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We investigate the impact of household air pollution on household health outcomes using the Uganda National Household Survey (2017) and employ a probit model with selection. Results reveal that exposure to household air pollution is significantly associated with cough and fever incidences among household members, with the young ones being more vulnerable. Also, low education level of household head, cooking indoors in a living house, and poverty significantly increases chances of contracting cough and fever. Also, findings show that having a separate indoor built kitchen, high education, being male, residing in urban areas and staying in the northern and western regions significantly reduce the likelihood of contracting cough and fever. Thus, strategies for behavioural interventions such as promoting outdoor cooking and raising awareness of the health hazards associated with household air pollution, good household planning and adoption of clean fuel could be a promising path for policy makers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: While 5% of 247 million global malaria cases are reported in Uganda, it is also a top refugee hosting country in Africa, with over 1.36 million refugees. Despite malaria being an emerging challenge for humanitarian response in refugee settlements, little is known about its risk factors. This study aimed to investigate the risk factors for malaria infections among children under 5 years of age in refugee settlements in Uganda. Methods: We utilized data from Uganda's Malaria Indicator Survey which was conducted between December 2018 and February 2019 at the peak of malaria season. In this national survey, household level information was obtained using standardized questionnaires and a total of 7787 children under 5 years of age were tested for malaria using mainly the rapid diagnostic test. We focused on 675 malaria tested children under five in refugee settlements located in Yumbe, Arua, Adjumani, Moyo, Lamwo, Kiryadongo, Kyegegwa, Kamwenge and Isingiro districts. The extracted variables included prevalence of malaria, demographic, social-economic and environmental information. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify and define the malaria associated risk factors. Results: Overall, malaria prevalence in all refugee settlements across the nine hosting districts was 36.6%. Malaria infections were higher in refugee settlements located in Isingiro (98.7%), Kyegegwa (58.6%) and Arua (57.4%) districts. Several risk factors were significantly associated with acquisition of malaria including fetching water from open water sources [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.22, 95% CI: 0.08–0.59, P = 0.002], boreholes (aOR = 2.11, 95% CI: 0.91–4.89, P = 0.018) and water tanks (aOR = 4.47, 95% CI: 1.67–11.9, P = 0.002). Other factors included pit-latrines (aOR = 1.48, 95% CI: 1.03–2.13, P = 0.033), open defecation (aOR = 3.29, 95% CI: 1.54–7.05, P = 0.002), lack of insecticide treated bed nets (aOR = 1.15, 95% CI: 0.43–3.13, P = 0.003) and knowledge on the causes of malaria (aOR = 1.09, 95% CI: 0.79–1.51, P = 0.005). Conclusions: The persistence of the malaria infections were mainly due to open water sources, poor hygiene, and lack of preventive measures that enhanced mosquito survival and infection. Malaria elimination in refugee settlements requires an integrated control approach that combines environmental management with other complementary measures like insecticide treated bed nets, indoor residual spraying and awareness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Over the years, there has been advocacy for use of improved cookstoves as one of the initiatives towards reducing overdependence on biomass energy. There is growing concern that the use of biomass energy may expose users to pollution which may be detrimental to their health. This study aimed at examining the health concerns of women attributed to access and use of biomass fuel in rural areas of Western Uganda. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was employed where 193 respondents and 10 key informants participated in the interviews. Four focused group discussions were held in the districts of Mbarara and Bushenyi in Western Uganda. Quantitative data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences, while qualitative data were analyzed using the thematic approach. Results: Dependence on biomass energy may expose users especially women to both physical and psychological health challenges. Findings suggest that the type of cookstove and cooking structure contribute to indoor air pollution. Women are exposed to pollution while preparing meals using biomass fuel which may lead to respiratory complications and other health-related challenges. Additionally, while gathering biomass fuel, women may be exposed to other risks and hazards that may lead to poor health and or trauma. Conclusion: It is crucial for different stakeholders from both the public and private sectors to promote use of improved cookstoves through sensitization programs, promotional campaigns, and development of supportive regulatory frameworks for the well-being of women and their families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Poor indoor air quality (IAQ) is a leading cause of respiratory and cardiopulmonary illnesses. Particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) and carbon monoxide (CO) are critical indicators of IAQ, yet there is limited evidence of their concentrations in informal urban settlements in low-income countries., Objective: This study assessed household characteristics that predict the concentrations of PM 2.5 and CO within households in an informal settlement in Fort Portal City, Uganda., Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 374 households. Concentrations of PM 2.5 and CO were measured using a multi-purpose laser particle detector and a carbon monoxide IAQ meter, respectively. Data on household characteristics were collected using a structured questionnaire and an observational checklist. Data were analysed using STATA version 14.0. Linear regression was used to establish the relationship between PM 2.5, CO concentrations and household cooking characteristics., Results: The majority (89%, 332/374) of the households used charcoal for cooking. More than half (52%, 194/374) cooked outdoors. Cooking areas had significantly higher PM 2.5 and CO concentrations (t = 18.14, p ≤ 0.05) and (t = 5.77 p ≤ 0.05), respectively. Cooking outdoors was associated with a 0.112 increase in the PM 2.5 concentrations in the cooking area (0.112 [95% CI: -0.069, 1.614; p = 0.033]). Cooking with moderately polluting fuel was associated with a 0.718 increase in CO concentrations (0.718 [95% CI: 0.084, 1.352; p = 0.027]) in the living area., Conclusions: The cooking and the living areas had high concentrations of PM 2.5 and CO during the cooking time. Cooking with charcoal resulted in higher CO in the living area. Furthermore, cooking outdoors did not have a protective effect against PM 2.5 , and ambient PM 2.5 exceeded the WHO Air quality limits. Interventions to improve the indoor air quality in informal settlements should promote a switch to cleaner cooking energy and improvement in the ambient air quality., (© 2022. The Author(s).)