| Influence of cooking and heating fuel use on 1-59 month old mortality in South Africa |
| Authors: |
Wichmann J, and Voyi KV. |
| Source: |
Maternal and Child Health Journal, 10(6):553-561. |
| Topic(s): |
Childhood mortality
Household solid fuel use
Infant mortality
Pollution
|
| Country: |
Africa
South Africa
|
| Published: |
NOV 2006 |
| Abstract: |
Dependence on polluting fuels (wood, coal, crop residues, animal dung, paraffin) for cooking and heating exposes countless women and young children in developing countries to elevated air pollution concentration indoors. This study explored the connection between polluting fuel use for cooking and heating with childhood (<5 years) acute lower respitory infections (LRIs) in South Africa. Analysis is based on data from 4679 children loving in 2651 households collected during the 1998 South Africa Demographic and Health Survey. Cases were defined as those who experienced cough accompanied by short, rapid breathing during the two weeks prior to the survey. Logistic regression was applied to estimate the odds of suffering from acute LRI among children from households using polluting fuels in combination with electricity pr liquid petroleum gas/natural gas for cooking and heating relative to those using electricity pr liquid petroleum gas/natural gas exclusively , after controlling for potentially confounding factors. Two-thirds of children lived in households using polluting fuels. Nineteen percent suffered from acute LRI. After adjustment, children in households using polluting fuels in combination with electricity or liquid petroleum gas/natural gas for cooking and heating were 27% more likely to have an cute LRI event than children from households using cleaner fuels exclusively (OR 1.27; CI: 1.05-1.55). Although there is a potential for residual confounding despite adjustment, international evidence o indoor air pollution ad acute LRI suggests that this association may be real. As nearly half of households in South Africa still rely on polluting fuels, the attributable risk arising from this association, if confirmed, could be substantial. It is trusted that more detailed analytical intervention studies will scrutinize these results in order to develop integrated intervention programmes to reduce children’s exposure to air pollution emanating from cooking and heating fuels. |
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