Abstract

ZENA GIRALDO, Sandra. Perceptions of rural females on their performance with upgraded stoves in a Peruvian community. Rev Cubana Salud Pública [online]. 2014, vol.40, n.4, pp. 310-319. ISSN 0864-3466.

Introduction: most of the rural households in Peru have traditional stoves using smoke-producing fuels that cause air pollution with the resulting health effects. The indoor air pollution in rural households is being managed with the implementation of the upgraded stove program. Objectives: to analyze women's perceptions about the use of upgraded stoves and their health benefits. Methods: qualitative research study conducted in five communities of San Jeronimo municipality in Apurimac, Peru in 2009. Twenty active mothers in favor of upgraded stoves were selected. An observational guide, in-depth interviews and focal groups were all used. Results: the physical conditions of dwellings and the practice in handling the upgraded stoves perpetuated the indoor air pollution. The incentives to use this type of stoves were linked to time and firewood saving. They admitted that there was less smoke around and their eye problems, cough and cold had reduced, but they did not include these benefits in the reasons offered to continue using these stoves. Conclusions: the female perceptions are favorable as to the economic advantages, but they perceive in a restricted way the relationship between reduced volumes of smoke and health improvement due to the benefits of the upgraded stoves. Therefore, the implementation of stove upgrading programs should take into account topics on training and good practice in health so that they can turn into efficient participatory health projects.

Keywords : stoves; upgraded stoves; traditional stoves; good practices; health; developers.

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