Beatrice Hunt
Research Mentor(s): Amy Buckenmeyer
Mentor Department: Systems, Populations, and Leadership
Authors:
Session: Session 2 (10:00am – 10:50am)
Presentation Type: Poster 14
Abstract
Rural communities in under-resourced countries have been battling unequal health issues for centuries, which have led to significant health disparities. According to The World Bank, approximately 140-200 children under age five die from ARIs (acute respiratory infections) in Nicaragua. The purpose of this research program was to assess the extent to which a community in rural Nicaragua has been affected by eye, respiratory, and headache problems as a result of use of traditional cookstoves. Community-based participatory research was used to implement an improved cookstove program. Two hundred and one families completed interviews from 2011 to 2018. The target population experienced a significant reduction in headaches, respiratory illnesses, and eye issues (p<.001) from the time their cookstove was implemented though follow-up up to seven years. Community-based participatory research is integral to achieving sustainable outcomes in improving cookstove behaviors in the pursuit for health for all.
