Health concerns and use of biomass energy in households: voices of women from rural communities in Western Uganda

Abstract

Background Over the years, there has been advocacy for use of improved cookstoves as one of the initiatives towards reducing overdependence on biomass energy. There is growing concern that the use of biomass energy may expose users to pollution which may be detrimental to their health. This study aimed at examining the health concerns of women attributed to access and use of biomass fuel in rural areas of Western Uganda. Methods A cross-sectional study design was employed where 193 respondents and 10 key informants participated in the interviews. Four focused group discussions were held in the districts of Mbarara and Bushenyi in Western Uganda. Quantitative data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences, while qualitative data were analyzed using the thematic approach. Results Dependence on biomass energy may expose users especially women to both physical and psychological health challenges. Findings suggest that the type of cookstove and cooking structure contribute to indoor air pollution. Women are exposed to pollution while preparing meals using biomass fuel which may lead to respiratory complications and other health-related challenges. Additionally, while gathering biomass fuel, women may be exposed to other risks and hazards that may lead to poor health and or trauma. Conclusion It is crucial for different stakeholders from both the public and private sectors to promote use of improved cookstoves through sensitization programs, promotional campaigns, and development of supportive regulatory frameworks for the well-being of women and their families.

Gender and Other Vulnerabilities to Water–Energy Accessibility in Rural Households of Katsina State, Northern Nigeria

“…Pommells et al [66] report that travelling long distances, intensified by the regularity of community women's water-fetching habits, gives attackers the chance to target women who are alone, isolated, and defenceless. In addition, other studies [66][67][68] reveal that beyond the physical threats, which include sexual assaults, women are also subjected to psychological stress linked to panic attacks and general anxiety, intensified by the lack of confidence among females. On the same paths to water and fuel collection locations, physical violence linked to animal attacks is also reported [66,67,69].…”

“…In addition, other studies [66][67][68] reveal that beyond the physical threats, which include sexual assaults, women are also subjected to psychological stress linked to panic attacks and general anxiety, intensified by the lack of confidence among females. On the same paths to water and fuel collection locations, physical violence linked to animal attacks is also reported [66,67,69]. Sharing the same water resource and foot paths with dangerous hungry animals also contributes to physical insecurity.…”

Air Quality and Cancer Prevalence Trends across the Sub-Saharan African Regions during 2005–2020

“…In traditional rural settings in countries such as Uganda, Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, South Africa, and many other countries in SSA, women and children collect firewood for heating, cooking, and as a source of lighting like kerosene lamps [ 16 , 59 ]. CO 2 and other chemicals generated from these household activities and cooking needs are directly causing exposure to women, echoing the voices of women as one of the vulnerable groups to air pollutants [ 59 ]. Perhaps, these existing social norms and cultural behaviors explain the increases in breast cancer cases in the SSA regions [ 60 ].…”

Assessing the Demand for Improved Cook Stoves among Low Income Households in Kenya: Case of Baringo and West Pokot Counties

“…The reliance on solid biomass for cooking is a deep-rooted practice for over a third of the world's population (approximately 2.8 billion people), especially in the Low and Middle Income Countries (Stanistreet et al, 2021;Maré & M'rithaa, 2021;Kahlenberg et al, 2021;Kyayesimira & Muheirwe, 2021). Combustion of the solid biomass fuels (wood, charcoal, dung, coal, and crop residues) leads to the emission of black carbon and other greenhouse gases accentuating climate change through forest degradation and deforestation (International Energy Agency (IEA), 2014).…”

“…Essentially, the slow progress in the uptake of designed ICS has been tied to the inability to tailor designs that are capable of suiting end-user customs and preferences of cooking culturally vital food types (Robinson et al, 2022;Clifford et al, 2022). Last but not least, ICS technologies often target to benefit women and girls who are primarily engaged in fuel collection and exposure to smoke, yet these categories have limited decision making power in low resource households (Maré & DOI: 10.4236/me.2022.138060 1142 Modern Economy M'rithaa, 2021; Kahlenberg et al, 2021;Kyayesimira & Muheirwe, 2021;Stanistreet et al, 2021).…”