Hypertension, Pollution; Exposure, Pollution Related Respiratory Disorder
Conditions
Keywords
household air pollution, fine particulate matter, kerosene
Brief summary
This study evaluates the impact of a solar lighting system on kerosene lamp use, levels of indoor air pollution, and health in women living in rural Uganda. Half of the participants will receive the lighting systems immediately, while the other half will receive them after an 18 month delay.
Detailed description
One fifth of the global population relies on kerosene lamps for lighting, yet few studies have focused on kerosene lighting as a source of indoor air pollution. In our preliminary studies performed in Uganda, we show that homes using solar lighting have much lower levels of indoor air pollution compared to homes using kerosene lighting. The primary goal of this study is to determine the extent to which solar lighting will reduce kerosene use and indoor air pollution in rural Uganda, whether this intervention improves lung health, and to identify the role bacteria in our gut have on determining whether or not people will get sick from indoor air pollution.
Interventions
OTHERSolar lighting system
consisting of a solar panel, rechargeable lead acid battery, charge controller, wiring and switches to 4 lighting points fitted with LED bulbs. This system will include a two-year service warranty.
Sponsors
Mbarara University of Science and Technology
Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH)
Massachusetts General Hospital
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)
Masking description
Randomization will be performed using dummy codes to represent intervention and control groups by an independent statistician; blinding of the intervention to the participants and field team is not possible, but data analysis will take place prior to unblinding.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
18 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Women living in Nyakabare Parish, Uganda with no prior history of chronic lung disease
Exclusion criteria
* Current active tuberculosis in any family member
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and Black Carbon | 48 hour | Sampling for PM2.5 and Black Carbon over 48 hours will be collected |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Blood pressure | baseline, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months after the intervention | Resting blood pressure |
| Forced Expiratory Volume in one Second (FEV1) | baseline, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months after the intervention | Pre- and Post- bronchodilator spirometry |
| Heart rate variability | baseline, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months after the intervention | Resting 10 minute heart rate variability |
| Daily use of solar lighting system (hours per day) | baseline, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months after the intervention | A current monitory is installed as part of the solar lighting system that measures the hours per day each light switch is turned on |
| Qualitative interviews | Post-intervention | 1:1 qualitative interviews will be performed with participants |
| Respiratory symptoms | baseline, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months after intervention | Presence/absence of respiratory symptoms based on the American Thoracic Society Respiratory Disease questionnaire |
| Stool microbiome | baseline, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months after the intervention | Microbial sequencing of the stool will be performed |
Countries
Uganda, United States
Outcome results
None listed