Household air pollution and household health in Uganda

Abstract

ABSTRACT We investigate the impact of household air pollution on household health outcomes using the Uganda National Household Survey (2017) and employ a probit model with selection. Results reveal that exposure to household air pollution is significantly associated with cough and fever incidences among household members, with the young ones being more vulnerable. Also, low education level of household head, cooking indoors in a living house, and poverty significantly increases chances of contracting cough and fever. Also, findings show that having a separate indoor built kitchen, high education, being male, residing in urban areas and staying in the northern and western regions significantly reduce the likelihood of contracting cough and fever. Thus, strategies for behavioural interventions such as promoting outdoor cooking and raising awareness of the health hazards associated with household air pollution, good household planning and adoption of clean fuel could be a promising path for policy makers.