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Investigating the Association between Wood and Charcoal Domestic Cooking, Respiratory Symptoms and Acute Respiratory Infections among Children Aged Under 5 Years in Uganda: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of the 2016 Demographic and Health Survey

Author

Listed:
  • Katherine E. Woolley

    (Institute of Applied Health Research, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
    Joint first author.)

  • Tusubira Bagambe

    (Institute of Applied Health Research, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
    Joint first author.)

  • Ajit Singh

    (School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK)

  • William R. Avis

    (International Development Department, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK)

  • Telesphore Kabera

    (College of Science and Technology, University of Rwanda, Avenue de l’Armee P.O. Box 3900, Rwanda)

  • Abel Weldetinsae

    (Ethiopian Public Health Institute, Addis Ababa P.O. Box 1242, Ethiopia)

  • Shelton T. Mariga

    (Makerere University Lung Institute, College of Health Sciences, Mulago Hospital, Kampala P.O. Box 7749, Uganda)

  • Bruce Kirenga

    (Makerere University Lung Institute, College of Health Sciences, Mulago Hospital, Kampala P.O. Box 7749, Uganda)

  • Francis D. Pope

    (School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK)

  • G. Neil Thomas

    (Institute of Applied Health Research, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK)

  • Suzanne E. Bartington

    (Institute of Applied Health Research, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Katherine E. Woolley & Tusubira Bagambe & Ajit Singh & William R. Avis & Telesphore Kabera & Abel Weldetinsae & Shelton T. Mariga & Bruce Kirenga & Francis D. Pope & G. Neil Thomas & Suzanne E. Bartin, 2020. "Investigating the Association between Wood and Charcoal Domestic Cooking, Respiratory Symptoms and Acute Respiratory Infections among Children Aged Under 5 Years in Uganda: A Cross-Sectional Analysis ," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-14, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:11:p:3974-:d:367074
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Nórgia Elsa Machava & Fhumulani Mavis Mulaudzi & Elsa Maria Salvador, 2022. "Household Factors of Foodborne Diarrhea in Children under Five in Two Districts of Maputo, Mozambique," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-12, November.
    2. Zubaidah Al-Janabi & Katherine E. Woolley & G. Neil Thomas & Suzanne E. Bartington, 2021. "A Cross-Sectional Analysis of the Association between Domestic Cooking Energy Source Type and Respiratory Infections among Children Aged under Five Years: Evidence from Demographic and Household Surve," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-17, August.
    3. Daniel B. Odo & Ian A. Yang & Luke D. Knibbs, 2021. "A Systematic Review and Appraisal of Epidemiological Studies on Household Fuel Use and Its Health Effects Using Demographic and Health Surveys," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-31, February.
    4. Joshua Epuitai & Katherine E. Woolley & Suzanne E. Bartington & G. Neil Thomas, 2022. "Association between Wood and Other Biomass Fuels and Risk of Low Birthweight in Uganda: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of 2016 Uganda Demographic and Health Survey Data," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(7), pages 1-14, April.

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