Association of low birthweight with indoor air pollution from biomass fuel in sub-Saharan Africa: A systemic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

ABSTRACT Exposure to indoor air pollution (IAP) from cooking with solid fuels affects 2.8 billion people in developing countries, including children and pregnant women. It also increases the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes such as low birthweight. This review aims to examine the relationship of IAP with low birthweight. A systematic literature search was performed using PubMed, CINAHL, global health and Google Scholar electronic databases. Data analysis was done using STATA Version 14. The heterogeneity of the studies was assessed by using I2 test. A random-effects model was used to estimate pooled odds ratio. The presence of publication bias was checked using the funnel plot and Egger’s test. A total of 129 studies were reviewed, and 6 studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. A total of 16,761 mother–child pairs from the selected studies were the study population. The result of the meta-analysis indicated that indoor air pollution from biomass fuel use was associated with low birthweight with a pooled odds ratio of 1.74 (95% CI: 1.14–2.66). Mothers living in households that utilize biomass fuel have a 74% additional risk of giving a low birthweight child than mothers who live in households without air pollution from biomass fuel. Indoor air pollution from cooking fuel increases the risk of low birthweight in sub-Saharan Africa. Promoting clean and effective solid fuels at the household level will help to reduce IAP-related adverse health effects, specifically low birthweight.