EFFECTS OF INDOOR AIR POLLUTION BY BIOMASS FUELS ON RESPIRATORY FUNCTIONS OF WOMEN IN GONDAR, NORTH WEST ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Poor households in Ethiopia depend heavily on wood, dung, and other biomass fuels for cooking. Inhalation of pollutants from these fuels may cause deleterious effects on health. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of exposure to indoor air pollution from the use of biofuels on lung functions and respiratory symptoms in women. A cross-sectional study was conducted at Gondar town, 750 kilometers from Addis Ababa, between June and August 2010. Lung function parameters (FVC, FEV₁ AND PEFR), CO level were measured following the standard procedures. Socio-demographic data and respiratory symptoms were collected by using structured questionnaire. The data entered and analyzed by SPSS version 16.0 statistical software and p<0.05 was considered as statistically significant. The prevalence of wheeze (OR=8.11), phlegm (OR=17.1), bronchitis (OR=2.08) and asthma (OR=7.01) were significantly higher in the exposed groups relative to the no-exposure group. The mean measured value of ventilatory capacity FVC (2.20± 0.89 for biomass users and 2.62±0 .89 for controls, p=0.0004); FEV₁ (1.67±0 .77 for biomass users and 2.24± 0.82 for controls, p=0.0002) and PEFR (181.45± 72.14 for biomass users and 243.52±98.13 for controls, p=0.0003) were found to be significantly reduced in exposed group compared with controls and predicted values. Mean indoor CO level (238± 40 ppm) were higher than Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) exposure limit (101-200 ppm) and negatively correlated with reduction in the mean lung function parameters. Indoor air pollution had deleterious effect on the respiratory function of women. There must be intervention that educates women about behavioral possibilities to reduce the exposure to themselves and their children to cooking fire.