The Indian Epidemiological Evidences on Household Air Pollution and Respiratory Health Outcomes

Abstract

Increasing number of evidence is linking household air pollution (HAP) with the respiratory and general health of people. In this context, this study tries to review and synthesize the Indian evidence on exposure to household air pollution and respiratory health outcomes from the epidemiological studies conducted in India. The literature is gathered by searching national and international databases and selected using PRISMA guidelines. Included 11 studies that suggested higher odds of developing respiratory illness in HAP-exposed individuals than the non-exposed ones. Most of the studies focused on respiratory health outcomes following exposure to HAP among women and children. Household air pollution was found to be associated with an increased risk of acute lower respiratory infections in children. Though Indian evidence is limited, household air pollution in combination with increasing ambient air pollution can have a significant health impact on the Indian population. Along with current legislative, administrative, and community efforts, higher individual and collective efforts are essential to reduce the overall impact of household air pollution in Indian settings.