Indoor air pollution and morbidity: evidence from India
Student name: Ms Komal Kareer
Guide: Dr Montu Bose
Year of completion: 2017
Host Organisation: TERI University
Abstract: Solid fuels burn inefficiently and as a result, their combustion produces a mixture of harmful pollutants. These pollutants are associated with the incidence of several diseases. A significant portion of the population in India, most of it in rural areas, uses solid fuel for their household energy needs. Given the hazardous effect that the pollutants from the combustion of such fuels causes on human health, India is particularly at risk. The study examines the nature of the relationship between indoor air pollution and incidence of morbidity and identifies the associated socio-economic factors that might influence this relationship. Data from WHO's SAGE Wave 1 for India was used to estimate the effect of indoor air pollution due to solid fuel used for cooking on morbidity. A logistic regression was run to estimate the odds of an adult suffering from morbidity-associated solid fuel use as against an adult who employs cleaner fuels for his cooking requirements. The model shows that, in a rural area, the odds of an individual using gas or electricity for his household energy needs is 25% less likely to suffer from an IAP related disease than an individual using solid fuel smoke (OR=0.75; 95% CI). Kerosene users too, have lower odds of suffering from IAP related morbidity(OR=0.1; 95% CI). For urban areas, however, the results for fuel use were not significant. Chimney was found to play a significant role in determining the odds of a person suffering from IAP related disease(OR= 0.85;95% CI). Religion does not play a significant role in morbidity pertaining to solid fuel use exposure. Caste however, plays a significant role in both rural and urban areas. A surprising result of the study was the greater odds of males from suffering from solid fuel use related morbidity as compared to females. This could be due to greater access of males to healthcare services and constrained mobility of females owing to cultural and personal preferences. While regression results are not very significant for income, controlling for possible confounding of education shows that income could have a role to play but only beyond a particular point. A need for better incentives for a household to switch to cleaner fuels as well as adopting more efficient stoves was identified.
