Household Air Pollution Intervention Implications: Findings from Qualitative Studies and a Field Trial of Clean Cookstoves in Two Rural Villages in India

Exposure to household air pollution is estimated to be the 3rd largest contributor to the global burden of disease and the largest contributor in South Asia. Unacceptability of improved cook stoves by the intended user has been identified as a crucial factor hindering uptake and sustained use. We co...

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Main Authors: Ashraful Alam, Nanda Tawale, Archana Patel, Michael J. Dibley, Sunil Jadhao, Camille Raynes-Greenow
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2016-09-01
Series:International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/13/9/893
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spelling doaj-f9d6500662e44f5bb33d5ff21d8f8f602020-11-25T00:53:16ZengMDPI AGInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health1660-46012016-09-0113989310.3390/ijerph13090893ijerph13090893Household Air Pollution Intervention Implications: Findings from Qualitative Studies and a Field Trial of Clean Cookstoves in Two Rural Villages in IndiaAshraful Alam0Nanda Tawale1Archana Patel2Michael J. Dibley3Sunil Jadhao4Camille Raynes-Greenow5Sydney School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Sydney 2006, AustraliaLata Medical Research Foundation, Nagpur 440022, Maharashtra, IndiaLata Medical Research Foundation, Nagpur 440022, Maharashtra, IndiaSydney School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Sydney 2006, AustraliaLata Medical Research Foundation, Nagpur 440022, Maharashtra, IndiaSydney School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Sydney 2006, AustraliaExposure to household air pollution is estimated to be the 3rd largest contributor to the global burden of disease and the largest contributor in South Asia. Unacceptability of improved cook stoves by the intended user has been identified as a crucial factor hindering uptake and sustained use. We conducted a qualitative study to understand the socio-cultural factors that influence acceptance of improved cookstoves and conducted a systematic field trial in two rural villages in Maharashtra, India. The qualitative study used semi-structured in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. We included women primarily responsible for household cooking, their husbands, senior women in their households, and community health workers. We also conducted kitchen observations. The results indicated low awareness and knowledge of the health risks associated with traditional cookstove use although high prevalence of household air pollution (HAP) exposure symptoms among all groups. Women were resigned to using traditional cookstoves although they did not like them. The field trial findings were dominated by responses concerned with convenience and health advantages. We identify important issues to be considered when introducing an improved cookstove programme that will increase acceptability and potentially sustained used of improved cookstoves.http://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/13/9/893air pollutionfocus groupscookingfamily characteristicsAsiaIndia
collection DOAJ
language English
format Article
sources DOAJ
author Ashraful Alam
Nanda Tawale
Archana Patel
Michael J. Dibley
Sunil Jadhao
Camille Raynes-Greenow
spellingShingle Ashraful Alam
Nanda Tawale
Archana Patel
Michael J. Dibley
Sunil Jadhao
Camille Raynes-Greenow
Household Air Pollution Intervention Implications: Findings from Qualitative Studies and a Field Trial of Clean Cookstoves in Two Rural Villages in India
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
air pollution
focus groups
cooking
family characteristics
Asia
India
author_facet Ashraful Alam
Nanda Tawale
Archana Patel
Michael J. Dibley
Sunil Jadhao
Camille Raynes-Greenow
author_sort Ashraful Alam
title Household Air Pollution Intervention Implications: Findings from Qualitative Studies and a Field Trial of Clean Cookstoves in Two Rural Villages in India
title_short Household Air Pollution Intervention Implications: Findings from Qualitative Studies and a Field Trial of Clean Cookstoves in Two Rural Villages in India
title_full Household Air Pollution Intervention Implications: Findings from Qualitative Studies and a Field Trial of Clean Cookstoves in Two Rural Villages in India
title_fullStr Household Air Pollution Intervention Implications: Findings from Qualitative Studies and a Field Trial of Clean Cookstoves in Two Rural Villages in India
title_full_unstemmed Household Air Pollution Intervention Implications: Findings from Qualitative Studies and a Field Trial of Clean Cookstoves in Two Rural Villages in India
title_sort household air pollution intervention implications: findings from qualitative studies and a field trial of clean cookstoves in two rural villages in india
publisher MDPI AG
series International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
issn 1660-4601
publishDate 2016-09-01
description Exposure to household air pollution is estimated to be the 3rd largest contributor to the global burden of disease and the largest contributor in South Asia. Unacceptability of improved cook stoves by the intended user has been identified as a crucial factor hindering uptake and sustained use. We conducted a qualitative study to understand the socio-cultural factors that influence acceptance of improved cookstoves and conducted a systematic field trial in two rural villages in Maharashtra, India. The qualitative study used semi-structured in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. We included women primarily responsible for household cooking, their husbands, senior women in their households, and community health workers. We also conducted kitchen observations. The results indicated low awareness and knowledge of the health risks associated with traditional cookstove use although high prevalence of household air pollution (HAP) exposure symptoms among all groups. Women were resigned to using traditional cookstoves although they did not like them. The field trial findings were dominated by responses concerned with convenience and health advantages. We identify important issues to be considered when introducing an improved cookstove programme that will increase acceptability and potentially sustained used of improved cookstoves.
topic air pollution
focus groups
cooking
family characteristics
Asia
India
url http://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/13/9/893
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