Global Environmental Health
Ongoing research projects
Health effects of early-life exposure to environmental pollutants and nutrients
To evaluate adverse health effects of early-life exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and toxic metals, such as arsenic, cadmium, lead etcetera, on growth, development and cardio-metabolic risk indicators among children and adolescents.
To assess blood level of different hormones related to growth and reproduction during adolescence and their environmental correlates.
Collaborators
Karolinska Institutet, Lund University, and International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research Bangladesh (icddr,b)
Funding
FORMAS and Swedish Research Council
Responsible researcher/contact person
Syed Moshfiqur Rahman, syed.moshfiqur@kbh.uu.se
Ongoing PhD projects
The study of the dietary diversity and health status among Thai elderly
PhD student: Chalobol Chalermsri
Supervisors: Syed Moshfiqur Rahman, Shirin Ziaei, Eva-Charlotte Ekström, Weerasak Muangpaisan
The qualitative and quantitative research aim to explore the dietary diversity and its health effects among the elderly population in Thailand. Thai elderly and informal caregivers in Samut Sakhon Province, Thailand were interviewed to explore the experiences and determinants influencing the food choices and eating practices from their own perspectives. For examining the associated factors and the health consequences of dietary diversity, the data from Thai National Health Examination Survey (NHES) 2009-2014 were analysed. After that, the nutritional educational intervention via mobile application will be developed and implemented to improve the nutritional knowledge and the dietary diversity in Thai elderly.
Collaborators
Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
Effect of psychosocial stimulation and nutrition education on child growth and development using lactating allowance platform in urban Bangladesh
PhD student: Sheikh Jamal Hossain
Supervisors: Syed Moshfiqur Rahman, Jena Hamadani, Anisur Rahman
Ensuring psychosocial stimulation for urban children is a big challenge since the urban system in low- and middle-income countries is complex. Little is known about what happen if psychosocial stimulation and nutrition education is provided using urban lactating allowance program on children’s growth and development. This PhD project is based on data available from a cluster randomized controlled trial in an urban area of Bangladesh. The aim is to deliver a package of psychosocial stimulation and nutrition education using unconditional cash transfer platform and to measure the effect on disadvantaged children’s growth and development in urban Bangladesh. The stimulation and nutrition education was provided domiciliary fortnightly for one year for the children aged 6-16 months. Children’s cognitive, motor and language development was measured using Bayley-III, Mother’s quality of life will also be measured using World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQoL) questionnaire. Intention to treat analysis will be done to see the intervention effect.
Collaborators
International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research Bangladesh, (icddr,b)