pollution epidemiology Melina Samar Magsumbol Sr. Research - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Qualitative methods in air pollution epidemiology

Melina Samar Magsumbol

• Sr. Research Association, PHFI

Qualitative approach

• Operationalizing certain constructs

(poverty – income?; gendered interactions – empowerment?)

• Design (rapid appraisal)
• Mixed methods

Research issues

• Understanding/awareness of the relationship between air pollution and

cardiopulmonary problems

• Risk perception and behavioural modifications among those suffering from

cardiopulmonary problems

• Harm reduction strategies (protective behaviors) to reduce exposures, if

any

• Knowledge, perception and attitudes towards air pollution of various

stakeholders

Advantages (Scammell 2010, Env Health Persp)

• Qualitative data will add to understanding of specific exposure

pathways

• Provide information on perceptions of risk/susceptibility, harm

reduction strategies

• Socio-economic/gender/cultural gradients modify exposures and

health outcomes

• Intervention planning

Methods

• Participant observation (PO) for specific behaviors that predispose

participants to exposure to air pollution (ex. commuting, occupation)

• Validate time/activity questionnaires
• Contextualize data captured by personal air monitors
• Effective messaging / risk communication
• FGDs to identify harm reduction practices
• Hazards identified by community (local sources – ex. factories)

Examples

Straw burning in Punjab

• Villages in Fazilka district – 2 years no straw burning
• Biomass powerplant
• Service and machinery provider
• Value Chain Approach  Technology adoption/constraints
• Benefits derived; economic vs health
• Organization of farmers’ groups
• Innovations – service delivery

Infrastructure Agriculture department Research institutions Availability of loans Entrepreneurs Innovative scheme – harvester Farmers as drivers-

• wners- service

providers Farmers Groups Payment scheme Logistics of straw collection Business

• pportunities

Physicians and air pollution

• Understand the knowledge, attitude and behaviour of physicians

towards health effects of air pollution

• Understand the role of the physician as a practitioner and as a policy

actor

• Role as advocate, policymaking (individual and as a collectivity)
• Upstream thinking
• Key informant interviews and semi-quantitative survey

Pesticide use and cultural constructs

• Symptoms of pesticide poisoning among male farmers – normalized
• Home remedies, or went to indigenous healers
• Serious cases of poisoning (seizures, vomiting, loss of consciousness) reach

hospital and get recorded

• Harm reduction practices countered medical advice
• Women used pesticides for household/gardening, dengue control
• Conflict between those who practice integrated pest management and

heavy pesticide users

• Participant observation, KI, economic and health survey, agricultural inputs

Qualitative approach

• Operationalizing certain constructs

(poverty – income?; gendered interactions – empowerment?)

• Design (rapid appraisal)
• Mixed methods