DOMESTIC COMBUSTION OF BIOMASS FUELS AND RESPIRATORY SYMPTOMS AMONG WOMEN OF SONATTI VILLAGE, BELAGAVI  A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY

Sharath Chandra B.; Mubashir Angolkar; Waita Faith; Mrinal Sharma; B R Ashok kumar

Volume : IV, Issue : VI, June - 2015

DOMESTIC COMBUSTION OF BIOMASS FUELS AND RESPIRATORY SYMPTOMS AMONG WOMEN OF SONATTI VILLAGE, BELAGAVI A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY

Sharath Chandra B. , Mubashir Angolkar, Waita Faith, Mrinal Sharma, B R Ashok Kumar

Abstract :

Background: Exposure to indoor air pollution from the combustion of biomass fuels (wood, charcoal, animal dung, and crop wastes) and coal is a significant public health hazard predominantly affecting poor rural and urban communities in developing countries. Objectives: To assess the association between socio–economic status, type of biomass fuel used and exposure rate to biomass generated smoke and respiratory morbidity among women involved in cooking. Material and Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in Sonatti village of Belagavi district. Non–smoking women aged 20 years and above who were involved in cooking were included as subjects and were interviewed using a pretested questionnaire. Observations were made on housing characteristics especially about kitchen and the cooking stove. Results:A total of 320 non–smoking women aged 20 years and above were included in the study that revealed a significant association between respiratory symptoms in women exposed to biomass smoke and age as well as the amount of exposure to the biomass smoke. Conclusion: The study revealed a strong association existing between age of the women and the duration of exposure to the occurrence of respiratory symptoms among women