Grantee Research Project Results
2015 Progress Report: From Home to School: Tribal Indoor Air Quality Intervention Study
EPA Grant Number: R835596Title: From Home to School: Tribal Indoor Air Quality Intervention Study
Investigators: Shaughnessy, Richard J , Khan, Sohail
Institution: University of Tulsa , Navajo Nation - EPA and Dept. of Diné Education , Nimiipuu Health , Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals , University of Oklahoma , Cherokee Nation Environmental Program and Health Services
Current Institution: University of Tulsa , Cherokee Nation Environmental Program and Health Services , Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals , Navajo Nation - EPA and Dept. of Diné Education , Nimiipuu Health , University of Oklahoma
EPA Project Officer: Hahn, Intaek
Project Period: June 1, 2014 through May 31, 2018
Project Period Covered by this Report: June 1, 2015 through May 31,2016
Project Amount: $919,988
RFA: Science for Sustainable and Healthy Tribes (2013) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Tribal Environmental Health Research , Human Health
Objective:
By improving indoor air quality (IAQ) and reducing environmental asthma triggers this study intends to reduce asthma symptoms related to tribal home-&-school childhood exposures. The study will demonstrate the importance of a total exposure approach based on traditional ecological knowledge (TEK). TEK from three tribes in different regions/climates will refine education, source control of allergens by targeted cleaning and other asthma trigger removal activities, ventilation and air cleaning interventions that reduce asthma triggers.
Research Approach: Observational pre-test/post-test study with matched case-control to determine impact of asthma trigger reduction interventions on asthma symptom days. The interventions are based on developing a deeper understanding and respect for the living and non-living interactions in and between school and home environments that is the hallmark of TEK. The attention to both school and home environments will embody a more complete profile of total exposure of the tribal children throughout the day.
Expected Results: The number of days that tribal school children with asthma are absent from school each year are expected to decrease 45% or 2.5 days because of fewer asthma symptom days.
Progress Summary:
Completed Phase 2 data collection with Cherokee Nation and Nez Perce Tribe. With Cherokee Nation 12 public schools and 94 families participated in the study. With Nez Perce Tribe 4 public schools and 25 families participated in the study. Asthma trigger samples and observations were made three times over the course of the 2015-2016 school year in study participants homes and study schools. Data collection was done in the late Summer/early Fall, Winter, and late Spring/early Summer seasons. Navajo Nation data collection will occur in Year 3.
Future Activities:
The project moves to Phases 3 & 4—data analysis and development of outreach and training materials. Phase 2 data collection for Navajo Nation extends into Year 3. Analysis will include: final data input and compilation, QA checks for data entry accuracy including logic and descriptive statistics checks of data normalcy, data analysis and development of findings. Outreach and training activities will include work with Institute of Tribal Environmental Professionals (ITEP) to develop materials and presentations to convey findings and recommendations to tribes across the United States. In addition, development of papers for conferences and journals will start in Phase 4 and continue to Phase 5 dissemination of results. Conference presentations will include ITEP annual conference and the Navajo Nation Human Research Review Board Bi-Annual Research Conference.
Journal Articles:
No journal articles submitted with this report: View all 10 publications for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
Airborne contaminants, student attendance, cleaning, Q Method, ANCOVA, ATP, dust sampling, schools, asthma, allergens, Cherokee Nation, Navajo Nation, Nez Perce Tribe, Nimiipuu, Oklahoma, New Mexico, IdahoProgress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.