale, a tribal village of Maharashtra, located 100kms away from Nashik. This village is at a remote place, isolated from the modern world, lacks electricity connection and other basic necessities that we have. Here, solid biomass fuel (wood) is the sole energy for cooking and heating. Since the women of Amale with age group between 18-60 are more exposed to this risk factor, the camp was set to check the prevalence of COPD among them. Pregnant women and those who had a history of TB, asthma and cardiac diseases were excluded from the study. We could observe that the houses had its kitchen built indoors with very poor ventilation pattern. This increased the risk of COPD not only in women involved in cooking but also the children of the house. Symptoms like eye irritation, shortness of breath, cough and weakness were highly prevalent among the biomass users. Excessive use of tobacco chewing, severe malnourishment and stunted growth were also observed among the villagers. They followed a different diet which lacked leafy vegetables, milk, egg, meat, etc.

There were no hospitals or health centers available in the locality. The only nearest PHC was 5kms away. Moreover, there were no transportation facilities to this village. Along with PFT, we were also able to conduct a survey on maternal health status, malnutrition, traditional medicines used, etc. The spirometer and the technicians required for the test were arranged from LUPIN Pharmaceuticals by Dr. Subin Ahmed, HOD and consulting physician of pulmonology department, KIMS Al Shifa Hospital.

As a result of this study, every household of the village were provided with smokeless stove by a renowned NGO. We were also able to make them aware about the ill effects of tobacco chewing and poor ventilation patterns in the kitchen that could progressively lead to pulmonary dysfunctions. Also the importance of including milk, leafy vegetables, eggs, etc in their diet was conveyed for improving their health status.

It was a wonderful experience interacting with the tribals, knowing more about their culture and traditions, and learning more about the disease and its risk factors beyond its theoretical aspects. We thank Dr. Dilip C, Mr. Linu Mohan  and other dept staff for all their support in providing us with this great opportunity.