Project in Nepal
Investigators
Chuanwu Xi, PhD, MS, Professor, Environmental Health Sciences
Deb P. Pandey, PhD
Candidates at the Masters and PhD level are welcome to get involved in one of the following prohects.
Project 1. Population-Based Dementia Assessment in Nepal: The Chitwan Valley Family Study- Study on Cognition and Aging in Nepal (CVFS-SCAN)
Compared to the high-income countries, the population in low- and middle-income countries is aging faster, along with a significant rise in the anticipated number of dementia cases. For Nepal, the situation is comparable with no population-based data on older people’s cognitive health. The primary objectives of this study are i) to build capacity to conduct systematic population research in Alzheimer disease and related dementia (ADRD) and develop a new longitudinal study of ADRD and other aging related changes in health in older adults in Nepal. iii) to estimate the prevalence and incidence of ADRD and its primary clinical feature: cognitive impairment; test associations between primary risk factors and ADRD/cognitive impairment and other relevant outcomes, and finally iii) provide policy feedback to policy makers and practitioners in Nepal.
Anticipated activities
- Conducting cognitive interviews and pilot testing of research instruments
- Content analyses of cognitive interviews
- Psychometric analyses of pilot data
- Support field data collection
- Drafting reports
- Data analyses
Techniques or Methods students should be familiar with:
- Statistical analysis
- Familiarity with questionnaire design
- Availability for in person meeting with Nepal research team at the U-M Institute for Social Research and Virtual meeting(s) with Nepal team before arrival Nepal is required to prepare students in advance
Project 2. Wastewater Surveillance for Infectious Diseases in Nepal [Phase 1]
Wastewater based surveillance becomes a versatile tool to monitor the spread of infectious diseases in resources limited countries. However, there are many challenges to implement such strategy in developing countries. The long term objective of this project is to establish wastewater based surveillance platform in Nepal for infectious diseases and provide necessary data to governmental agencies and other entities to prepare for potential outbreaks.
Anticipated Activities
- Collect demographic information of the study sites
- Support field data collection
- Training on environmental sample collection
- Drafting reports
- Data analyses
Techniques or Methods Students should be familiar with:
- Statistical analysis
- Familiarity with questionnaire design
- Availability for in person meeting with Nepal research team at the U-M Institute for Social Research and Virtual meeting(s) with Nepal team before arrival Nepal is required to prepare students in advance
A note about the host site:
ISER-N is a premier research and development institute committed to turning knowledge into practice and improving human lives and environmental conditions. Our work focuses on evidence-based decision-making processes that build on high quality scientific research carried out by employing state-of-the-art, cutting-edge research methods for promoting informed policy decisions, identifying effective sustainable development initiatives, and strengthening democratic values. We are proud to have a team of experienced and enthusiastic national and international researchers from various areas. We are also highly equipped with recent technologies to promote Computer Assisted data collection, undisturbed work environment (power back up) and building up of national capacity (Long Distance Training Centre, high speed internet, …).
A note about the site location:
Chitwan District is one of 77 districts of Nepal, and takes up the southwestern corner of Bagmati Province. Bharatpur, largest city of Nepal after Kathmandu, is its administrative centre. It covers 2,238.39 km², and in 2011 had a population of 579,984 people.