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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
medicine
Wood smoke exposure, poverty and impaired lung function in Malawian adults
International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, Volume 15, No. 3, Year 2011
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Description
BACKGROUND: Household air pollution from burning biomass fuel is increasingly recognised as a major global health concern. Biomass smoke is associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Asian and Central American countries, but there are few data from Africa. METHODS: We hypothesised that reported wood smoke as compared to charcoal smoke exposure would be associated with a reduction in forced expiratory volume in 1 second in Malawian adults. Volunteers from urban and rural locations performed spirometry and completed a questionnaire assessing lifestyle, including smoke exposure and symptoms. RESULTS: In total, 374 adults were recruited; 61% were female; 160 cooked using charcoal and 174 used wood. Individuals who used wood as their main domestic fuel had significantly worse lung function than those who used charcoal. Significant factors associated with impaired lung function in the multivariate model were age, sex, height, wood smoke exposure, poverty, smoking and previous tuberculosis. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that wood smoke and poverty contribute to reduced lung function in rural Africans and that COPD is common in this population. The use of charcoal in rural populations may be relatively protective, and this idea merits further study. The risk factors for impaired lung function in Malawi are multiple and require more detailed characterisation to plan appropriate health interventions. ©2011 The Union.
Authors & Co-Authors
Fullerton, Duncan G.
Malawi, Zomba
University of Malawi
United Kingdom, Liverpool
Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine
United Kingdom, Liverpool
University of Liverpool
Semple, Sean E.
United Kingdom, Aberdeen
University of Aberdeen
Malamba, Rose D.
Malawi, Zomba
University of Malawi
White, Sarah Ann
Malawi, Zomba
University of Malawi
Calverley, Peter M.A.
United Kingdom, Liverpool
University of Liverpool
Gordon, Stephen B.
United Kingdom, Liverpool
Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine
Statistics
Citations: 70
Authors: 6
Affiliations: 4
Identifiers
ISSN:
10273719
Research Areas
Environmental
Noncommunicable Diseases
Study Design
Cross Sectional Study
Study Locations
Malawi
Participants Gender
Female