Household Fuel Use and Prevalence of Self-reported Allergic Rhinitis in Rural Areas of Mpumalanga, South Africa

Risk factors associated with rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis and eczema among schoolchildren in Uganda

“…We think ‘trucks near home’ is a proxy for proximity to a busy road, and this has been previously found to be positively associated with ARDs 40,41 and asthma morbidity, 42 and this is probably related to increased pollution. Air pollution as a possible risk factor is further supported by our observation that children with current rhinitis were more likely to report indoor cooking with firewood/charcoal stove as main fuel sources, similar to a South African study 43 . With regard to the reported increased frequency of de‐worming among children with the different ARDs including asthma, 13 we have no ready explanation.…”

“…Air pollution as a possible risk factor is further supported by our observation that children with current rhinitis were more likely to report indoor cooking with firewood/charcoal stove as main fuel sources, similar to a South African study. 43 With regard to the reported increased frequency of de-worming among children with the different ARDs including asthma, 13 we have no ready explanation. In Uganda, schoolchildren routinely receive mass drug administration with albendazole once a year, but in this study, children with ARDs were more likely to report being de-wormed twice or more in the last 1 year.…”

Indoor Household Exposures and Associated Morbidity and Mortality Outcomes in Children and Adults in South Africa

“…In another study carried out in Mpumalanga, South Africa, Bidassey-Manilal et al [ 50 ] reported that wood was the most commonly used fuel for cooking (75.0%) and heating (69.0%). Coal is the second most commonly used fuel for cooking (15.0%) and heating (14.0%).…”

“…The odds of rhinitis ever (OR = 1.21, 95% CI: 1.05–1.46), current rhinitis (OR = 1.26, 95% CI: 1.01–1.40), and hay fever (OR = 1.11 95% CI: 1.21–1.48) were higher among children living in households that are users of wood, coal and kerosene. The probability of developing rhinitis (OR 1.31, 95% CI: 1.04–1.69) and hay fever (OR 1.21, 95% CI: 1.07–1.81) increases with the use of wood, coal and kerosene for cooking in the presence of children [ 50 ]. However, there was no association between indoor smoking, the use of animal dung, coal, charcoal and electricity and respiratory health outcomes.…”