Assessing the health consequences of indoor air pollution from biomass fuel combustion on pediatric populations in rural communities of Pakistan.

Indoor air pollution arising from burning of biomass fuels poses a significant threat to child health in rural areas of Pakistan. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess health implications associated with indoor air pollution resulting from biomass burning among children under 12 years of age in...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Publicado en:International Journal of Environmental Health Research Vol. 35; no. 3; pp. 620 - 634
Autores principales: Zahra Naqvi, Syeda Hamayal, Shahzad, Laila, Haider Naqvi, Syeda Laiba, Ayub, Fizzah, Tanveer, Rameesha
Formato: research tables/charts Journal Article
Publicado: Taylor & Francis Ltd Mar2025
Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
Descripción
Sumario:Indoor air pollution arising from burning of biomass fuels poses a significant threat to child health in rural areas of Pakistan. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess health implications associated with indoor air pollution resulting from biomass burning among children under 12 years of age in rural Punjab. A questionnaire-based survey was conducted in six randomly selected rural districts of Punjab, characterized by their primary reliance on biomass fuels. The findings revealed that several characteristics, such as monthly household income, number of living rooms, secondary use of solid fuels, kitchen type, type of cooking stove, and presence of child in the kitchen with their mother, exhibited significant associations (p < 0.05) with negative health impacts among children. Reported health effects among the children included coughing (18.7%), watery eyes (17.7%), eye irritation (12.3%), runny nose (11.8%), breathing difficulties (8.5%), phlegm (38%), headache (25%), nausea (20.1%), dizziness (6.7%), asthma (6.4%), tuberculosis (1.8%), and pneumonia (1.5%).