By Varvara Parilova (PhD candidate, RISE Russian team)
The RISE project aims to promote international cooperation and scientific growth. In this regard, we planned to hold one project meeting at the beginning of each year, with participation of all teams and hosted each year in one of the three participating countries. But then the pandemic happened, and travel became risky and complicated. However, after much deliberation, the Russian team decided to visit our Thai colleagues for a training workshop in November 2021 (1st year of the project). During the 2nd year of the project our team has to conduct food frequency questionnaires, 24-hr dietary recall interviews and collect blood samples and anthropometric data from the residents of the local communities we are studying in the Sakha case study to assess dietary and health status. We also will collect food samples for nutritional analysis. Data collection is a complex process, on which the quality of research depends and for which specially trained researchers are needed. Therefore, observing all safety precautions, having been vaccinated, insured, spending more than 7 days in quarantine and passing several PCR-tests, our Russian delegation of three people arrived in Bangkok :)
Our team consisted of three researchers: the team leader - economist Tuyara Gavrileva, and two early career researchers (PhD candidates): biologist/ecologist Vyacheslav Gabyshev, and sociologist Varvara Parilova (that's me!). We arrived in Thailand in November. November in Yakutia is the beginning of winter, so it was unusual for us to arrive in 30-degree heat. When we arrived at the hotel, the receptionist handed us greeting cards from our colleagues at Mahidol University.
November 15, 2021 - On the first day, we learned how to collect samples for nutritional analysis. Professor Sueppong from Mahidol University and his student gave us a sample preparation master class.
Photo: Food sample preparation master class. As part of the preparation, samples were homogenized using a blender.
Photo: The Russian team in action! Vyacheslav prepares the fish to take a sample.
November 16, 2021 - On the second day we focused on anthropometric data collection. First, we had a theoretical class, where we studied advantages and limitations of anthropometric assessment as well as interpretation and standardization of collected data. Then we moved on to the most interesting part - the practice!
Photo: Lecture on anthropometric assessment and data collection.
Photos: Practicing how to measure weight and height of a person. After measuring one of the researchers, we moved on to measuring a group of volunteers. Everyone was busy practicing, so we forgot to make good photos :)
November 17, 2021 - The third day of the workshop was very eventful. We learned from Prof. Tippawan Pongcharoen how to conduct a food frequency questionnaire and a 24-hr dietary recall interview.
Photos: Professor Pongcharoen explains us how we can make 24-hour recall easier and more understandable for respondents. To help them accurately remember portion sizes of food they consumed, we show various plates and cutlery as reference. It is also good to use real-size photos of food.
Photo: An example of the type of 24-dietary recall form that we will adapt for using in the interviews with respondents from Yakutia to be conducted during the field research in April-May 2022.
November 18, 2021 - The fourth day of the workshop was devoted to the collection of biochemical data. We are not health professionals, so we could not be trained to take blood samples, measure blood pressure, etc. That will be done by qualified personnel from NEFU Medical Institute. Instead, we received a lot of information about data collection management, we understood what tools our medical staff will need and how to support and comfort respondents before the collection of samples.
After lunch that day, we held a meeting with Thai colleagues, where we discussed some practical issues of conducting research. We have very different study cases, so it was useful to check if we are on the same page and understand how the Thai team sees RISE project.
As our team leader Prof. Tuyara Gavrilyeva describes it, this workshop was a wonderful and fruitful experience for all of us that “gave the Russian team not only practical skills, but also an understanding of the amount of work entrusted to the Thai team. We plunged into a new research area, in which our colleagues show world-class results. The warm welcome given by our colleagues left the most vivid memories. For our part, we, the Russian team, will do our best for the successful implementation of the RISE project”.
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