Abstract
Global efforts are underway to develop and promote improved cookstoves which may reduce the negative health and environmental effects of burning solid fuels on health and the environment. Behavioral studies have considered cookstove user practices, needs and preferences in the design and implementation of cookstove projects; however, these studies have not examined the implications of the traditional stove use and design across multiple resource-poor settings in the implementation and promotion of improved cookstove projects that utilize a single, standardized stove design. We conducted in-depth interviews and direct observations of meal preparation and traditional, open-fire stove use of 137 women aged 20–49 years in Kenya, Peru and Nepal prior in the four-month period preceding installation of an improved cookstove as part of a field intervention trial. Despite general similarities in cooking practices across sites, we identified locally distinct practices and norms regarding traditional stove use and desired stove improvements. Traditional stoves are designed to accommodate specific cooking styles, types of fuel, and available resources for maintenance and renovation. The tailored stoves allow users to cook and repair their stoves easily. Women in each setting expressed their desire for a new stove, but they articulated distinct specific alterations that would meet their needs and preferences. Improved cookstove designs need to consider the diversity of values and needs held by potential users, presenting a significant challenge in identifying a “one size fits all” improved cookstove design. Our data show that a single stove design for use with locally available biomass fuels will not meet the cooking demands and resources available across the three sites. Moreover, locally produced or adapted improved cookstoves may be needed to meet the cooking needs of diverse populations while addressing health and environmental concerns of traditional stoves.
Highlights
IntroductionApproximately 2.4 billion people rely on burning solid fuels (wood, dung, crop residue, garbage, or coal) for cooking, heating and lighting [1]
Approximately 2.4 billion people rely on burning solid fuels for cooking, heating and lighting [1]
Using multiple qualitative research methods embedded within a larger trial of improved cookstoves [37], we investigated how women in Peru, Nepal and Kenya use and view traditional, open-fire cookstoves in the pre-intervention period
Summary
Approximately 2.4 billion people rely on burning solid fuels (wood, dung, crop residue, garbage, or coal) for cooking, heating and lighting [1]. Combustion of these fuels releases smoke and toxins, such as carbon monoxide and particulate matter, that are associated with both acute and chronic negative health outcomes [2,3,4], including respiratory- and vision-related illnesses [1,5], heart rate variability [6], low birth weight and cancer [7]. Organization has estimated that 1.5 million women and children living in the developing world die each year due to household air pollution [3]. Improved technologies are defined by decreasing household air pollution, improving fuel economy and user convenience [15]
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