The iBhayi Environment and Health Study was a collaborative study between the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), Nelson Mandela University, and the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM), conducted from 2015 -2019. The study was done in two sites where approximately 120 households were randomly identified in each using town planning maps of the designated areas. 

Second-year environmental health students served as fieldworkers as part of their experiential training in environmental health research. They conducted interviews in households and over the five years of the project numerous environmental samples were taken. Participation of the students in the study aimed to enhance the skills of environmental health students at Nelson Mandela University and formed an important part of their practical training. The study enabled students to demonstrate communication skills, ethical conduct and social awareness within the reality of urban environmental conditions. Student comments during the preliminary de-briefing sessions indicated that the fieldwork had been a challenging but valuable learning experience

Students were welcomed into households and household members were interested in the study and willing to share personal information and experiences with the student fieldworkers.  The project also raised awareness of the existence of Environmental Health and Environmental Health services that could be available to the communities.

 Student fieldworkers collecting a soil sample and a dust sample.