Tag Research

Karachi (Muhammad Yasir)

A multi-faceted study conducted by Dr Asaad Nafees, Assistant Professor, Department of Community Health Sciences at the Aga Khan University (AKU) is the largest of its kind to determine the effectiveness of a simple intervention in reducing cotton dust-related respiratory health effects on textile workers in Pakistan. The study titled MultiTex RCT, in collaboration with the National Heart and Lung Institute (NHLI) and Imperial College London, marked a crucial step towards revolutionizing occupational health interventions for textile workers in Pakistan and other Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs).

Persistent cotton dust exposure leads to the development of a disease called byssinosis, a disease prevalent among textile workers in LMICs due to limited access to occupational health and safety measures. With an initial cohort of 2031 workers from 38 textile mills in Karachi, the study tested a low-cost intervention package to ascertain if it would mitigate the adverse respiratory effects experienced by these workers. The interventions comprised training in occupational health for all workers and managers, regular refresher sessions, formation of workplace committees to enforce a health and safety plan including wet mopping and safe disposal of cotton dust, and provision of face masks. The results showed clear improvements in respiratory symptoms and lung function of the textile workers.

Funded by the Wellcome Trust for a period of three years, the findings of this important research can be applied to the larger textile landscape helping workers in Pakistan and elsewhere stay safe and minimize their disease burden. Discussing the study outcomes, Prof Paul Cullinan, formerly of Imperial College London, involved in the study said, “Studies of this caliber on occupational health interventions are extremely rare and this work has promise for large-scale uptake since the multifaceted intervention was designed to fit the local context in Pakistan.  There is no obvious reason why it could not be rolled out more widely, nationally, and internationally.  In the 200 years we have been faced with byssinosis, this work represents a landmark in its control”. He underlined the importance of these simple yet transformative interventions, advocating for their widespread adoption for the benefit the workers.

Dr Asaad Nafees, the Principal Investigator, explained that “this trial was a parallel, cluster-randomized controlled study with textile mills as the unit of randomization. It can be replicated across the region to potentially impact respiratory health of all relevant workers, and potentially result in a healthier, more productive workforce.”

Key findings were recently presented at a seminar, where Engineer Sibtain Mughal, Joint Director Labour (OSH), Government of Sindh, committed the government’s support to the implementation of the health measures recommended by the study. “Workers deserve a high level of care and attention since their health holds significant importance for the industrial productivity and economy of the country.”

Several manuscripts have been published in high-impact occupational health journals. The study was also recently accepted for publication in the European Respiratory Journal.

Karachi (Muhammad Yasir)

The ‘Right To Protein’ initiative of the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) introduced the ‘Pakistan Protein Perception Study 2023’. The nation-wide survey conducted by YouGov assessed citizens’ knowledge, behaviour, and perceptions about protein foods in Pakistan. The study highlights the practical challenges that pose as a barrier to adequate protein consumption in Pakistan. Majority of the Pakistanis are unaware of their ideal daily protein requirements and lack basic knowledge of protein rich foods. 

The Pakistan Protein Perception Study found that majority of the respondents spend only between 10-20% of their monthly food budgets on food sources that are rich in protein, which is the most essential macronutrient for human bodies Over 60% citizens surveyed agree that lack of protein affects their overall health, and that unhealthy lifestyle choices contribute significantly to their protein deficiency. Misinformation about protein consumption was also found to be rampant, with 46% respondents wrongly believing that high consumption of protein leads to weight gain and 45% stating that controlling calories is more important than consuming protein.  Less than 50% of respondents felt they were consuming less than half of the required amount of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins and over 40% incorrectly classified fruits, vegetables, and whole grain cereals to be ‘high protein’ foods. 

The study further revealed that high inflation in non-meat protein sources such as beans, milk, whole grain cereals as well as animal protein sources such as poultry, fish, and meat are driving causes about their unaffordability in recent times. As a result, while less than half (46%) respondents reported some increase in protein consumption, little over half reported a decline or no change in their consumption as per basic requirements. Respondents whose protein consumption decreased by a larger amount are larger households (married and have kids) and the decline was experienced majorly in the consumption of meat and fish which are protein-rich but more expensive as compared to other sources.

This study comes at a critical time and helps understand the challenges caused due to rising food prices in the country. With the compounding factors of a growing population and the impacts of global climate change, ensuring food and nutrition security has become an urgent area of concern. 

Speaking about the study, Deeba Giannoulis, Regional Head, U.S. Soy Marketing & Sustainability, SAASSA, U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) said, “USSEC is a big advocate of food and nutrition security in the region. The ‘Pakistan Protein Perception Study’ brings forth the perspectives and priorities for the citizens, aiming to identify strategies for combating protein energy malnutrition and advocating reforms to bolster protein production and consumption. These could encompass measures such as improving accessibility to quality animal feed to lower costs of high-protein foods, exploring alternative sources of protein-rich foods, and raising overall public awareness of the critical role that protein plays in nutritional well-being and therefore nutrition security of the nation.”

Developed by YouGov, the Pakistan Protein Perception Study 2023 surveyed over 500 respondents in Pakistan using a quota-based sampling approach for representation of different age groups (18-45+ years) and genders. This survey was conducted using an online interview (lasting ~10 minutes) administered in English, to a sample from members of the YouGov Pakistan panel that consists of nearly 69,500 individuals. The sample was representative of adult urban internet users (18 years of age and above), who can read and understand English, and the results reflect the general responses of such an audience.

‘Right To Protein’ invites everyone to share the Pakistan Protein Perception Study 2023 within their networks and engage in meaningful discussions to drive positive change