“It Is Good for My Family’s Health and Cooks Food in a Way That My Heart Loves”: Qualitative Findings and Implications for Scaling Up an Improved Cookstove Project in Rural Kenya

Bobbie Person, Jennifer D. Loo, Mercy Owuor, Lorraine Ogange, Maria Elena D. Jefferds and Adam L. Cohen
Additional contact information
Bobbie Person: Office of the Director, National Center for Zoonotic and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,1600 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA
Jennifer D. Loo: Respiratory Diseases Branch, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,1600 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA
Mercy Owuor: Kenya Medical Research Institute, Box 1578, Kisumu, Kenya
Lorraine Ogange: Kenya Medical Research Institute, Box 1578, Kisumu, Kenya
Maria Elena D. Jefferds: International Micronutrient Malnutrition Prevention and Control Program, Divisions of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,1600 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA
Adam L. Cohen: Respiratory Diseases Branch, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,1600 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA

IJERPH, 2012, vol. 9, issue 5, 1-15

Abstract: The use of indoor, three-stone fire pits in resource–poor countries is a substantial burden on human health and the environment. We conducted a pilot intervention promoting the purchase and use of an improved cookstove in rural Kenya. The goals of this qualitative inquiry were to understand the motivation to purchase and use; perceived benefits and challenges of cookstove use; and the most influential promotion activities for scaling up future cookstove promotion. Purposive sampling was used to recruit 10 cookstove promoters and 30 cookstove purchasers in the Luo community. Qualitative semi-structured interviews were transcribed and a thematic analysis conducted. Women reported the need for less firewood, fuel cost savings, reduced smoke, improved cooking efficiency, reduced eye irritation, lung congestion and coughing as major benefits of the cookstove. Cost appeared to be a barrier to wider adoption. The most persuasive promotion strategies were interpersonal communication through social networks and cooking demonstrations. Despite this cost barrier, many women still considered the improved cookstove to be a great asset within their household. This inquiry provided important guidance for future cookstove implementation projects.

Keywords: improved cookstoves; developing countries; indoor air pollution; formative research (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2012
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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