Effect of exposure to biomass smoke from cooking fuel types and eye disorders in women from hilly and plain regions of Nepal

Background/AimTo study the association between exposure to biomass smoke from cooking fuels andi cataract, visual acuity and ocular symptoms in women.MethodsWe conducted a community-based cross-sectional study among women (≥20 years and without a previous diagnosis of cataract, ocular trauma or diabetes or those taking steroids) from hilly and plain regions of Nepal. Eligible participants received an interview and a comprehensive eye assessment (cataract development, visual acuity test and ocular symptoms). Participants’ data on demographics, cooking fuel type and duration of use, and cooking habits were collected. We addressed potential confounders using the propensity score and other risk factors for ocular diseases through regression analysis.ResultsOf 784 participants, 30.6% used clean fuel (liquefied petroleum gas, methane, electricity) as their primary current fuel, and the remaining 69.4% used biomass fuels. Thirty-nine per cent of the total participants had cataracts—about twofold higher in those who currently used biomass fuel compared with those who used clean fuel (OR=2.27; 95% CI 1.09 to 4.77) and over threefold higher in those who always used biomass. Similarly, the nuclear cataract was twofold higher in the current biomass user group compared with the clean fuel user group (OR=2.53; 95% CI 1.18–5.42) and over threefold higher among those who always used biomass. A higher proportion of women using biomass had impaired vision, reported more ocular symptoms compared with those using clean fuel. Severe impaired vision and blindness were only present in biomass fuel users. However, the differences were only statistically significant for symptoms such as redness, burning sensation, a complaint of pain in the eye and tear in the eyes.ConclusionsCataract was more prevalent in women using biomass for cooking compared with those using clean fuel.

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Primary Cooking Fuel Choice and Respiratory Health Outcomes among Women in Charge of Household Cooking in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso: Cross-Sectional Study

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph16061040 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 16 (6) ◽

pp. 1040 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Adama Sana ◽

Nicolas Meda ◽

Gisèle Badoum ◽

Benoit Kafando ◽

Catherine Bouland

Keyword(s):

Respiratory Symptoms ◽

Respiratory Health ◽

Biomass Fuel ◽

Respiratory Morbidity ◽

Shortness Of Breath ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Cooking Fuel ◽

Breathing Difficulty ◽

Sputum Production ◽

Waking Up

Background: Approximately 3 billion people, worldwide, rely primarily on biomass for cooking. This study aimed to investigate the association between respiratory symptoms among women in charge of household cooking and the type of fuel used for cooking. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted. A total of 1705 women that were randomly selected, completed the survey. We also performed a bivariate and a multivariate analysis to verify the possible associations between respiratory symptoms in women in charge of household cooking and the type of cooking fuel used. Results: Dry cough, breathing difficulties, and throat irritation frequencies were statistically high in biomass fuel users when compared to liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) users. It was also the case for some chronic respiratory symptoms, such as sputum production, shortness of breath, wheezing, wheezing with dyspnea, wheezing without a cold, waking up with shortness of breath, waking up with coughing attacks, and waking up with breathing difficulty. After adjustment for the respondents’ and households’ characteristics; dry cough, breathing difficulties, sneezing, nose tingling, throat irritation, chronic sputum production, wheezing, wheezing with dyspnea, wheezing without a cold, waking up with shortness of breath, waking up with coughing attacks, and waking up with breathing difficulty were symptoms that remained associated to biomass fuel compared to LPG. Women who used charcoal reported the highest proportion of all the chronic respiratory symptoms compared to the firewood users. However, this difference was not statistically significant except for the wheezing, waking up with coughing attacks, and waking up with breath difficulty, after adjustment. Conclusion: Exposure to biomass smoke is responsible for respiratory health problems in women. Charcoal, which is often considered as a clean fuel compared to other biomass fuels and often recommended as an alternative to firewood, also presents health risks, including increased respiratory morbidity in women. Effective and efficient energy policies are needed to accelerate the transition to clean and sustainable energies.

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Cooking with biomass fuel and cardiovascular disease: a cross-sectional study among rural villagers in Phitsanulok, Thailand

F1000Research ◽

10.12688/f1000research.23457.2 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

pp. 307

Author(s):

Chudchawal Juntarawijit ◽

Yuwayong Juntarawijit

Keyword(s):

Cardiovascular Disease ◽

Air Pollution ◽

Coronary Heart Disease ◽

Heart Disease ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Biomass Fuel ◽

Sectional Study ◽

High Cholesterol ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Biomass Smoke

Background: Burning biomass fuel is a major source of indoor air pollution; about 40% of Thai people still use biomass for cooking. There is increasing evidence of the association between biomass smoke exposure and serious health effects including cardiovascular disease. The object of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the association between biomass use for household cooking and cardiovascular outcome, including coronary heart disease, hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes mellitus, and stroke among rural villagers in Phitsanulok, Thailand. Methods: Data from 1078 households were collected using a face-to-face interview questionnaire. In each household, data on cardiovascular disease, cooking practices, and cooking fuel, types of fuel they normally used for cooking, were collected. Results: After being adjusted for gender, age, cigarette smoke, secondhand smoke, and exposure to other sources of air pollution, it was found that the family members of cooks using biomass fuel were at risk of coronary heart disease (CHD; OR=4.35; 95%CI 0.10–18.97), hypertension (OR=1.61; 95%CI 1.10–2.35), high cholesterol (HC; OR=2.74; 95%CI 1.66–4.53), and diabetes (OR=1.88; 95%CI 1.03–3.46). Compared to LPG use, using wood was associated with stroke (OR=7.64; 95%CI 1.18–49.61), and using charcoal was associated with HC (OR=1.52; 95%CI 1.04–2.24). Compared to never user, household cooks who sometimes use charcoal had an increased risk of hypertension (OR=2.04; 95%CI 1.32–3.15), HC (OR=2.61; 95%CI 1.63–4.18), and diabetes (OR=2.09; 95%CI 1.17–3.73); and cooks who often use charcoal had an elevated risk of stroke (OR=3.17; 95%CI 1.04–9.71), and HC (OR=1.52; 95%CI 1.02–2.27) to their family members. Conclusions: The study results were consistent with those found in studies from other parts of the world, and supports that exposure to biomass smoke increase cardiovascular diseases. The issue should receive more attention, and promotion of clean fuel use is a prominent action.

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Cooking with biomass fuel and cardiovascular disease: a cross-sectional study among rural villagers in Phitsanulok, Thailand

F1000Research ◽

10.12688/f1000research.23457.1 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

pp. 307

Author(s):

Chudchawal Juntarawijit ◽

Yuwayong Juntarawijit

Keyword(s):

Cardiovascular Disease ◽

Air Pollution ◽

Coronary Heart Disease ◽

Heart Disease ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Biomass Fuel ◽

Sectional Study ◽

High Cholesterol ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Biomass Smoke

Background: Burning biomass fuel is a major source of indoor air pollution; about 40% of Thai people still use biomass for cooking. There is increasing evidence of the association between biomass smoke exposure and serious health effects including cardiovascular disease. The object of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the association between biomass use for household cooking and cardiovascular outcome, including coronary heart disease, hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes mellitus, and stroke among rural villagers in Phitsanulok, Thailand. Methods: Data from 1078 households were collected using a face-to-face interview questionnaire. Results: After being adjusted for gender, age, cigarette smoke, secondhand smoke, and exposure to other sources of air pollution, it was found that the family members of cooks using biomass fuel were at risk of coronary heart disease (CHD; OR=4.35; 95%CI 0.10–18.97), high blood pressure (HBP; OR=1.61; 95%CI 1.10–2.35), high cholesterol (HC; OR=2.74; 95%CI 1.66–4.53), and diabetes (OR= 1.88; 95%CI 1.03–3.46). Compared to LPG use, using wood was associated with stroke (OR=7.64; 95%CI 1.18–49.61), and using charcoal was associated with HC (OR=1.52; 95%CI 1.04–2.24). Compared to never user, household cooks who sometimes use charcoal had an increased risk of HBP (OR=2.04; 95%CI 1.32–3.15), HC (OR=2.61; 95%CI 1.63–4.18), and diabetes (OR=2.09; 95%CI 1.17–3.73); and cooks who often use charcoal had an elevated risk of stroke (OR=3.17; 95%CI 1.04–9.71), and HC (OR=1.52; 95%CI 1.02–2.27) to their family members. Conclusions: The study results were consistent with those found in studies from other parts of the world, and supports that exposure to biomass smoke increase cardiovascular diseases. The issue should receive more attention, and promotion of clean fuel use is a prominent action.

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Respiratory Health Status of Rural Women Exposed to Liquefied Petroleum Gas and Solid Biomass Fuel Emissions

Air Soil and Water Research ◽

10.1177/1178622119874314 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

pp. 117862211987431 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Maninder Kaur-Sidhu ◽

Khaiwal Ravindra ◽

Suman Mor ◽

Siby John ◽

Ashutosh N Aggarwal

Keyword(s):

Health Status ◽

Lung Function ◽

Rural Women ◽

Respiratory Health ◽

Biomass Fuel ◽

Liquefied Petroleum Gas ◽

High Concentration ◽

Clean Fuel ◽

Solid Biomass Fuel ◽

Solid Biomass

Combustion of solid biomass fuel (SBF) releases a high concentration of airborne pollutants, resulting in household air pollution (HAP). HAP is considered as a leading risk factor for the development of various respiratory diseases. The increased exposure to HAP significantly affects the health of the vulnerable population, including the women, elderly, and children who stay indoors for most of the time. Considering this, self-reported respiratory health symptoms were assessed using a standard American Thoracic Society (ATS) questionnaire, whereas lung function capacity of women using SBF, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and mix fuels were assessed using a cross-sectional study design. Lung function capacity was examined with help of spirometry. Results suggest that compared with LPG users, SBF and mix fuel users had a relatively high prevalence of phlegm (25.7%), cough (54%), and eye irritation (74.3%). Use of SBF was found to be associated significantly with lower forced expiratory volume in the first second of expiration (FEV1) values ( P < .01). The study concludes that women cooking with SBF and mix fuels have an impact on lung function and increased prevalence of respiratory symptoms. The findings suggest that women who cook using LPG have improved lung function and respiratory health status. Hence, it is suggested to increase the scope of clean fuel programmes such as Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) by identifying the barriers for the choice of clean fuel uses for household energy.

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Visual Acuity’s Association With Levels of Leisure-Time Physical Activity in Community-Dwelling Older Adults

Journal of Aging and Physical Activity ◽

10.1123/japa.20.1.1 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

pp. 1-14 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Mark W. Swanson ◽

Eric Bodner ◽

Patricia Sawyer ◽

Richard M. Allman

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older Adults ◽

Visual Acuity ◽

Leisure Time ◽

Leisure Time Physical Activity ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

University Of Alabama ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The University

Little is known about the effect of reduced vision on physical activity in older adults. This study evaluates the association of visual acuity level, self-reported vision, and ocular disease conditions with leisure-time physical activity and calculated caloric expenditure. A cross-sectional study of 911 subjects 65 yr and older from the University of Alabama at Birmingham Study of Aging (SOA) cohort was conducted evaluating the association of vision-related variables to weekly kilocalorie expenditure calculated from the 17-item Leisure Time Physical Activity Questionnaire. Ordinal logistic regression was used to evaluate possible associations while controlling for potential confounders. In multivariate analyses, each lower step in visual acuity below 20/50 was significantly associated with reduced odds of having a higher level of physical activity, OR 0.81, 95% CI 0.67, 0.97. Reduced visual acuity appears to be independently associated with lower levels of physical activity among community-dwelling adults.

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Assessing the Respiratory Effects of Air Pollution from Biomass Cookstoves on Pregnant Women in Rural India

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18010183 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

pp. 183

Author(s):

Raj Parikh ◽

Sowmya R. Rao ◽

Rakesh Kukde ◽

George T. O'Connor ◽

Archana Patel ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Air Pollution ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Central India ◽

Respiratory Illness ◽

Biomass Fuel ◽

Second Hand Smoke ◽

Rural India ◽

P Value ◽

Liquefied Petroleum Gas ◽

Respiratory Effects

Background: In India, biomass fuel is burned in many homes under inefficient conditions, leading to a complex milieu of particulate matter and environmental toxins known as household air pollution (HAP). Pregnant women are particularly vulnerable as they and their fetus may suffer from adverse consequences of HAP. Fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) is a noninvasive, underutilized tool that can serve as a surrogate for airway inflammation. We evaluated the prevalence of respiratory illness, using pulmonary questionnaires and FeNO measurements, among pregnant women in rural India who utilize biomass fuel as a source of energy within their home. Methods: We prospectively studied 60 pregnant women in their 1st and 2nd trimester residing in villages near Nagpur, Central India. We measured FeNO levels in parts per billion (ppb), St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ-C) scores, and the Modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) Dyspnea Scale. We evaluated the difference in the outcome distributions between women using biomass fuels and those using liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) using two-tailed t-tests. Results: Sixty-five subjects (32 in Biomass households; 28 in LPG households; 5 unable to complete) were enrolled in the study. Age, education level, and second-hand smoke exposure were comparable between both groups. FeNO levels were higher in the Biomass vs. LPG group (25.4 ppb vs. 8.6 ppb; p-value = 0.001). There was a difference in mean composite SGRQ-C score (27.1 Biomass vs. 10.8 LPG; p-value < 0.001) including three subtotal scores for Symptoms (47.0 Biomass vs. 20.2 LPG; p-value< 0.001), Activity (36.4 Biomass vs. 16.5 LPG; p-value < 0.001) and Impact (15.9 Biomass vs. 5.2 LPG; p-value < 0.001). The mMRC Dyspnea Scale was higher in the Biomass vs. LPG group as well (2.9 vs. 0.5; p < 0.001). Conclusion: Increased FeNO levels and higher dyspnea scores in biomass-fuel-exposed subjects confirm the adverse respiratory effects of this exposure during pregnancy. More so, FeNO may be a useful, noninvasive biomarker of inflammation that can help better understand the physiologic effects of biomass smoke on pregnant women. In the future, larger studies are needed to characterize the utility of FeNO in a population exposed to HAP.

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Relationship between Body Mass Index, Blood Pressure, and Visual Acuity in Residents of Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria

Physiology Journal ◽

10.1155/2014/510460 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2014 ◽

pp. 1-5 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

I. O. Ernest-Nwoke ◽

M. O. Ozor ◽

U. Akpamu ◽

M. O. Oyakhire

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Body Mass Index ◽

Visual Acuity ◽

Body Weight ◽

Local Government ◽

Body Mass ◽

Local Government Area ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Snellen Chart ◽

Edo State

Aim. To study the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure (BP) on visual acuity among apparently healthy residents of Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. Methodology. This is a cross-sectional descriptive study among 225 subjects (ages of 18–35 years) from whom BP, body weight, and height were collected. Visual acuity was measured using the Snellen chart following standard procedures of number of letters seen at 6-metre distance. The data were then analyzed using SPSS version 17. Results. The sampled population consists of 112 male and 113 female (mean age 31.72±14.2 years). Majority (180) of the respondents had normal visual acuity. However, compared with the respondents with normal BMI (R19.61±1.5; L19.67±1.70), visual acuity of underweight (R18.53±2.30; L18.53±2.70) and obese (R15.68±4.79; L17.73±1.70) were more deviated. Similarly, compared with respondent with normal BP (120–125/80–85 mmHg; R18.00±2.53; L18.07±3.11), hypotensive (R15.5±7.35; L15.00±10.20), and hypertensive (R15.01±21.25; L15.00±11.91) respondents had deviated visual acuity. Conclusion. Abnormal body weight (underweight and obese) and BP (hypotension and hypertension) have potential negative impacts on visual acuity. Based on the observed relationship between weights, BP, and visual acuity, eye examinations can be included as regular screening exercise for abnormal BMI and BP conditions.

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Household Cooking Fuel Patterns in Rural India: Pre- and Post-Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana

Indian Journal of Human Development ◽

10.1177/0973703020975045 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 14 (3) ◽

pp. 518-526

Author(s):

Rahul Ranjan ◽

Sudershan Singh

Keyword(s):

Poverty Line ◽

Rural India ◽

Manufacturing Companies ◽

Liquefied Petroleum Gas ◽

Large Share ◽

Huge Number ◽

Cooking Fuel ◽

The Government ◽

Consumption Demand ◽

Central Scheme

This article analyses the performance and limitations of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY), a central scheme launched in the year 2016 for the provision of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) connections to Below Poverty Line households in the country. It shows that the scheme offered more than 80 million LPG connections and contributed to a sharp replacement of traditional fuel (firewood, kerosene, dung cake, etc.) between the years 2014 and 2018. However, a large share of these new consumers appears to have stopped LPG consumption soon after the distribution under the scheme. This is clearly evident in the huge number of inactive LPG connections which continue to increase—from 35.8 million inactive connections in the country in 2017 to 43.2 million in 2019. Though PMUY contributed to the increase in LPG connections, it failed to accelerate its consumption demand among the beneficiaries. Nearly ₹128 billion has been spent by the government in form of subsidies and around 70% of the PMUY beneficiaries have availed loans from Oil Manufacturing Companies (OMCs). If the LPG consumption fails to accelerate, these one-time subsidies provided by the government will fail to achieve the objective and the loans disbursed by the OMCs may turn into non-performing assets.

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Association of biomass fuel smoke exposure and hypertension among rural women of Bangladesh: A cross-sectional study

Indian Journal of Public Health ◽

10.4103/ijph.ijph_462_18 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 63 (3) ◽

pp. 258 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Nilima Barman ◽

MAtiqul Haque ◽

AK. M. Fazlur Rahman ◽

M Khalequzzaman ◽

SaidurR Mashreky

Keyword(s):

Rural Women ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Smoke Exposure ◽

Biomass Fuel ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional

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PREVALENCE OF COMPUTER VISION SYNDROME AMONG UNDERGRADUATE PHYSICAL THERAPY STUDENTS

Pakistan Journal of Rehabilitation ◽

10.36283/pjr.zu.10.2/012 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

pp. 63-68

Author(s):

Farah Deeba

Keyword(s):

Computer Vision ◽

Physical Therapy ◽

Screen Time ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Blurred Vision ◽

Visual Rehabilitation ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Ocular Symptoms ◽

Computer Vision Syndrome ◽

Physical Therapy Student

BACKGROUND AND AIM Computers and other digital screens have become an integral part of our life. It raises various ocular problems in the user due to excessive screen time, this study aims to determine the frequency of computer vision syndrome (CVS) in population of under graduate physical therapy student. METHODOLOGY This was cross-sectional study conducted at Ziauddin College of Rehabilitation Sciences; Karachi during June 2019 to September 2020.A total number of 340 candidates of age 22 years ± 1.8 including both genders participated in this study. A questionnaire was designed to collect data which was statistically analyzed on SPSS version 20. Whereas descriptive data was calculated as mean, median, mode and standard deviation using graphical representations. RESULTS 88.5% of the students used mobile phones for study purpose out of which 35.3% use it for 4-7 hour and 33% use for 7 to 10 hours a day. The ocular symptoms that students face was burning of eyes (40%), tearing (55%), eye redness (45.3%), diplopia 31.8%, blurred vision (42.9%), eye dryness (23.8%), while extra ocular symptom that was noticed in the study included headache too was (67.9%). CONCLUSION This study showed that most of the students were found to have a CVS thus screen time guide lines and visual rehabilitation must established.

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