Household choice of cooking fuel and morbidity among low-income states in India

This study investigates the pattern of household cooking fuel choices and health outcomes, and the impact of household cooking fuel choices on household health, with a focus on low-income states (LIS) in India. Using data from the India Human Development Survey (IHDS-I and II), the study employs percentage analysis, chi-square tests, and binary logistic regression to examine trends and risk factors. The study categorized health outcomes into two groups based on the nature of the disease: short-term morbidity (STM) and long-term morbidity (LTM). The findings reveal that households in LIS have a higher prevalence of both STM and LTM, which correlates with the continued use of traditional biomass fuels and poor indoor air quality. Although there has been a moderate shift toward modern fuels, traditional fuel usage remains dominant, especially in rural areas and among women. Logistic regression results revealed that traditional fuel usage significantly increases the odds of STM and LTM and specific long-term diseases, such as asthma, cardiovascular issues, and cataracts. LPG use significantly reduced the likelihood of STM, asthma, and cataract morbidity. The results also show that people who are poor, live in houses led by women, or stay in kutcha houses are more likely to face short- and long-term morbidity. The use of LPG cylinders from unauthorized distribution further exposes households to health hazards. Various socioeconomic conditions, such as high education and wealth levels, significantly reduce the likelihood of STM and LTM. Notably, the study shows that education and health awareness among households significantly reduce the risk of diseases such as cataracts and tuberculosis. This study highlights the importance of targeted public health intervention. The intervention should prioritize the promotion and awareness of the use of clean fuels, fuel subsidies, infrastructure strengthening for safe cooking conditions, and awareness campaigns based on education. Redressing structural inequities in fuel access and health awareness is crucial to redressing the disease burden in India’s backward areas.