Global health and international medicine: Honduras Lorena stove project

Indoor smoke from basic wood-burning cook stoves is a hazard in developing countries, which contributes substantially to the morbidity and mortality burden. The Global Health and International Medicine: Honduras Lorena Stove Project consists of three phases and is designed to investigate this hazard in a rural Honduran community. This research is Phase I of the project. A partnership with a community in Taulabé County was established. Environmental and respiratory health assessments were performed to assess the relationship between smoke exposure from wood-burning cook stoves and respiratory illness. A questionnaire was developed and administered to assess respiratory disease symptoms in adults and children, and peak flow meters were used to measure peak expiratory flow rates (PEFR) of study participants. A built-environment questionnaire was completed for each household and Escort ELF portable pumps were used to test air quality. Anticipated outcomes include: a high prevalence of respiratory problems, insufficient smoke ventilation, and a potential correlation between the two factors. Should an intervention be warranted, improved cook stoves with chimneys (Lorena stoves) will be implemented in the community. Lorena stoves are designed to burn fuel more efficiently, thereby helping to decrease deforestation. Phase II of this study includes construction of Lorena stoves; Phase III will address the effectiveness of Lorena stoves in decreasing respiratory symptoms among study participants. This project aims to retrain the rural elderly in the methods of stove construction, reduce incidence of respiratory disease among villagers, and empower the community with a means to improve the health of its members.