Does the adoption of solid cooking fuel contribute to adverse child health outcomes? A Propensity Score Matched (PSM) analysis from Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey, 2011- 2018

Abstract

Low birth weight and severe respiratory infections in children are just two of the acknowledged negative health impacts of household air pollution caused by the use of solid fuels for cooking, which is still a serious public health concern in underdeveloped nations. Using data from Bangladesh demographic and health census 2011-2018, the paper evaluates the effects of dirty fuels on health. The application of propensity score-matching method by year unadjusted and later unbiased year adjusted estimation with average treatment effect on the treated (ATT) shows that dirty fuel households have a 37.8% greater incidence of stunting than clean fuel households and no link with having ARI with solid fuel use, which is biased result for unadjusted matching. However, this ATT estimate after year-specific match shows 33-35% rise of malnutrition and 2.8 to 5.6% increase in respiratory illness because of solid fuel adoption. Due to the shortcomings of this study, more research is needed to better devise strategies to discourage households from using solid cooking fuel and encourage the use of more affordable, healthier alternatives.