About 20 secondary school students in Lagos have received training on asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and general lung health as part of activities marking World Lung Day.

The programme, held at Anthony Secondary School, Anthony, Lagos, was organised by Equitable Respiratory Health in Africa (EQUI-RESP. AFRICA), in partnership with the Centre for 21st Century Issues and Education District II, Lagos State.

The organisers said early education could help students recognise respiratory conditions, reduce stigma, support peers living with asthma and make informed choices to protect their lungs.

Speaking at the event, Executive Director, Centre for 21st Century Issues, Titilope Akose, said the initiative was designed to improve awareness of respiratory diseases among young people and other stakeholders.

Akose said the programme had also been extended to nurses, while plans were underway to train media practitioners and other stakeholders on respiratory health.

She said a key lesson for the students was how to respond when someone suffers an asthma attack, including providing basic first aid before professional medical assistance arrives.

According to her, teachers also needed such knowledge because they were usually the adults closest to students during school hours.

“The take-home for the students is for them to know what to do when they see anyone under asthma attack, such as the first aid they need to give to the victim,” she said.

Akose said the organisers planned to extend the programme to other education districts in Lagos State, subject to funding.

She also called for greater awareness of the Child Rights Law of Lagos State, saying children, parents and teachers needed to understand children’s rights and available channels for seeking protection.

Co-Principal Investigator, EQUI-RESP. AFRICA project, Prof. Obianuju Ozoh, said the project was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), United Kingdom, through the University of Edinburgh and the University of Lagos.

Ozoh, of the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, said community engagement and stakeholder involvement were key components of the project.

She said the students were taught about the functions of the lungs, factors that could damage them and measures to maintain good respiratory health.

According to her, smoking and exposure to air pollution could damage the lungs, while physical activity and other healthy practices could help protect respiratory health.

A pulmonologist and respiratory physician, Dr Ayo Oladunni, said the training was designed to equip students with knowledge to maintain healthy lungs throughout their lives.

She said asthma was among the important respiratory conditions young people needed to understand because of its prevalence and potential impact on their quality of life.