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Women’s Ideas about the Health Effects of Household Air Pollution, Developed through Focus Group Discussions and Artwork in Southern Nepal

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  • Delan Devakumar

    (Institute for Global Health, University College London, 30 Guilford St, London WC1N 1EH, UK)

  • Zeshan Qureshi

    (Institute for Global Health, University College London, 30 Guilford St, London WC1N 1EH, UK)

  • Jenevieve Mannell

    (Institute for Global Health, University College London, 30 Guilford St, London WC1N 1EH, UK)

  • Manju Baruwal

    (Mother and Infant Research Activities, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal)

  • Neha Sharma

    (Mother and Infant Research Activities, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal)

  • Eva Rehfuess

    (Institute of Medical Information Processing, Biometry and Epidemiology, Pettenkofer School of Public Health, LMU Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany)

  • Naomi M. Saville

    (Institute for Global Health, University College London, 30 Guilford St, London WC1N 1EH, UK)

  • Dharma S. Manandhar

    (Mother and Infant Research Activities, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal)

  • David Osrin

    (Institute for Global Health, University College London, 30 Guilford St, London WC1N 1EH, UK)

Abstract

Household air pollution is a major cause of ill health, but few solutions have been effective to date. While many quantitative studies have been conducted, few have explored the lived experiences and perceptions of women who do the cooking, and as a result are those most exposed to household air pollution. In this study, we worked with groups of home cooks, and sought to use art as a means of engaging them in discussions of how household air pollution from cooking affects their lives. In the Terai district of southern Nepal, we held four focus groups that included 26 local women from urban and peri-urban areas, as well as six local artists. The women then met approximately weekly over four months, and produced images related to air pollution. Transcripts from the focus groups were reviewed independently by two authors, who initially categorised data deductively to pre-defined nodes, and subsequently inductively reviewed emergent themes. Women identified a number of health effects from air pollution. The main physical effects related to the eye and the respiratory system, and women and young children were seen as most vulnerable. The psychosocial effects of air pollution included reduced food intake by women and lethargy. Suggested solutions included modifications to the cooking process, changing the location of stoves, and increasing ventilation. The main barriers were financial. The lived experiences of women in southern Nepal around the problem of air pollution offers a more nuanced and context-specific understanding of the perceptions and challenges of addressing air pollution, which can be used to inform future interventions.

Suggested Citation

  • Delan Devakumar & Zeshan Qureshi & Jenevieve Mannell & Manju Baruwal & Neha Sharma & Eva Rehfuess & Naomi M. Saville & Dharma S. Manandhar & David Osrin, 2018. "Women’s Ideas about the Health Effects of Household Air Pollution, Developed through Focus Group Discussions and Artwork in Southern Nepal," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-13, February.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:15:y:2018:i:2:p:248-:d:129868
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Chen Chen & Scott Zeger & Patrick Breysse & Joanne Katz & William Checkley & Frank C Curriero & James M Tielsch, 2016. "Estimating Indoor PM2.5 and CO Concentrations in Households in Southern Nepal: The Nepal Cookstove Intervention Trials," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(7), pages 1-17, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Mulugeta Tamire & Adamu Addissie & Susann Skovbjerg & Rune Andersson & Mona Lärstad, 2018. "Socio-Cultural Reasons and Community Perceptions Regarding Indoor Cooking Using Biomass Fuel and Traditional Stoves in Rural Ethiopia: A Qualitative Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-15, September.
    2. Nikola Zaric & Velibor Spalevic & Nikola Bulatovic & Nikola Pavlicevic & Branislav Dudic, 2021. "Measurement of Air Pollution Parameters in Montenegro Using the Ecomar System," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(12), pages 1-21, June.

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