A Bournemouth University professor has published a research paper on the public health implications of the Covid-19 pandemic in Nepal to support the country’s response.
Due to the rapid global spread of Covid-19, it was urgent for timely editorial to be written and published on the implications of the disease. In a low-income country, such as Nepal, with fewer resources it is more difficult to conduct appropriate research into new diseases; it is also more difficult to introduce and enforce public health protection measures.
BU Professor Edwin van Teijlingen has researched a range of health and health promotion topics in Nepal for the past 16 years and is a member of the Editorial Board of the Nepal Journal of Epidemiology, where his paper: ‘Covid-19 Pandemic: Public Health Implications in Nepal’ was published.
“We argued that there is a need for Nepal to get prepared for Covid-19 and we refer to the World Health Organization’s set of comprehensive guidelines on Covid-19,” said Professor Van Teijlingen, a Professor of Reproductive Health Research at BU.
“As Nepal is perhaps two weeks behind the epidemic trend in the UK, we highlighted some of the measures taken here such as the closure of schools and universities and advice for citizens to work from home.”
“Nepal also needs to address another Public Health issue, namely that of health inequality and poverty. Poor people have fewer opportunities to eat well, reduce their stress levels or keep a social distance in this Covid-19 crisis.”
“Following general health guidelines is the best step toward keeping the immune system strong and healthy - this includes healthy eating, exercising regularly, controlling stress and blood pressure levels, avoiding smoking and drinking alcohol and ensuring you get enough sleep.”
You can read the full research paper on the Nepal Journals Online website.
Visit the BU Research Blog to read more of Professor van Teijlingen’s research.
