Household Biomass Fuel Use and Respiratory Health among Children Living In Madina Zongo: An Informal Settlement in Accra. Ghana

Abstract

Background: incidentally, more than 95% of Zongo communities in Ghana often considered to live in deplorable conditions rely on the use of traditional biomass fuels (BMFs) for cooking and heating. Burning of BMFs can release harmful substances such as sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide and particulate matter, direct exposure of which could be harmful to human health. Objective: The primary objective of this study was to assess the relationship between biomass fuel exposure and respiratory health of children aged from 5-5 years, living in households at Madina Zongo, an informal settlement in the Accra Metropolis. Method: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted from May to July. 2019 which included 400 children (aged from 5 to I5 years) selected from two hundred (200) households in Madina Zongo. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain demographic data of households including heads and children, household cooking characteristics and child exposure to biomass fuel. Weight and height measurements of the children were taken to assess their nutritional status. Data on respiratory symptoms of the children were also collected. An Easy One Spirometer was used to assess Lung function, Forced Expiratory Volumes (FEVs) and Forced Vital Capacities (FVCs) of the children. Instantaneous concentrations of PM were measured during data collection with a portable Met one Aerocet 831 particle counter. Results: The mean age of children was 9.2 ±2.6 years. The most commonly self-reported respiratory symptoms included Cold (90%). Occasional dry cough (71.8%) and 4.2% of the children reported of persistent dry cough. Itchy and watery eyes, sore throat excessive phlegm was reported by 79.5%, 71.5% and 62.0% of the children respectively. From the results of the Spirometry, a higher percentage (60.5%) of the children presented with reduced lung function and 39.5% were normal. A higher average exposure rate score significantly associated with the increased likelihood of persistent dry cough (aOR=8.51, p-value= 0.039), repeated sneezing (aOR- 1.97. p-value=0.003), itchy and watery eyes (aOR- 4.35, p-value<0.034) and difficult breathing (aOR=9.21, p-value<0.28). Also, a significant association was observed between years of BMF exposure and lung function of the participants. Conclusion: In conclusion, this study demonstrated a significant statistical relationship between biomass fuel exposure and respiratory health (respiratory symptoms and lung function indices)