Linkages between Respiratory Symptoms in Women and Biofuel Use: Regional Case Study of Rajasthan, India

Priti Parikh, Corina Shika Kwami, Vivekanand Vivekanand, Kunwar Paritosh and Monica Lakhanpaul
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Priti Parikh: Civil, Environment and Geomatic Engineering, University College London, London WC1E 6DE, UK
Corina Shika Kwami: Civil, Environment and Geomatic Engineering, University College London, London WC1E 6DE, UK
Vivekanand Vivekanand: Centre for Energy and Environment, Malaviya National Institute of Technology, Jaipur, Rajasthan 302017, India
Kunwar Paritosh: Centre for Energy and Environment, Malaviya National Institute of Technology, Jaipur, Rajasthan 302017, India
Monica Lakhanpaul: Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London WC1E 6DE, UK

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 19, 1-13

Abstract: Women in low and middle-income countries predominantly use biofuel for cooking, resulting in potential adverse health outcomes. In India, it is estimated that about 40% of total primary energy consumption is in the domestic sector with biofuels alone accounting for about 75% of domestic energy consumption. This study assesses linkages between wood consumption and perceptions of women’s health, combining results from a rapid assessment of eight rural districts in Rajasthan with a regression analysis of data from Rajasthan State (sample size 41,965 women) from the Demographic and Health Survey 7 dataset (2015–2016). The results of the rapid survey indicate that women who cook with biofuels perceive adverse health outcomes. Educational level, income, and age have an impact on fuel consumption and clean fuel purchased. The regression model drawing upon data on women at a regional level in Rajasthan yielded significant results suggesting a strong association between fuel type and symptoms of respiratory infection controlling for age and education. This research is timely as it provides valuable evidence for India’s Ujjawala Scheme which has the mandate of providing LPG connections to women from below the poverty line.

Keywords: biofuel; women; cooking; Ujjawala; Rajasthan; respiratory infection (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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