title: Association between the use of biomass fuels on respiratory health of workers in food catering enterprises in Nairobi Kenya.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Indoor air pollution from biomass fuel use has been found to be responsible for more than 1.6 million annual deaths and 2.7% of the global burden of disease. This makes it the second biggest environmental contributor to ill health, behind unsafe water and sanitation.
  
  
  METHODS
  The main objective of this study was to investigate if there was any association between use of bio-fuels in food catering enterprises and respiratory health of the workers. A cross-sectional design was employed, and data collected using Qualitative and quantitative techniques.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study found significantly higher prevalence of respiratory health outcomes among respondents in enterprises using biomass fuels compared to those using processed fuels. Biomass fuels are thus a major public health threat to workers in this sub-sector, and urgent intervention is required.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study recommends a switch from biomass fuels to processed fuels to protect the health of the workers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Kenyatta University, Kenya.
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Keraka
authors.forename: Carolyne
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ochieng
authors.forename: Jacobus
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Engelbrecht
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hongoro
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000009:adverse effects; D056804:Biofuels / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018533:Biomass; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005522:Food Services; D006801:Humans; D007630:Kenya / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D016272:Occupational Health; D015995:Prevalence; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D056804:Biofuels
keywords: Indoor air pollution; biomass fuels; health; respiratory; workers
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