title: Consequence of indoor air pollution in rural area of Nepal: a simplified measurement approach.
abstract: People of developing countries especially from rural area are commonly exposed to high levels of household pollution for 3-7 h daily using biomass in their kitchen. Such biomass produces harmful smoke and makes indoor air pollution (IAP). Community-based cross-sectional study was performed to identify effects of IAP by simplified measurement approach in Sunsari District of Nepal. Representative samples of 157 housewives from household, involving more than 5 years in kitchen were included by cluster sampling. Data were analyzed by SPSS and logistic regression was applied for the statistical test. Most (87.3%) housewives used biomass as a cooking fuel. Tearing of eyes, difficulty in breathing, and productive cough were the main reported health problems and traditional mud stoves and use of unrefined biomass were statistically significant (p < 0.05) and more risk (AOR > 2) with health problems related to IAP. The treatment cost and episodes of acute respiratory infection was >2 folders higher in severe IAP than mild IAP. Simplified measurement approach could be helpful to measure IAP in rural area. Some effective intervention is suggested to reduce the severe level of IAP considering women and children.
authors: Department of Preventive Medicine, Wonju College of Medicine Yonsei University , Wonju, Gangwon , South Korea ; Institute for Poverty Alleviation and International Development, Yonsei University , Wonju, Gangwon , South Korea.
authors: Chhabi Lal
authors: CL
authors: Ranabhat
authors: Department of Preventive Medicine, Wonju College of Medicine Yonsei University , Wonju, Gangwon , South Korea ; Institute for Poverty Alleviation and International Development, Yonsei University , Wonju, Gangwon , South Korea.
authors: Chun-Bae
authors: CB
authors: Kim
authors: Institute for Poverty Alleviation and International Development, Yonsei University , Wonju, Gangwon , South Korea.
authors: Chang-Soo
authors: CS
authors: Kim
authors: BP Koirala Institute of Health Science, School of Public Health and Community Medicine , Dharan , Nepal.
authors: Nilambar
authors: N
authors: Jha
authors: BP Koirala Institute of Health Science, School of Public Health and Community Medicine , Dharan , Nepal.
authors: K C
authors: KC
authors: Deepak
authors: Department of Health Services, School of Public Health, University of Washington , Seattle, WA , USA.
authors: Fredric A
authors: FA
authors: Connel
keywords: acute respiratory infection; biomass; cooking fuel; health problems; indoor air pollution