Common symptoms experienced while cooking with biomass fuel among pregnant women in South Gondar zone

Abstract

Daily combustion of solid biomass fuels in traditional stoves, a practice affecting 2.6 billion people globally, releases substantial amounts of particulate matter and chemicals into the air. Exposure to these pollutants is a well-established risk factor for cardiorespiratory and systemic diseases. However, limited research exists on common health symptoms experienced by pregnant women cooking in rural Northwest Ethiopia. This study aimed at assessing the common health symptoms experienced during cooking and associated factor among 422 pregnant women in rural Northwest Ethiopia. We collected data on sociodemographic, economic, and cooking practice variables, using both bivariate and multivariate logistic regression to identify associated factors. Among pregnant women using biomass fuel, 338 (82%) reported at least one respiratory symptom (cough, wheezing, shortness of breath), while 312 (74%) experienced at least one non-respiratory symptom (eye irritation, headache, blurred vision) during cooking. Older age (AOR = 3.43, 95% CI 1.59,7.42), large family size (AOR = 2.32, 95% CI 1.37, 3.92), attached kitchens (AOR = 3.40, 95% CI 1.81, 6.38), lack of ventilation (AOR = 2.62, 95% CI 1.46, 4.82), more frequent fire ignition (AOR = 3.00, 95% CI 1.17,7.17) and use of mixed fuel (AOR = 3.52, 95% CI 1.72, 7.20) were associated with self-reported respiratory symptoms. Similarly, large family size (AOR = 1.70, 95% CI 1.06, 2.74), attached kitchen (AOR = 2.62. 95% CI 1.41, 4.89), cooked more than three times per day (AOR = 2.89, 95% CI 1.23, 6.80), lack of ventilation (AOR = 1.7, 95% CI 1.00, 2.78) were associated with self-reported non-respiratory symptoms. This study reveals a high prevalence of respiratory and non-respiratory symptoms among rural Ethiopian pregnant women due to biomass fuel use. Older age, large family size, poor ventilation, and frequent cooking were significantly associated with these symptoms, highlighting the urgent need for interventions to reduce exposure and improve indoor air quality.