Abstract
Over half of the world’s population uses biomass fuels; these households cook on open fires indoors, increasing their risk of adverse health effects due to household air pollution (HAP) from biomass combustion. This study evaluated six improved cookstoves (ICS) for effectiveness and acceptability in a rural community in Western Kenya. This paper describes women’s views on each ICS compared to the traditional three-stone fire. Views on stove characteristics, fuel consumption, health effects and acceptability were assessed through structured interviews and focus group discussions. Data were coded and analyzed using a thematic approach. In total, 262 interviews and 11 focus groups were conducted from 43 women. Overall, women preferred the ICS over the traditional three-stone fire for various reasons including ease of use, efficiency, fuel efficiency and perceived reduction in smoke and improved health. However, there were clear preferences for specific ICS with almost half of women preferring a Philips stove. Despite acceptance and use of ICS, women used multiple stoves to meet their daily needs. Qualitative studies are essential to field evaluations to provide insight into user perspectives and acceptability of ICS and to inform research and development of technologies that are both effective in reducing HAP and practical in use.
Highlights
Over half of the world’s population uses biomass fuels for cooking, the majority of whom reside in low- and middle- income countries [1]
Qualitative approaches are essential in field evaluations to provide insight into user perspectives and acceptability of improved cookstoves (ICS) and to inform research and development of technologies that are both effective in reducing household air pollution (HAP) and practical in use
45 households participated in the study: 7 households received all 6 of the study stoves, 30 received 5 stoves, and the remaining 8 households received 2–4 stoves [9]
Summary
Over half of the world’s population uses biomass fuels (e.g., wood, dung, crop residues, charcoal) for cooking, the majority of whom reside in low- and middle- income countries [1]. Many of these households cook on open fires indoors, often in spaces with little ventilation, increasing their risk of adverse health effects due to household air pollution (HAP) from biomass combustion. Women and children often bear the additional burden of collecting biomass for daily use, hindering their opportunities for education and development [3]. Biomass fuel collection is unsustainable in the longer term and leads to further deforestation and climate change issues [4]
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