Low-smoke chulha in Indian slums: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health
• Public Health
• Respiratory Medicine

Background:

• Biomass fuel use for cooking affects over half the global population, leading to significant disease burden.
• Financial and infrastructural barriers limit access to cleaner fuels in urban slums, perpetuating solid fuel use.
• Improved cookstoves, co-designed with communities, aim to address these challenges for sustained adoption.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the efficacy of an improved cookstove in reducing personal exposure to air pollution.
• To assess the impact of improved cookstoves on the respiratory health of women and children in an Indian slum.
• To evaluate the adoption and behavioral changes associated with the use of a co-designed low-smoke chulha.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial involving 250 households in an Indian slum (Ashrayanagar, Bangalore).
• Intervention group received an improved cookstove (low-smoke chulha); control group used traditional or kerosene/diesel stoves.
• Outcomes measured over 1 year include lung function (FEV1/FVC), pneumonia incidence, PM2.5 and CO exposure, respiratory symptoms, and stove adoption.

Main Results:

• The study aims to provide evidence on the reduction of indoor air pollution.
• Expected results include improvements in respiratory health indicators for women and children.
• Data on behavioral changes and sustained adoption of the improved cookstove will be collected.

Conclusions:

• Improved cookstoves offer a viable solution to mitigate indoor air pollution in urban slums.
• The findings are expected to support policy and interventions aimed at improving respiratory health in vulnerable populations.
• Community co-creation is key to successful and sustainable implementation of cleaner cooking technologies.