Exploring the Effects of Biomass Fuel Usage on Anemia in Pregnant Women of Rural Remote, Forestry and Hilly Region: A Community-Based Observational Study

Chhabra S and Kumar N

Published on: 2024-04-06

Abstract

Background: Household biomass fuel might increase chances of anemia during pregnancy. Community-based prospective study was carried out to know relationship of biomass fuel use and anemia in rural pregnant women. Methodology: Study was conducted in 100 villages around village with health facility. Villages were randomly divided into 50 interventional, 50 control villages. Intervention villages were subdivided into 40 villages where advocacy about ill-effects of biomass fuel was done, 10 villages where with advocacy, chimneys were installed, in control villages, neither advocacy nor chimneys. Mean hemoglobin levels were compared between pregnant women of intervention and control villages.

Results: There were 3400 pregnant women in intervention villages and 2818 in control villages. Of 2700 women in 40 intervention villages, 79.1% used biomass fuel, whereas 20.9% were non-users (p=0.001). In 10 villages with chimneys, there were 700 pregnant women, 73.9% used biomass fuel, 32.1% were non-users (p=0.001). In 50 control villages there were 2818 pregnant women, 81.2% used biomass fuel, 18.8% were non-users (p=0.001). A significant difference in incidence and severity of anemia was observed between 40 biomass-user intervention villages and 50 biomass-user control villages (p=0.001). Furthermore, significant difference was observed in incidence and severity of anemia between 50 biomass-user control villages and 10 biomass-user intervention villages where both advocacy and chimneys were installed (p=0.001). Incidence and severity of anemia was significantly lesser in 10 intervention villages as compared to 40 intervention villages with advocacy alone.

Conclusion: Effects of biomass fuel on anemia were significant. Interventions like advocacy and chimney installation significantly reduced risk of anemia in pregnant women.