Communityawareness about household air pollution and associated respiratory symptoms in Namuwongo slum,Makindye division,Kampala.

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background Household air pollution (HAP) is one of the world’s Environmental Health problem. The use of solid fuels is associated with non-communicable diseases including stroke, ischaemic heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer. However, whether the extent to which slum residents are exposed to household air pollution as well as whether slum residents are aware of the risks associated with the exposure have not been studied. Namuwongo slum is one of the suburb in Kampala beset with difficulties in air pollution both Household and outdoor air pollution. This research provided evidence based information on the common biomass fuel used in Namuwongo slum, the awareness levels about HAP, and the common respiratory symptoms faced by the people in the slum. Objective The main objective of the study was to assess community awareness about household air pollution and associated respiratory symptoms among adults in Namuwongo slum, Makindye division, Kampala Uganda Methods It was a mixed method study conducted in Namuwongo slum in Makindye division, Kampala among the households. The study included 227 respondents and two focus groups discussions. Quantitative data was collected using a pretested, semi structured questionnaire uploaded on epicollect5 web and mobile application. Qualitative data was collected using focus group discussion guide. Quantitative data was cleaned and analysed using STATA 13.0 to generate the frequencies and percentages which were presented in frequency Tables, and Graphs. Qualitative data was transcribed to generate transcripts. The transcripts were read through several times to generate themes. The categories of the themes were interpreted for their descriptive meaning and the quotes from the content were presented in the result section.