The INTERvening for LUNG Health Trial

Overview

This research study is being done to find out whether a community health volunteer-delivered, multi-component program can improve lung health for people at risk of chronic respiratory diseases (such as asthma or COPD) in Bhaktapur, Nepal. The program focuses on reducing tobacco smoke exposure, reducing indoor and outdoor air pollution exposure, preventing respiratory infections (including vaccination and mask use during viral seasons), and encouraging safe physical activity. The "index participant" is the main enrolled participant in the household who is randomized to the intervention or control arm. The participant will be in the study for about 40 months and will have 11 research visits: one at baseline and then every 4 months through month 40. At visits, staff will do breathing tests (spirometry before and after an inhaled medicine), measure exhaled carbon monoxide, check blood pressure, measure height/weight at selected visits, and ask questions about symptoms, smoking, infections, vaccines, and quality of life. The participant will also wear an activity monitor (accelerometer) for 2 weeks at baseline and at follow-up visits. If individual is a household member (not the index participant), the participant may be asked to complete baseline and follow-up assessments every 4 months through month 40, will receive the influenza vaccine and will primarily be asked to use masks and handwashing during household respiratory illness episodes (only if the index participant is randomized to the intervention) and will not be asked to wear an activity monitor. If the participant is in the pilot phase, participation will last about 2 months. the participant will complete baseline procedures and pilot follow-up visits during those 2 months instead of the full 40-month schedule.

Chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs), including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and chronic bronchitis, represent a major global health challenge, accounting for over 455 million cases and 4 million deaths annually, with the greatest burden in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). INTERvening for LUNG health (INTERLUNG) is a 40-month randomized controlled trial in Bhaktapur, Nepal, aimed at evaluating a multi-component, community health worker (CHW)-driven intervention for CRD prevention, targeting both environmental and infectious risk factors. The intervention integrates tobacco prevention (education, peer support, nicotine replacement therapy, quit lines), reduction of indoor and ambient air pollution (HEPA purifiers, vacuum cleaners, N95 masks for high pollution days), infectious risk mitigation (annual influenza vaccination and a one-time pneumococcal vaccination, surgical mask use during viral seasons or household illness, and handwashing support), and promotion of physical activity. Human-centered design (HCD) workshops and in-depth interviews with community members, healthcare practitioners, government officials, and multilateral organizations conducted in 2025 and early in 2026 informed adaptation to local context, addressing key implementation factors such as partner and community engagement, compatibility, and resource availability. Eight hundred index participants aged 9 years with impaired lung function (10th percentile or lower in FEV1/FVC Z-score) and chronic respiratory symptoms, along with household members, will be randomized to intervention or usual care, with outcomes assessed at 40 months. Clinical outcomes include improvements in lung function (primary outcome) and respiratory health-related quality of life (St. Georges Respiratory Questionnaire); secondary outcomes encompass implementation metrics such as adoption, acceptability, appropriateness, fidelity, and scalability, evaluated through mixed methods including surveys, adherence monitoring, and qualitative interviews. The project leverages a multidisciplinary team with extensive experience in CRD research, implementation science, and community-based interventions in Nepal, and builds on robust infrastructure for population health research and environmental monitoring. By integrating evidence-based strategies for tobacco control, air pollution reduction, vaccination, and physical activity promotion into a scalable CHW-driven model, INTERLUNG addresses critical gaps in CRD prevention and management in LMICs, aligns with global health priorities and Sustainable Development Goals, and provides a framework for future scale-up and policy integration. The anticipated impact includes improved lung function trajectories and quality of life for at-risk populations, enhanced health system capacity for chronic disease management, and generation of actionable data to inform broader implementation of multi-component respiratory health interventions in urban LMIC settings. The intervention is adaptable for both children and adults, reflecting a life-course approach. It also addresses the need for culturally relevant education and training for primary healthcare staff. The inclusion of environmental monitoring and objective adherence measures (e.g., air quality sensors, pedometer logs) will strengthen outcome assessments and inform best practices for future implementation. By focusing on both clinical effectiveness and implementation outcomes, INTERLUNG will provide critical insights into the feasibility, acceptability, and scalability of comprehensive CRD interventions in resource-limited urban settings. The results are expected to inform national and regional policy, support integration into universal health coverage packages, and contribute to the global evidence base for CRD prevention and management in LMICs. Ultimately, INTERLUNG aims to reduce the burden of CRDs, improve respiratory health equity, and advance sustainable health system strengthening in Nepal and similar contexts.