Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(2), 167; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13020167
User Perspectives of Characteristics of Improved Cookstoves from a Field Evaluation in Western Kenya
1
Respiratory Diseases Branch, National Center for Immunizations and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road NE, Mailstop C-25, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
2
Department of Public Health and Policy, Institute of Psychology, Health and Society, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3GB, UK
3
Research Unit, Safe Water and AIDS Project, Kisumu 40100, Kenya
4
Public Health Institute, Oakland, CA 94607, USA
5
Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves, Washington, DC 20006, USA
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Academic Editor: Kim Natasha Dirks
Received: 2 December 2015 / Revised: 15 January 2016 / Accepted: 20 January 2016 / Published: 27 January 2016
Abstract
Over half of the world’s population uses biomass fuels; these households cook on open fires indoors, increasing their risk of adverse health effects due to household air pollution (HAP) from biomass combustion. This study evaluated six improved cookstoves (ICS) for effectiveness and acceptability in a rural community in Western Kenya. This paper describes women’s views on each ICS compared to the traditional three-stone fire. Views on stove characteristics, fuel consumption, health effects and acceptability were assessed through structured interviews and focus group discussions. Data were coded and analyzed using a thematic approach. In total, 262 interviews and 11 focus groups were conducted from 43 women. Overall, women preferred the ICS over the traditional three-stone fire for various reasons including ease of use, efficiency, fuel efficiency and perceived reduction in smoke and improved health. However, there were clear preferences for specific ICS with almost half of women preferring a Philips stove. Despite acceptance and use of ICS, women used multiple stoves to meet their daily needs. Qualitative studies are essential to field evaluations to provide insight into user perspectives and acceptability of ICS and to inform research and development of technologies that are both effective in reducing HAP and practical in use. View Full-TextKeywords:
indoor air pollution; cookstoves; qualitative; field evaluations
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited (CC BY 4.0).
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Loo, J.D.; Hyseni, L.; Ouda, R.; Koske, S.; Nyagol, R.; Sadumah, I.; Bashin, M.; Sage, M.; Bruce, N.; Pilishvili, T.; Stanistreet, D. User Perspectives of Characteristics of Improved Cookstoves from a Field Evaluation in Western Kenya. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13, 167.
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Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health
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