Household use of biomass fuel, especially traditional stove is
associated with childhood wheeze and eczema: a cross sectional study of
rural communities in Kandy, Sri Lanka
Abstract
Background: The majority of households in low- and middle-income
countries (LMICs) rely on biomass fuel for daily cooking. Studies
investigating the association between early life exposure to household
air pollution and health outcomes in children in LMICs have been
limited. This study aimed to investigate the effects of use of biomass
fuel for cooking and different types of stoves on wheeze and allergies
in children of rural Sri Lankan communities. Methods: A cross-sectional
study was conducted on 452 children aged 5 years and younger in Kandy,
Sri Lanka. A questionnaire was administered to mothers to gather
information about use of biomass fuel and respiratory and allergic
outcomes in children. The associations between biomass fuel and outcomes
were analysed using logistic regression models adjusting for potential
confounders. Results: Use of biomass fuel for cooking was associated
with increased risk of childhood wheeze (aOR=2.38; 95% CI 1.08-5.27)
and eczema (aOR=4.49; 95% CI 1.40-14.38) compared with households that
used clean fuel (liquid petroleum gas (LPG), electricity and/or biogas).
Among households that used biomass fuel, use of traditional biomass
stoves was associated with higher risk of childhood wheeze (aOR=3.24;
95% CI 1.28-8.20), allergic rhinitis (aOR=3.08; 95% CI 1.34-7.04) and
eczema (aOR=7.96; 95% CI 2.35-26.93) compared with households that used
clean stoves. Conclusion: Children living in households that used
biomass fuel, especially traditional biomass cookstoves, were at higher
risk of wheeze and allergic outcomes. Access to affordable clean energy
sources may help to improve health of rural LMICs through reduction of
air pollution.