Evaluation of LPG Use as a Clean Cooking Fuel in South West Cameroon: Findings from Community Surveys from the LPG Adoption in Cameroon Evaluation (Lace) Studies

Abstract

Background: Most households in Cameroon rely on solid fuel for cooking. The government haslaunched a Master Plan to increase LPG use from <20% to 58% by 2035 to address deforestationand energy security issues. To understand how to support communities transition from solid fuelto LPG, LACE surveys assessed household characteristics and perceptions of LPG in different fuelusing groups.Methods: After rapid census, 320 households from rural and peri-urban communities in SWCameroon were randomly selected into 4 fuel-use groups: exclusive LPG (n=51), primary LPG(n=52), mixed LPG and biomass (n=113) and exclusive wood (n=104). Surveys collectedinformation on (i) household characteristics and fuel use practices, (iii) perceptions of LPG and (iv)experience of health issues and burns.Results: Amongst LPG users, distance from retailer (refills) impacted on more exclusive use (travel> 5km: 15% of LPG exclusive/ primary users vs 24% of LPG mixed). Greater income, education anda younger age were associated with increasing LPG use (p<0.05). Perceptions of LPG as a cookingfuel differed by amount of LPG use. 85% of LPG exclusive users reported LPG could be used formost foods compared to 40% of wood exclusive users (p<0.05). Increasing LPG use was associatedwith increased reporting of LPG as a clean and fast fuel and cost was less of an issue. In all groups,LPG was perceived as potentially dangerous (>75% reporting). The occurrence of cough andphlegm was low in all groups, whilst a higher proportion of exclusive wood users reported soreeyes (60% vs 29% (LPG exclusive) p<0.005) and burns (23% vs 10% p=0.007) .Conclusion: Potential barriers to adoption and more exclusive use of LPG include its perceivedability to cook most foods, perceptions over its safety and distance from retail outlets. Householdincome is a strong indicator of usage. Education strategies (health and safety) and financialsupport mechanisms (e.g. microfinance) could help scaling LPG adoption