Household fuel use and acute respiratory infections among younger children: an exposure assessment in Shebedino Wereda, Southern Ethiopia
SUMMARY Background: the health impacts of exposure to indoor air pollution have yet to become a central focus of research, development aid and policy-making. Objective: To investigate the effect of household fuel use on acute respiratory infection in younger children at Shebedino Wereda. Study method: The study design was cross-sectional, which employed an exposure assessment approach, collecting detailed primary data on several household-level exposure indicators (fuel type, stove type, kitchen type, housing type, ventilation, etc.) through the administration of a questionnaire in 405 households. Data were collected during January to February 2006. Result: The response rate for the sampled households was 100%. ARI prevalence of the study area (21%) was found to be lower as compared to the national figure in 2000 (24%). The study approach appears to demonstrate a relatively consistent association between child handling practice while cooking and childhood ARI. Conclusion: