The Division of Public Health at the University of Liverpool is committed to excellence in research and teaching to promote health and reduce inequities. Our work in household energy and health is focused on two main areas (a) epidemiological studies to improve our understanding of health risks associated with exposure to indoor air pollution (IAP) in developing countries, and (b) to support the development, implementation and evaluation of interventions and policies to reduce IAP exposure and realise other benefits associated with better access to cleaner and more efficient household energy.
Contact Information
Our Focus
Guatemala: 500 rural homes (San Marcos) participating in randomised trial of impact of plancha chimney stove on IAP exposure, pneumonia incidence (children aged up to 18 months), and mothers lung health, carried out in collaboration with Kirk Smith (UC Berkeley) and Byron Arana (University del Valle, Guatemala). The generalisability of this study is currently being assessed, but it is anticipated that the findings will have relevance to populations exposed to solid fuel pollution elsewhere in Guatemala, and internationally. Kenya, Sudan and Nepal: In collaboration with Practical Action, around 200 homes in each country participating in study of approaches to scaling up effective IAP interventions, linked to national level forums. Target populations are rural (Nepal), urban (Sudan) and peri-urban (Kenya) homes using solid fuels in these areas/states, from which it is expected that more generalisable experience can be gained. Kenya: national and local (Kisumu district) application of methods for identifying research priorities developed by the Global Forum for Health Research. Target population is national, principally households using solid fuels. This work was carried out in collaboration with Practical Action - East Africa, and linked to the national Forum in the above project. India: support for evaluation of improved stove programmes promoted by Development Alternatives (Bundelkhand) and ARTI (Maharashtra) as part of Shell Foundation programme. Target populations are rural homes using solid fuels in these areas/states. Mexico: support for evaluation of improved stove programme promoted by GIRA in rural Michoacan as part of Shell Foundation programme. Target populations are rural homes using solid fuels in the area of Patzcuaro, with assessment of applicability to rural homes in other rural areas of the country reliant on wood fuel.
Our Experience And Interest In The Four PCIA Central Focus Areas
The assessment and evaluation of social and cultural barriers to the adoption of improved stoves and cleaner fuels is an important component of all our work.
We are assisting in the development and evaluation of markets in the work with Practical Action (Sudan, Kenya, Nepal), for which this is a critical component.
We are not directly contributing to this area, but are interested to see how this develops.
This is the major focus of our work, and includes both epidemiological studies and support for health monitoring in development work. We have recently finished a 'Framework for Monitoring and Evaluating Household Energy Programmes in Low Income Countries' which has been designed for a wide range of types of organization, large and small. The Framework is used to guide the process when evaluating initiatives at all stages of development. It aims to ensure consideration of all important impacts of such interventions on households and on the wider community.
Relevant Publications or Studies
Please see http://www.liv.ac.uk/hehevaluation
Our Contribution to the Partnership
Contribute new knowledge on health impacts of IAP and of traditional fuel use in general; also on the impacts of intervention on IAP and exposure reduction and other benefits. Provide guidance and support in designing and carrying out evaluations of households and health work, particularly in the areas of health, social and economic impacts.
