Community-based firewood stove programmes have been introduced in several African countries to reduce deforestation and improve household energy security. In Kenya, these initiatives are aimed at mitigating indoor air pollution caused by traditional cooking methods. The research employs cross-sectional data from surveys conducted in five randomly selected villages. Indoor air quality was measured using standardised tools, and qualitative interviews were used to gather insights into stove usage patterns and community perceptions. A notable proportion (45%) of households reported a significant reduction in indoor smoke exposure after adopting the new stoves, with higher usage rates correlating with better health outcomes among women. The findings suggest that community-based firewood stoves can effectively reduce indoor air pollution levels and improve overall household well-being, particularly for women who spend more time indoors cooking. Public health authorities should promote these programmes through targeted awareness campaigns to maximise the benefits of reduced indoor smoke exposure in Kenyan villages.
Kiprop et al. (Thu,) studied this question.