Adoption of innovative energy efficiency pots to enhance sustained use of clean cooking with gas in resource-poor households in Kenya: Perceptions from participants of a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

BackgroundScaling up clean cooking is a priority to address the substantial health burden from exposure to household air pollution resulting from burning of polluting fuels. The costs of cooking equipment and fuel, as well as cooking behaviors, may present barriers to adoption and sustained use of clean cooking. This paper reports novel qualitative findings from a Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) evaluating the effects of innovative energy-efficient cooking pots on sustained use of LPG for the first time in a low and middle-income setting. MethodSemi-structured interviews (SSIs) were conducted with 22 of 200 cooks (LPG primary users) from an informal settlement in Nairobi, participating in the RCT. Data were analysed through thematic analysis. ResultsReported benefits of the enhanced pots (compared to standard pots), included perceived fuel and time savings and prestige. Findings also indicate participants' willingness to pay for the pots and ways to support their scale. ConclusionThis study highlights the potential for energy-efficient pots in facilitating sustained/exclusive clean cooking with LPG and their ability to meet all cooking needs. This is relevant to informing commercial scalability of energy-efficient cookware in the local Kenyan market.