Women’s Knowledge About Indoor Air Pollution in Nepal

Abstract

Introduction: Indoor air pollution (IAP) is a major public health challenge in developing countries like Nepal. Annually, approximately 4.3 million people die due to IAP. In Nepal, 80% of rural households use biomass fuel for cooking without ventilation. This study to explore knowledge about IAP among women in the Dang district of Nepal. Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted in Tulsipur municipality of Nepal in 2016. Systematic random sampling was used, and data were collected using a structured questionnaire about IAP at their household level. The study population was among women living in a household. The descriptive analysis was done using SPSS software and statistical analysis carried out in frequencies and percentages and data are shown in table, pie chart and bar graph. Each study variable was labeled, coded, and measured systematically. Results:The total study participants were 196 women aged 15 years and above. This study showed that approximately 90% of women had heard about IAP. Of these 28% and 24% of women said IAP is mainly caused due to cooking habits and poor ventilation respectively. Approximately 53% of women were aware of ventilation and 46% agreed to have proper ventilation in the kitchen.Twenty-seven percentages of women agreed that health effects such as eye irritation was due to IAP where by headache 23%, respiratory diseases 20% and so on. Conclusion:Knowledge about IAP is a pragmatic way to prevent and mitigate the effects of IAP in the Dang, Nepal.