Cooking Place Research Articles

Understanding the determinants of household cooking fuel choice in Afghanistan: A multinomial logit estimation

Cooking energy demand in Afghanistan has mostly fulfilled by traditional energy sources despite availability of health and environment friendly clean energy options internationally. Understanding the determinants of household cooking fuel choice either to prefer clean or traditional energy sources is therefore important to identify policy options for clean energy promotion. For this, a nationally representative household information using Afghanistan Demographic and Household Survey 2015 is analyzed using multinomial logistic regression model. The results show that residence in urban areas, availability of electricity, higher household wealth, high education, married status and separate cooking place positively affect choice of liquefied petroleum-gas as compared to traditional fuels; whereas large family size and aged household head indeed have positive linkages on probability of choosing animal dung as cooking fuel. Robustness of the results shows that wealthy households are more likely to use liquefied petroleum gas and fuel wood compared to poor households, therefore confirm priority for wealth generation. For motivating the rural households to use clean-cooking-fuel, government and other cohorts should put effort on increasing affordability of rural households to clean energy sources through provision and employment opportunities, improving access to electricity and creating awareness about the health and environmental benefits of clean energy.

Household air pollution from cooking and risk of adverse health and birth outcomes in Bangladesh: a nationwide population-based study

BackgroundHousehold air pollution (HAP) from cooking with solid fuels has become a leading cause of death and disability in many developing countries including Bangladesh. We assess the association between HAP and risk of selected adverse birth and maternal health outcomes.MethodsData for this study were extracted from Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey conducted during 2007–2014. Selected adverse birth outcomes were acute respiratory infection (ARI) among children, stillbirth, low birth weight (LBW), under-five mortality, neonatal mortality and infant mortality. Maternal pregnancy complications and cesarean delivery were considered as the adverse maternal health outcomes. Place of cooking, use of solid fuel within the house boundary and in living room were the exposure variables. To examine the association between exposure and outcome variables, we used a series of multiple logistic regression models accounted for complex survey design.ResultsAround 90% of the respondents used solid fuel within the house boundary, 11% of them used solid fuel within the living room. Results of multiple regression indicated that cooking inside the house increased the risk of neonatal mortality (aOR,1.25; 95% CI, 1.02–1.52), infant mortality (aOR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.00–1.40), ARI (aOR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.08–1.33), LBW (aOR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.10–1.43), and cesarean delivery (aOR,1.18; 95% CI, 1.01–1.29). Use of solid fuel, irrespective of cooking places, increased the risk of pregnancy complications (aOR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.19–1.55). Compared to participants who reported cooking outside the house, the risk of ARI, LBW were significantly high among those who performed cooking within the house, irrespective of type of cooking fuel.ConclusionIndoor cooking and use of solid fuel in household increase the risk of ARI, LBW, cesarean delivery, and pregnancy complication. These relationships need further investigation using more direct measures of smoke exposure and clinical measures of health outcomes. The use of clean fuels and structural improvement in household design such as provision of stove ventilation should be encouraged to reduce such adverse health consequences.Trail registrationData related to health were collected by following the guidelines of ICF international and Bangladesh Medical Research Council. The registration number of data collection was 132,989.0.000, and the data-request was registered on March 11, 2015.

Traders’ Perception of Cooking Smoke as a Risk Factor for Childhood Pneumonia

Background: Childhood pneumonia is the foremost killer of under-fives. Indoor air pollution by smoke from cooking fuel is a major risk factor for childhood pneumonia. The knowledge of caregivers about risk factors can facilitate the practice of appropriate preventive measures. This study set out to evaluate the perception of traders about cooking smoke as a risk factor for childhood pneumonia. Methodology: A researcher administered, questionnaire based, cross-sectional study was carried out at a major market in Benin City prior to a market rally to celebrate World Pneumonia Day 2014. The respondents were traders. Information on biodata, place of cooking, fuel for cooking and presence of under-fives in the cooking area of homes of respondents was sought. Results: There were 1374 respondents of which 1192(88.5%) were females. Only 67(4.9%) respondents considered smoke from cooking fuel a risk factor for pneumonia while 99(7.2%) considered avoidance of smoke as a method for preventing pneumonia. Firewood (biomass fuel) was utilized by 272(19.8%) respondents. Respondents with no education were significantly more likely to use firewood (p 0.05. Conclusion: There is poor awareness of smoke as a risk factor for childhood pneumonia while the use of unclean fuel is significant. As part of health education on childhood pneumonia, smoke as a risk factor should be emphasized. Government should make cleaner fuels more available, accessible and affordable. Keywords: Traders, Cooking Smoke, Risk

Handwashing before Food Preparation and Child Feeding: A Missed Opportunity for Hygiene Promotion

Enteric diseases are often caused by poor hygiene and can contribute to stunting. From 50 randomly selected villages in Bangladesh, we collected quantitative and qualitative data on handwashing linked to child feeding to integrate handwashing promotion into a young child complementary feeding program. Most participants stated that the community knew the importance of handwashing with soap before food preparation and feeding a child, but had not developed the habit. We observed no handwashing with soap at these key times; sometimes hands were rinsed with water only. Most participants cited the unavailability of soap and water near the cooking place as a barrier to handwashing before food preparation. Most caregivers ranked nurturing messages as the best motivator to encourage handwashing with soap. An integrated intervention should include having soap and water available near the food preparation area and should use nurturing themes to encourage habitual handwashing with soap.

P2-1 Effect of indoor air pollution from biomass and solid fuel combustion on prevalence of asthma among adult men and women in India

Increasing asthma incidence, prevalence and morbidity over recent decades presents a significant challenge to public health in developing countries. A number of studies have suggested that ambient air pollution can...

The effect of housing characteristics and occupant activities on the respiratory health of women and children in Lao PDR

The paper presents the results of a study conducted into the relationship between dwelling characteristics and occupant activities with the respiratory health of resident women and children in Lao People's Democratic Republic (PDR). Lao is one of the least developed countries in south-east Asia with poor life expectancies and mortality rates. The study, commissioned by the World Health Organisation, included questionnaires delivered to residents of 356 dwellings in nine Districts in Lao PDR over a five month period (December 2005–April 2006), with the aim of identifying the association between respiratory health and indoor air pollution, in particular exposures related to indoor biomass burning. Adjusted odds ratios were calculated for each health outcome separately using binary logistic regression. After adjusting for age, a wide range of symptoms of respiratory illness in women and children aged 1–4years were positively associated with a range of indoor exposures related to indoor cooking, including exposure to a fire and location of the cooking place. Among women, “dust always inside the house” and smoking were also identified as strong risk factors for respiratory illness. Other strong risk factors for children, after adjusting for age and gender, included dust and drying clothes inside. This analysis confirms the role of indoor air pollution in the burden of disease among women and children in Lao PDR.

Indoor air pollution from solid biomass fuels combustion in rural agricultural area of Tibet, China

In this study, we are trying to investigate the indoor air pollution and to estimate the residents' pollution exposure reduction of energy altering in rural Tibet. Daily PM(2.5) monitoring was conducted in indoor microenvironments like kitchen, living-room, bedroom, and yard in rural Tibet from December 2006 to March 2007. For kitchen air pollution, impact of two fuel types, methane and solid biomass fuels (SBFs), were compared. Questionnaire survey on the domestic energy pattern and residents' daily activity pattern was performed in Zha-nang County. Daily average PM(2.5) concentrations in kitchen, living-room, bedroom, and yard were 134.91 microg/m(3) (mean, n = 45, 95%CI 84.02, 185.80), 103.61 microg/m(3) (mean, n = 21, 95%CI 85.77, 121.45), 76.13 microg/m(3) (mean, n = 18, 95%CI 57.22, 95.04), and 78.33 microg/m(3) (mean, n = 34, 95%CI 60.00, 96.65) respectively. Using SBFs in kitchen resulted in higher indoor pollution than using methane. PM(2.5) concentrations in kitchen with dung cake, fuel wood and methane use were 117.41 microg/m(3) (mean, n = 18, 95%CI 71.03, 163.79), 271.11 microg/m(3) (mean, n = 12, 95%CI 104.74, 437.48), and 46.96 microg/m(3) (mean, n = 15, 95%CI 28.10, 65.82) respectively. Family income has significant influence on cooking energy choice, while the lack of commercial energy supply affects the energy choice for heating more. The effects of two countermeasures to improve indoor air quality were estimated in this research. One is to replace SBFs by clean energy like methane, the other is to separate the cooking place from other rooms and by applying these countermeasures, residents' exposure to particulate matters would reduce by 25-50% (methane) or 20-30% (separation) compared to the present situation. Indoor air pollution caused by solid biomass fuels is one of the most important burdens of disease in the developing countries, which attracts the attention of environment and public health researchers, as well as policy makers. This paper gives a pilot research on the indoor air pollution and estimated the effects of some intervention policies in Tibet of China, where the living habits of the residents are quite different from other parts of the world. This work would be an important supply to the indoor air pollution studies, and would be helpful in policy making.

Kogegruber – i klynger eller på rad og række

Kogegruber – i klynger eller på rad og række

Indoor Air Pollution and Respiratory Function of Children in Ashok Vihar, Delhi: An Exposure-Response Study

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of indoor air pollution on respiratory function of children (aged 7-15 years). The study took place at Ashok Vihar, an urban locality in the northwest part of Delhi during the summer months of June and July 2004. The team did house visits. The questionnaire, administered at the house itself, asked about the history of smoking in the family, type of cooking fuel used, duration of cooking, ventilation and lighting at the cooking place, and other confounders. In total, 441 children (59% male, 41% female) between ages 7 and 15 years were considered for the study, and a detailed profile was collected. Clinical examination with special reference to respiratory system was done. Pulmonary function tests/peak expiratory flow rates of each child were measured. Indoor air pollutant (suspended particulate matter, SO(2), NO(2)) was measured, and the effect of these pollutants on the children's respiratory function was analyzed. The respiratory health profile suggests that children had cough, sputum production, shortness of breath, wheezing, common cold, and throat congestion. Indoor SO(2) , NO(2), and suspended particulate matter levels were high in houses where there was a family history of smoking. SO(2) level was significantly high according to occupancy per room. NO(2) and suspended particulate matter levels were significantly high in houses where children had respiratory problems. It is concluded that indoor air pollution had an association with respiratory function of children.

Blood Levels of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Children of Lucknow, India

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are compounds with two or more fused benzene rings produced by incomplete combustion of organic substances involved in natural and anthropogenic processes. Children are exposed to these compounds through inhalation, dietary ingestion, and, also, soil at the playground. It has been well established that PAHs have carcinogenic, mutagenic, and teratogenic effects. Considering possible health risks due to PAHs exposure among children, the present study was carried out in collaboration with the Pediatrics Department, King George's Medical University (KGMU), Lucknow, to determine its exposure in children by estimating blood PAHs levels. Due to the variable composition of PAHs mixtures emitted from different environmental sources, any single compound or metabolite may not be representative of all exposure conditions. For these reasons, the measurement of blood PAHs levels as a possible biomarker, especially of the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency, USA) priority list, has been proposed. Acenaphthylene, anthracene, phenanthrene, fluoranthene, naphthalene, pyrene, benzo(b)fluoranthene, benzo(k)fluoranthene, and benzo(a)pyrene were determined by HPLC-FD/UV. On the basis of the individual compound, the median (50th percentile) of naphthalene (19 ppb) was highest, however, benzo(a)pyrene (4.0 ppb) level was found to be lowest among all detected PAHs. The median level of total noncarcinogenic PAHs (113.55 ppb) was higher than the total carcinogenic PAHs (32.35 ppb) in blood samples of children. A significant correlation was found between period of time spent in the surrounding breathing zone of the cooking place and total noncarcinogenic PAHs (p < 0.05), while the blood carcinogenic PAHs level in children was found to be associated with lower status of their families (p < 0.05). It is speculated that there may be chances of health hazards through exposure to PAHs, those not yet declared hazardous and present at higher concentrations in the Indian environment. Further study with a larger sample size and accompanying environmental data is desired to validate the findings of this pilot study and strengthen the database of PAHs exposure in India.

GSTM1 and CYP1A1 polymorphisms, tobacco, air pollution, and lung cancer: a study in rural Thailand.

The Lampang Province is situated in the northern region of Thailand. Incidence rates of lung cancer are high for Asian standards, particularly in women. This study was conducted to quantify the risk of lung cancer associated with exposures prevalent in the area and to investigate possible interactions with genetic susceptibility. The presence of several large open-cast coal mines from 1955 close to electricity-generating plants was a particular focus of concern. Two-hundred and eleven cases of primary lung cancers diagnosed in 1993 to 1995 and residents in the province were recruited at the Lampang Provincial Hospital (main referral center for treatment of the disease). Two sets of controls, frequency-matched to the cases by sex and age, were recruited (a) from the resident population (202 interviewed) and (b) from patients admitted to the hospital for diseases predominantly unrelated to tobacco smoking (211 interviewed). Sociodemographic information, complete residential history, and characteristics of the household (place of cooking, cooking fuel, and heating fuels), occupational history, and history of tobacco smoking were obtained by interview. Cases and controls ( approximately 50% of the population-based series) provided a blood sample. A point source air pollution exposure index was calculated for each village/township reported in residential histories based on the linear distance from the Mae Moh Center (the area of the electricity-generating plants), the year-specific gaseous (SO(2) and NO(2)) or total suspended particulate emissions from the Mae Moh Power Plant, and the percentage of wind from the center. Odds ratios (OR) for the disease associated with categorical variables were estimated within unconditional logistic regression. Extraction of genomic DNA and genotyping of variants in CYP1A1 and GSTM1 were conducted to assess the extent of modification of risk by these genes that are involved in the metabolism of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, a common component of the exposures. Overall, there was no evidence of relevant differences in the socioeconomic level of the three groups. The two control sets were similar with respect to lifelong tobacco habit and were subsequently pooled in analyses. Never-smokers were 7% of men and 33% of women. Smoking of local traditional products unfiltered and high in tar content is a common habit in the rural female population. ORs associated with smoking increased with duration of the habit and average daily amount, being 4.9 [95% confidence interval (95% CI), 2.5-9.7] for smokers of > or =7 cigarettes/d and 3.3 (95% CI, 1.7-6.2) for duration of 41 years or longer compared with nonsmokers. Smoking of local products was associated with an independent OR of 3.1 (95% CI, 1.7-5.6) adjusted for lifelong cumulative amount of tobacco smoked. Although most smokers had the habit for at least 16 years, the daily consumption was low compared with Western standards. Other potential sources of exposure to lung carcinogens (emission from the power-generating plants and domestic burning of coal and wood for cooking and heating) were not associated with increased risk of lung cancer. None of the three polymorphisms examined increased the risk of lung cancer or modified the risk associated with tobacco smoking. In this rural population, 96% of male and 64% of female lung cancer incidence were explained by tobacco smoking. None of the potential sources of air pollution deriving from the combustion of coal and wood, or polymorphisms in the CYP1A1 gene or deletion of the GSTM1 had an effect on the risk of lung cancer, either together or separately.

PM10 EXPOSURE FROM COOKING FUELS AND IMPACT ON WOMEN AND CHILDREN: EXPERIENCE FROM SOUTHWEST NIGERIA

ISEE-440 Introduction: This paper describes the concentration of particulate matter (10μm) in smoke generated from different fuels - firewood, kerosene, charcoal and gas - used by communities, and the health impacts on women and children. Methods: The study was located in Ibadan, capital of Oyo State, with a population of over 3.5 million. Five Local Government Areas of the inner Ibadan metropolis were involved in the study. The communities were selected from three strata - high, medium and low density areas - based on population density and socio-economic status. Stratified random sampling was employed to select four communities from each stratum, based on the type of fuel being used. Ekotedo and Agbeni were selected to represent high density areas, Agbowo represented the medium density area, and Old Bodija represented the low density area. The eligible population for the purpose of the study comprised every mother aged 16 years and above and children younger than 5 years of age, who were permanent residents in the identified areas. In all, 186 households were monitored for PM10, while 130 mother-child pairs were interviewed and monitored for exposure effects. A structured questionnaire was administered to the mothers to gather information on demographic characteristics and the fuel types used. Focus group discussions and air monitoring were also conducted. Results: PM10 concentration was measured thrice in each household for over 5 minutes. Measurement was done when the fire was ignited and started burning. Readings from the three measurements were pooled and computed. The daily exposure to respirable particulate matter, PM10was estimated using a Haz-dust particulate monitor. The instrument was calibrated with test-dust, and the particle size was from 0.1–50 μm, as recommended by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) PM10 criteria and thoracic region for airborne particles, as defined by the ACGIH (American Conference of Government Industrial Hygienists) and the NIOSH (National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health). Lung function of the subjects was determined using a mini peak flow meter (Aimed Clement Clarke International London, U.K.). Peak expiratory flow rate was measured in the respondents before and after cooking. The results indicated that 37.7% of the respondents used firewood, 33.1% used kerosene, 17.7% used charcoal and 11.5% used gas. Firewood users spend more time in the cooking process and stay close to the fire for longer periods of time, when compared to subjects who use other fuels. Smoke released from these fuel sources contained particulate matter up to a maximum level of 9,500 μg/m3. Charcoal users had the lowest lung function values, as compared to users of other fuels. The health effects among the respondents included difficulty in breathing, runny nose, sneezing, chest pain, chest tightness, cough, watery eyes, eye redness, irritation of the nose and throat, sweating and headache. The type of kitchen used and the place of cooking also have an impact on the health effects seen.

FACTORS AFFECTING THE CHOICE OF COOKING FUEL, COOKING PLACE AND RESPIRATORY HEALTH IN THE ACCRA METROPOLITAN AREA, GHANA

Indoor air pollution resulting from the combustion of solid fuels has been identified as a major health threat in the developing world. This study examines how the choice of cooking fuel, place of cooking and behavioural risk factors affect respiratory health infections in Accra, Ghana. About 65.3% of respondents use charcoal and 4.2% use unprocessed wood. A total of 241 (25.4%) respondents who cook had had respiratory health symptoms in the two weeks preceding the study. Household socioeconomic status and educational attainment of respondents were found to have a significant impact on respiratory health through their particular influence on the choice of cooking fuel. Households that use wood and charcoal have a high incidence of respiratory health symptoms. The poor are more affected by respiratory health problems due to their heavy dependence on solid fuels as compared with their wealthy counterparts. Households that cook in multiple purpose rooms are more affected by respiratory health problems than those that cook outdoors. There is a positive correlation between the presence of children in the kitchen during cooking and the incidence of respiratory health symptoms among children (r=0.31, p<0.0001). Poverty and lack of education and awareness are the major factors affecting the choice of cooking fuel, place of cooking and respiratory health in Accra.

Excavation of a burnt mound and associated structures at Ceann nan Clachan, North Uist

First excavation of a burnt mound site in the Western Isles, not thought to be part of a domestic site. Cellular building closely paralleled by a recently excavated building at Cladh Hallan in South Uist. Various possible funcions are suggested including cooking place, smoke-house, or sweat-lodge. There are notes on:

DISPOSAL OF HUMAN REMAINS IN THE NEW GUINEA HIGHLANDS

THIS paper is a presentation of unpublished data on burial ceremonies and disposal of human remains in the Highlands of Papua New Guinea, and a discussion of the archaeological interpretation. My personal interest in this subject arose in 1978 while on fieldwork at Kuk, in the Western Highlands of Papua New Guinea: excavating what I thought was a prehistoric cooking place, I found to my surprise that I was unearthing human remains I was in fact digging in the middle of a cemetery containing numerous graves. Because of this unexpected find, I started to scrutinize early patrol reports available in Mount Hagen to find out how people were traditionally buried at the time of European contact. This preliminary analysis does not deal with my field data, but speculates only on what could probably remain in archaeological deposits as a result of these burial practices. I am concerned with how to recognize archaeological burial sites throughout the Highlands. Most of the abstracts presented here are from reports of patrols made shortly after European pacification in their respective areas. Although there were certainly some significant changes in the socio-economic life of these tribes,1 the following accounts probably describe traditional burial practices, not yet modified by the Administration nor the Missions.

Kogegruber i New Guineas højland

Kogegruber i New Guineas højland

Prehistoric Cooking Places in Norfolk

Contributions to the general study of Prehistory have accumulated of late years, but the methods of cooking in early times have received but little attention. This, then, must be my excuse for bringing this subject to your notice to-day.Prehistoric man has unwittingly divulged the course of his wanderings over continents, not only by the implements which strew his path, and with which we are familiar, but by the burnt stones which mark his simple hearth.These eloquent but unattractive little relics have a significance equal, if not exceeding that of the artifacts themselves. For their advent coincides with one of the leaps and bounds of man's evolution, when goaded by his sufferings, to crave artificial warmth, he caught at the vagrant spark inadvertently struck from a flint, or produced by the friction of wood, and prisoned it for his use and comfort. How early he became a fire-maker we have yet to determine, but the insignificant heating-stone (so largely used in primitive cookery), as we trace it back to the horizon of its first appearance, may presently teach us.