A1 Journal article (refereed)
Factors affecting the choice of cooking fuel, cooking place and respiratory health in the Accra Metropolitan Area, Ghana (2006)

Boadi, K., & Kuitunen, M. (2006). Factors affecting the choice of cooking fuel, cooking place and respiratory health in the Accra Metropolitan Area, Ghana. Journal of biosocial science, 38(3), 403-412. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0021932005026635

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Boadi, Kwasi; Kuitunen, Markku

Journal or series: Journal of biosocial science

ISSN: 0021-9320

Publication year: 2006

Volume: 38

Issue number: 3

Pages range: 403-412

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Place of Publication: Cambridge

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/s0021932005026635

Publication open access: Not open

Publication channel open access: 

Abstract

Indoor air pollution resulting from the combustion of solid fuels has been identified as a major health threat in the developing world. This study examines how the choice of cooking fuel, place of cooking and behavioural risk factors affect respiratory health infections in Accra, Ghana. About 65·3% of respondents use charcoal and 4·2% use unprocessed wood. A total of 241 (25·4%) respondents who cook had had respiratory health symptoms in the two weeks preceding the study. Household socioeconomic status and educational attainment of respondents were found to have a significant impact on respiratory health through their particular influence on the choice of cooking fuel. Households that use wood and charcoal have a high incidence of respiratory health symptoms. The poor are more affected by respiratory health problems due to their heavy dependence on solid fuels as compared with their wealthy counterparts. Households that cook in multiple purpose rooms are more affected by respiratory health problems than those that cook outdoors. There is a positive correlation between the presence of children in the kitchen during cooking and the incidence of respiratory health symptoms among children (r=0·31, p<0·0001). Poverty and lack of education and awareness are the major factors affecting the choice of cooking fuel, place of cooking and respiratory health in Accra.

Keywords: developing countries; households (organisations); food preparation; fuels; health effects; respiratory tract diseases; socioeconomic factors; educational background

Free keywords: respiratory health; cooking; Ghana

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

Preliminary JUFO rating: Not rated