Effects of Biomass Fuel on Child Acute Respiratory Infections in Rural Areas of Cameroon and Gabon

摘要

Use of biomass cooking fuel is a known risk factor of child Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI). However, studies so far did not focus on rural areas where biomass fuel use is common. The purpose of this study was to measure the effect of biomass fuel on child ARI in rural areas of Cameroon and Gabon. The analysis was based on DHS national surveys. Logistic regression helped to estimate the risk of suffering from ARI among rural children living in households using only biomass fuel compared to children living in households using a mix of gas and biomass fuel, after controlling for several confounders. In both countries, the relationship was significant, although ARI prevalence in Gabon was twice higher. In Cameroon, the effect was stronger and regional differentials were striking, rural children from the North West region being 23 times more affected than those from rural areas of Littoral.