FRESH AIR UGANDA

Free Respiratory Evaluation and Smoke Exposure Reduction Primary Health Care Integrated Groups 

Uganda is a low income country   which shares characteristics with other  Sub-Saharan African countries. Only 12% of Uganda’s population have access to electricity –  falling to 2-6% in rural areas. Biomass fuel which is used extensively: wood fuel in rural areas and charcoal in urban. Rates of tobacco consumption are high amongst men.  There is very low public awareness of the health dangers of smoke.   There is an organised healthcare structure from the village health team to the District Health Officer but the health infrastructure is poor.  Many people have limited access to health care professionals and medicines. 

The FRESH AIR project in Uganda was led by Dr Bruce Kirenga of the Makerere University College of Health Sciences. IPCRG has been working in Uganda since 2010, developing the original FRESH AIR protocols and concepts.  Find out more here, including the original “letters home” from the Principle Investigator of the prevalence survey Frederik van Gemert.