Liquefied Petroleum Gas Fuel Trends After the Household Air Pollution Intervention Network Trial Open Access
Arias, Jesus (Spring 2024)
Abstract
Household air pollution (HAP) caused by burning solid biomass fuel leads to serious health problems such as high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease. Cleaner fuels which may reduce health impacts exist, however, efforts to improve adoption among biomass users need further study. The Household Air Pollution Intervention Network (HAPIN) provided free liquified petroleum gas (LPG) fuel to enrolled pregnant women across Guatemala, India, and Rwanda to analyze the health benefits of fuel switching to cleaner alternatives. Following completion of the trial period and discontinuation of free LPG supply, extended follow-up evaluated continued LPG use one and two years later amongst both intervention and control households.
During the trial period LPG adoption and adherence were high in the intervention group. However, this study focused on the sustained changes after the study, considering socio-economic status (SES), household size, and education level as potential influencing factors. The outcome for the follow-up was categorized as households reporting either using some LPG or no LPG, exclusive LPG, exclusive biomass, or combined (“stacked”) fuel usage.
Following the completion of the trial, there was a notable decline in LPG use among intervention households and little uptake of LPG among control households. There was some variation by country, but this was mainly attributable to post-trial treatment of controls in India who received LPG in consideration for participation in the trial. High SES was consistently associated with increased odds of continued LPG use, both exclusively and alongside biomass and stacked usage, suggesting economic factors play a role in sustaining cleaner fuel use. A larger number of persons per household had a tendency towards biomass and stacked usage, indicating possible economic and practical constraints. Education levels had mixed associations with fuel choice, underscoring the complexity of factors influencing the adoption of cleaner cooking technologies.
This study showed the challenges of sustaining use of cleaner fuel LPG in low and middle-income countries. It also demonstrated the need for targeted policies and interventions that address the educational and economic barriers to adopting and maintaining cleaner cooking practices.
Table of Contents
Introduction 1
Methods 4
Results 8
Discussion 22
Conclusion 26
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