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Description
Globally, about a half of households in developing countries rely on solid fuel as a primary fuel for cooking and heating. Burning solid biomass fuel produces emissions like particulate matter, carbon monoxide, polycyclic aromatic hydrogen carbons which contribute to toxic air pollutants that are harmful to human health. Consequences attributed to Indoor air pollution include: pneumonia, stroke, ischemic heart diseases, chronic pulmonary disease,low birth weight, cataract and nasopharyngeal infections. In a research carried out in Amai Community Hospital and Amai Village Amolatar District, Respiratory tract infections were the commonest diseases with indoor air pollution as an associated factor. In Amolatar district, no studies had been carried out on household air pollution as a risk factor for the increased Respiratory tract infections due to solid fuel smoke. This study was conducted to assess community knowledge, attitudes and practices on indoor air pollution due to solid fuel smoke so as to provide evidence based information that will trigger policy change and minimize use of solid fuel in Amai Village Amolatar district.
This cross-sectional study employed mixed methods. Semi structured questionnaires were used to collect quantitative data while key informant interviews and focus group discussions were used to collect qualitative data. analysis of data was done.
It was found out that majority had ample knowledge about dangers of solid fuel smoke such as eye diseases, cough and headache. Many had acquired knowledge mainly from radios and televisions, and a significant number knew different sources of heat with less or no smoke such as electricity. Majority had positive attitude towards use of clean solid fuel such as electricity. In addition, majority had good practices towards reduction of indoor smoke like opening windows and putting off fire after cooking. However, many still used firewood for cooking in their households. Therefore, there is need to sensitize household members on the available clean solid fuel sources in order to reduce solid fuel smoke.
