Tobacco and Poverty: Research and Capacity Building

Introduction

This project seeks to increase knowledge and awareness of the relationship between tobacco and poverty in selected countries, while identifying similarities and differences in each that could be applicable elsewhere in the region and throughout the world. The project complements and builds on earlier research undertaken by HealthBridge and its partners, and will reflect new issues and realities that have since emerged while expanding the cadre of researchers and organizations with skills to undertake research for advocacy.

Objectives

The objectives of this project are:

• To increase the capacity of existing researchers to address issues of tobacco and poverty through research for advocacy.
• To increase government, civil society, and media attention to the tobacco-poverty connection to support the development and implementation of improved tobacco control policies.
• To foster global coherence and collaboration around tobacco and poverty.

Results

A number of achievements have been noted against each objective:

Objective 1: To increase the capacity of existing researchers to address issues of tobacco and poverty through research for advocacy

• Four research projects have been undertaken (one each in Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, and Vietnam), with research teams in each country gaining new or strengthening existing skills on an ongoing basis.
• Draft research protocols/ guidelines manual have been developed, translated into Spanish and French, and shared with researchers for comment and review.
• An overall monitoring and evaluation document has been developed, which includes performance indicators.
• Ongoing assessment of progress is undertaken through a review of monthly progress reports.
• Skills building undertaken through mentoring via email exchange, via telephone, and in-person, is ongoing. Skills building has addressed proposal development, designing and implementing the research studies, and preparing reports. Skill building and mentoring is being provided both by HealthBridge staff and by experts in Latin America.
• A network listserv has been created and information sharing is taking place through regular email digests. The research partners use the listserv to share research challenges, questions, and results.

 

Objective 2: To increase government, civil society, and media attention to the tobacco-poverty connection to support the development and implementation of improved tobacco control policies

• Research results to date presented at the World Lung Conference in Cancun in December 2009, this increased awareness among audience members of the issues relevant to tobacco and poverty in Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, and Vietnam.
• Capacity-building workshop held for potential Latin American researchers.
• Research project completed in five districts in Bangladesh assessing Bidi Production and Use in Bangladesh. Includes quantitative and qualitative research. Factsheet finalized and presentations made. The final results dissemination seminar attracted the participation of a range of important agencies, including various large local organizations not previously working on tobacco control, and government agencies; the seminar was also highlighted in the media, thereby bringing much attention to the issue. A WHO presentation highlighted innovativeness and importance of the research.
• Research on the Production of Bidi across different regions of India: The economics, poverty and working conditions of those employed in the industry completed in India. The research project has created much awareness among the bidi workers, tendu leaf pluckers, and tobacco farmers in the states of Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh with regard to tobacco as a development issue and how it is contributing to household and state-level poverty.
• Secondary Data Analysis: The Relationship between Tobacco Use, Child Health, & Poverty in Indonesia completed. The research results were used during a talk show interview to highlight the linkage between tobacco and poverty. Factsheet developed and disseminated; other materials produced and disseminated include buttons, notebooks, banners, and a poster. Four presentations were made on the theme of "Tobacco, poverty and the lost generation" at the Indonesian National Conference on Health Promotion. Research results disseminated both to parliamentarians (to gain support for tobacco control measures) and to the broader public through an open seminar.
• Literature Review: Tobacco and Poverty in Vietnam completed, and includes indepth interviews with key stakeholders. Fact sheet developed and disseminated.
• Abstracts from all partners accepted for presentation at upcoming Asia Pacific Conference on Tobacco or Health.
• Five new projects funded in Mexico, Argentina, Honduras, Peru and francophone Africa (one project that covers Cameroon, Senegal, and Mali).
• Proposal being developed for work in Brazil.

 

Objective 3: To foster global coherence and collaboration around tobacco and poverty

• Research network created of existing and new researchers engaged in tobacco and poverty; network expanded as new researchers express interest in joining. Listserv used as primary mode of communication.
• Capacity building and information sharing workshops organized and held in Mexico in December 2009, leading to increased interest in exploring tobacco and poverty issues in Latin America.
• Abstracts submitted and accepted for presentation of final results from first 4 research teams at upcoming APACT.
• Plans underway for presentation of Latin American and African results at upcoming COP meeting in Uruguay.
• Mentoring undertaken through telephone and face-to-face meetings and via email.

For more details on these and other results, please see the most recent project report:
Narrative and Summary Report
Appendix 1 - Tabac et pauvreté recherche de lignes directrices dun plaidoyer (ebauche)
Appendix 2 - Tobacco and Poverty Research Network Emails
Appendix 3 - Bagladesh Final Narrative Report
Appendix 4 - India Final Narrative Report
Appendix 5 - India Final Research Report
Appendix 6 - Indonesia Final Narrative Report
Appendix 7 - Vietnam Final Research Report

Lessons Learned

Each of the project teams learned valuable lessons in the design and implementation of tobacco and poverty research, particularly related to the attempts by the tobacco industry to interfere with the primary research among tobacco workers.

Recommendations

No recommendations have yet been made.