Effect of exposure to indoor stove smoke on respiratory health in two rural communities in Tabasco

Abstract

Diseases from exposure to smoke are a problem worldwide, the World Health Organization (WHO), indicates that prolonged exposure and the scarcity of a method to extract smoke from homes, is a problem of morbidity. The combustion of firewood or burning of biomass, generates gases and particles that are risk factors for health. This study evaluates the effect of exposure to indoor stove smoke on respiratory health in two communities in southeastern Mexico. To obtain the data, housing and respiratory health, housing characteristics and services, as well as the Saint George Respiratory Risk Factors Questionnaire (SGRQ) were considered. The results indicate that using the stove without a smoke extractor increases the symptoms of respiratory complications; 55% of the population studied uses the stove, 47% has no tube or fireplace and present symptoms of cough, phlegm, shortness of breath, chest noises and respiratory attacks in an average of 23.4% compared to the average of 5% of people who use the stove with smoke outlet. It is necessary to raise awareness among the main authorities in the state about the harmful effects of stove smoke so that actions are taken to support people with limited resources, smoke outlets are adapted and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), pulmonary fibrosis, bronchial asthma, pneumonia, lung cancer, can be reduced or prevented. among others.