Dataset Information

Awareness of health effects of cooking smoke among women in the Gondar Region of Ethiopia: a pilot survey.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The burning of biomass fuels results in exposure to high levels of indoor air pollution, with consequent health effects. Possible interventions to reduce the exposure include changing cooking practices and introduction of smoke-free stoves supported by health education. Social, cultural and financial constraints are major challenges to implementation and success of interventions. The objective of this study is to determine awareness of women in Gondar, Ethiopia to the harmful health effects of cooking smoke and to assess their willingness to change cooking practices.

Methods

We used a single, administered questionnaire which included questions on household circumstances, general health, awareness of health impact of cooking smoke and willingness to change. We interviewed 15 women from each of rural, urban-traditional and middle class backgrounds.

Results

Eighty percent of rural women cooked indoors using biomass fuel with no ventilation. Rural women reported two to three times more respiratory disease in their children and in themselves compared to the other two groups. Although aware of the negative effect of smoke on their own health, only 20% of participants realised it caused problems in children, and 13% thought it was a cause for concern. Once aware of adverse effects, women were willing to change cooking practices but were unable to afford cleaner fuels or improved stoves.

Conclusion

Increasing the awareness of the health-effects of indoor biomass cooking smoke may be the first step in implementing a programme to reduce exposure.

SUBMITTER: Edelstein M

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2491593 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Awareness of health effects of cooking smoke among women in the Gondar Region of Ethiopia: a pilot survey.

Edelstein M M Pitchforth E E Asres G G Silverman M M Kulkarni N N

BMC international health and human rights 20080718

<h4>Background</h4>The burning of biomass fuels results in exposure to high levels of indoor air pollution, with consequent health effects. Possible interventions to reduce the exposure include changing cooking practices and introduction of smoke-free stoves supported by health education. Social, cultural and financial constraints are major challenges to implementation and success of interventions. The objective of this study is to determine awareness of women in Gondar, Ethiopia to the harmful ...[more]

PMID: 18644103

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Project description:BackgroundRaising public awareness and knowledge about glaucoma is a key for early case identification and prevention of blindness. However, awareness and knowledge about glaucoma is unknown at community level, making provision of interventions difficult. This study was intended to assess the awareness and knowledge of adults about glaucoma and the factors affecting it in Gondar town, Northwest Ethiopia.MethodsCommunity based cross - sectional study was conducted on 701 adults 35 and above years in Gondar from April 12-30, 2016. Multistage sampling technique was used to select study participants. Interviewer administered pretested structured questionnaire was used to collect data after verbal informed consent. Data were entered into EpiData version 3.1 and analyzed by Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models and Odds ratio with 95% interval were used to identify factors. P-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsSeven hundred one adults age 35 and above years were participated with a response rate of 99.3%. The male to female ratio was 1:1.6 with median age of 48 years with interqurtile range of 20. The proportion of awareness was 35.1% (95% CI: 31.5%, 38.6%). Good knowledge was demonstrated in 49.6% (95%CI: 43.3%, 55%) of glaucoma aware participants. Education (primary [AOR: 3.21; 1.73, 5.95], secondary [AOR: 4.34; 2.30, 8.22]; college and above [AOR: 9.82; 4.27, 22.60]) and having eye examination [AOR: 2.78; 1.86, 4.15] were positively associated with awareness of glaucoma whereas older age (65 -74 years [AOR: 0.31(0.21, 0.76]) was inversely related. Level of Education (primary[AOR:2.83;1.04,7.71],secondary[AOR:3.45;1.33,9.41],college and above [AOR: 4.86;1.82,12,99] and having eye examination [AOR: 2.61;1.53,4.45] were significantly associated with knowledge.ConclusionThe study has indicated higher level of awareness and knowledge about glaucoma in urban communities than previous studies. It has also identified educational status, eye examination at least once in life are related with better awareness and knowledge. The present awareness and knowledge should be enhanced through public oriented glaucoma education via mass media and incorporating eye check up as a routine in older people.

Project description:BackgroundBreast cancer (BC) is the most frequently diagnosed cancer and leading cause of cancer deaths among women in low-income countries. Ethiopia does not have a national BC screening program, and over 80% of patients are diagnosed with advanced stage disease. The aim of this study was to assess how many women self-report a breast abnormality and to determine their diagnoses in rural Ethiopia.MethodsA community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 7,573 adult women. Women were interviewed and educated about breast awareness, and those who reported breast abnormalities underwent clinical examination by experienced surgeons. Ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) was obtained, and cytological analysis was performed. The findings were projected to the female population of Ethiopia to estimate current and future burden of diseases.FindingsOf the 7,573 women surveyed, 258 (3.4%) reported a breast abnormality, 246 (3.2%) received a physical examination, and 49 (0.6%) were found to be eligible for ultrasound-guided FNAC or nipple discharge evaluation. Of all the cases, five (10.2%) breast malignancies were diagnosed. We projected for Ethiopia that, approximately, 1 million women could self-report a breast abnormality, 200,000 women could have a palpable breast mass, and 28,000 women could have BC in the country.ConclusionThe health care system needs to build capacity to assess and diagnose breast diseases in rural areas of Ethiopia. These data can be used for resource allocation to meet immediate health care needs and to promote detecting and treating BC at earlier stages of disease.Implications for practiceRoutine mammography screening in a resource-limited country with a young population is neither sensitive nor affordable. Clinical breast examination with consecutive ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration cytology may ensure early diagnosis, downstage disease, and reduce breast cancer mortality. This study had the unique opportunity to educate over 7,573 rural women about breast abnormalities and offer clinical and cytological diagnosis for reported breast abnormalities. The findings were extrapolated to show the nationwide burden of breast abnormalities and unmet diagnostic needs. These data will serve as policy guide to improve adequate referral mechanisms and breast diagnostic and treatment facilities.

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Project description:BackgroundAlcohol use during pregnancy has a potential negative impact on the health of women and children. Binge or hazardous drinking may do greater alcohol-related damage to the developing fetus than drinking a comparable amount spread over several days or weeks. This study aimed to identify determinants of hazardous alcohol use among pregnant women attending antenatal care at Gondar town public health facilities, Northwest Ethiopia.MethodsAn unmatched facility-based nested case-control study was carried out to identify the determinants of hazardous alcohol use among pregnant women within a prospective cohort study from 29 October 2019 to 7 May 2020. A two-stage random sampling technique was used to select 455 (113 cases and 342 controls) pregnant women. Data collection was performed using the AUDIT-C standardized and pretested questionnaire. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were computed to identify the predictors of alcohol consumption using the odds ratio, 95% CI, and p-value < 0.05.ResultsMultivariable logistic regression model revealed that no formal education of the husbands [AOR = 2.79; 95%CI: 1.24, 6.29], being housewife[AOR = 2.43; 95%CI: 1.12, 5.26], poor household wealth index[AOR = 2.65; 95%CI: 1.07, 6.54], unplanned pregnancy [AOR = 4.36;95%CI: 2.44, 7.79], poor social support [AOR = 4.9;95%CI: 2.4, 10.04], depression[AOR = 3.84;95%CI: 2.16, 6.82], and not ever heard the risk of alcohol drinking during pregnancy [AOR = 1.97; 95%CI: 1.08, 3.58] were significantly associated with hazardous alcohol use.ConclusionsRoutine alcohol screening during ANC visits creates an appropriate referral system for clinical management and provides an opportunity for healthcare workers to offer information on the potential risks associated with alcohol use in pregnancy. Antenatal care providers have a special role to play in assuring that women receive adequate advice about alcohol use and care to manage the problems especially for pregnant women with depression, poor social support, unplanned pregnancy, low socioeconomic status, and for housewives during the antenatal visits. The warning marks on alcoholic beverages including an ongoing message about the risks of alcohol use during pregnancy could be public health good strategies to minimize preventable harms attributed to alcohol consumption during pregnancy.

Dataset Information

Awareness of health effects of cooking smoke among women in the Gondar Region of Ethiopia: a pilot survey.

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Publications

Awareness of health effects of cooking smoke among women in the Gondar Region of Ethiopia: a pilot survey.

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