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Linkages between Respiratory Symptoms in Women and Biofuel Use: Regional Case Study of Rajasthan, India.

ABSTRACT: Women in low and middle-income countries predominantly use biofuel for cooking, resulting in potential adverse health outcomes. In India, it is estimated that about 40% of total primary energy consumption is in the domestic sector with biofuels alone accounting for about 75% of domestic energy consumption. This study assesses linkages between wood consumption and perceptions of women's health, combining results from a rapid assessment of eight rural districts in Rajasthan with a regression analysis of data from Rajasthan State (sample size 41,965 women) from the Demographic and Health Survey 7 dataset (2015-2016). The results of the rapid survey indicate that women who cook with biofuels perceive adverse health outcomes. Educational level, income, and age have an impact on fuel consumption and clean fuel purchased. The regression model drawing upon data on women at a regional level in Rajasthan yielded significant results suggesting a strong association between fuel type and symptoms of respiratory infection controlling for age and education. This research is timely as it provides valuable evidence for India's Ujjawala Scheme which has the mandate of providing LPG connections to women from below the poverty line.

SUBMITTER: Parikh P

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6801899 | biostudies-other | 2019 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other

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Linkages between Respiratory Symptoms in Women and Biofuel Use: Regional Case Study of Rajasthan, India.

Parikh Priti P Kwami Corina Shika CS Vivekanand Vivekanand V Paritosh Kunwar K Lakhanpaul Monica M

International journal of environmental research and public health 20190925 19

Women in low and middle-income countries predominantly use biofuel for cooking, resulting in potential adverse health outcomes. In India, it is estimated that about 40% of total primary energy consumption is in the domestic sector with biofuels alone accounting for about 75% of domestic energy consumption. This study assesses linkages between wood consumption and perceptions of women's health, combining results from a rapid assessment of eight rural districts in Rajasthan with a regression analy ...[more]

PMID: 31557896

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Dataset Information

Linkages between Respiratory Symptoms in Women and Biofuel Use: Regional Case Study of Rajasthan, India.

Publications

Linkages between Respiratory Symptoms in Women and Biofuel Use: Regional Case Study of Rajasthan, India.

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