Unique photovoice tells story of household air pollution and health impacts in informal settlements
What is it about?
Around 2.4 billion people globally depend on solid fuels like wood and charcoal for cooking, causing about 3.2 million deaths each year from diseases linked to poor air quality at home. In Africa, household air pollution from these fuels leads to nearly 700,000 deaths annually. Most research has focused on the health effects of air pollution or on ways to reduce it, but less is known about the economic, social, and cultural factors that contribute to it in Africa. This study aimed to better understand the experiences of people using solid fuels in two informal settlements, Ndirande in Malawi and Mukuru in Kenya, and the harms caused by household air pollution. The study used a method called photovoice, where participants took pictures over two weeks to show their experiences with household air pollution. The pictures were discussed and analyzed in group meetings. The results showed that people used a mix of charcoal, firewood, and other fuels, and were aware of the health risks from smoke. Participants also shared ways they tried to reduce these harms at home, discussed who is responsible for getting the fuels, and suggested solutions for switching to cleaner cooking fuels. In conclusion, this study emphasizes the importance of understanding the everyday lives of people in informal settlements who use solid fuels, and the need to involve them in finding solutions to reduce the health risks of household air pollution.
Why is it important?
This is an important study, because very few have focused on informal settlement settings ( slums) , and few have explored perspectives of those most affected. This community engagement, and this type of participatory research is key to placing those populations at the heart of the solutions required