Factors predisposing women and children to indoor air pollution in Trans Nzoia County, Kenya

Abstract

Background: Indoor air pollution (IAP) is an increasing public health hazard in developing countries. Although fuelwood and kerosene are still heavily relied on as energy sources among households in the Sub-Saharan Africa, little information is available concerning the predisposing factors. The aim of this study was to establish the factors predisposing women and children to IAP and their health outcomes among residents of Trans Nzoia County, Kenya. Methods: In this cross-sectional survey, a structured questionnaire was used to collect information on effects of IAP from 252 women respondents drawn from 14 villages. Households were the sampling units and the woman of the household with/or in custody of a child aged less than 5 years old selected as respondents. Results: Mean age of respondents was 36.49 years, (95% CI [35.5, 37.5]), with most (81.3%) being able to read. Most (64.5%) houses were semi permanent, and in good condition. Up to 58.6% of households had average kitchen size of approximately 5.6 m2 , with most (84.5%) kitchens being located in separate building from main house. Majority the women (92.0%) and children (95.4%) had coughs of varying intensities during the year, while 31.5% of the women reported wheezing, and 98% experienced headaches. Wood and kerosene were the most preferred fuel types for cooking (96.8%) and lighting (97.4%), respectively. Smoke from the wood was identified as the dominant (96.8%) source of IAP. Education level, occupation, and family income were significantly associated with presence of eave spaces (p ≤ 0.05). In addition, the indoor concentration was negatively associated with ventilation, education and semi-permanent buildings. Conclusions: Supporting the impoverished households and increasing their level of awareness on healtheffects of IAP occasioned by use of biomass fuel while cooking indoors may be the first step in implementing a programme aimed at reducing exposure among rural households in Trans Nzoia County