Katherine E Woolley1, Tusubira Bagambe1, Ajit Singh2, William R Avis3, Telesphore Kabera4, Abel Weldetinsae5, Shelton T Mariga6, Bruce Kirenga6, Francis D Pope2, G Neil Thomas1, Suzanne E Bartington1. 1. Institute of Applied Health Research, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK. 2. School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK. 3. International Development Department, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK. 4. College of Science and Technology, University of Rwanda, Avenue de l'Armee P.O. Box 3900, Rwanda. 5. Ethiopian Public Health Institute, Addis Ababa P.O. Box 1242, Ethiopia. 6. Makerere University Lung Institute, College of Health Sciences, Mulago Hospital, Kampala P.O. Box 7749, Uganda.
Abstract
Background: Household air pollution associated with biomass (wood, dung, charcoal, and crop residue) burning for cooking is estimated to contribute to approximately 4 million deaths each year worldwide, with the greatest burden seen in low and middle-income countries. We investigated the relationship between solid fuel type and respiratory symptoms in Uganda, where 96% of households use biomass as the primary domestic fuel. Materials and Methods: Cross-sectional study of 15,405 pre-school aged children living in charcoal or wood-burning households in Uganda, using data from the 2016 Demographic and Health Survey. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify the associations between occurrence of a cough, shortness of breath, fever, acute respiratory infection (ARI) and severe ARI with cooking fuel type (wood, charcoal); with additional sub-analyses by contextual status (urban, rural). Results: After adjustment for household and individual level confounding factors, wood fuel use was associated with increased risk of shortness of breath (AOR: 1.33 [1.10-1.60]), fever (AOR: 1.26 [1.08-1.48]), cough (AOR: 1.15 [1.00-1.33]), ARI (AOR: 1.36 [1.11-1.66] and severe ARI (AOR: 1.41 [1.09-1.85]), compared to charcoal fuel. In urban areas, Shortness of breath (AOR: 1.84 [1.20-2.83]), ARI (AOR: 1.77 [1.10-2.79]) and in rural areas ARI (AOR: 1.23 [1.03-1.47]) and risk of fever (AOR: 1.23 [1.03-1.47]) were associated with wood fuel usage. Conclusions: Risk of respiratory symptoms was higher among children living in wood compared to charcoal fuel-burning households, with policy implications for mitigation of associated harmful health impacts.
Background: Household air pollution associated with biomass (wood, dung, charcoal, and crop residue) burning for cooking is estimated to contribute to approximately 4 million deaths each year worldwide, with the greatest burden seen in low and middle-income countries. We investigated the relationship between solid fuel type and respiratory symptoms in Uganda, where 96% of households use biomass as the primary domestic fuel. Materials and Methods: Cross-sectional study of 15,405 pre-school aged children living in charcoal or wood-burning households in Uganda, using data from the 2016 Demographic and Health Survey. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify the associations between occurrence of a cough, shortness of breath, fever, acute respiratory infection (ARI) and severe ARI with cooking fuel type (wood, charcoal); with additional sub-analyses by contextual status (urban, rural). Results: After adjustment for household and individual level confounding factors, wood fuel use was associated with increased risk of shortness of breath (AOR: 1.33 [1.10-1.60]), fever (AOR: 1.26 [1.08-1.48]), cough (AOR: 1.15 [1.00-1.33]), ARI (AOR: 1.36 [1.11-1.66] and severe ARI (AOR: 1.41 [1.09-1.85]), compared to charcoal fuel. In urban areas, Shortness of breath (AOR: 1.84 [1.20-2.83]), ARI (AOR: 1.77 [1.10-2.79]) and in rural areas ARI (AOR: 1.23 [1.03-1.47]) and risk of fever (AOR: 1.23 [1.03-1.47]) were associated with wood fuel usage. Conclusions: Risk of respiratory symptoms was higher among children living in wood compared to charcoal fuel-burning households, with policy implications for mitigation of associated harmful health impacts.
Authors: Winnifred K Kansiime; Richard K Mugambe; Edwinah Atusingwize; Solomon T Wafula; Vincent Nsereko; Tonny Ssekamatte; Aisha Nalugya; Eric Stephen Coker; John C Ssempebwa; John Bosco Isunju Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2022-09-12 Impact factor: 4.135
Authors: Joshua Epuitai; Katherine E Woolley; Suzanne E Bartington; G Neil Thomas Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-04-05 Impact factor: 3.390