Knowledge about the health impact of indoor air pollution and associated factors among mothers in northeastern Ethiopia: a community-based cross-sectional study.

Abstract

This study was designed to determine the level of knowledge about the health impact of indoor air pollution (IAP) and associated factors among mothers in northeastern Ethiopia. A community-based cross-sectional study was carried out from May to June 2024. A systematic sampling technique was used to select the study participants. Using a pretested and structured questionnaire, data were gathered through interviews. The collected data were entered into EpiData V.4.6 and SPSS V.25 was used for the analysis. The adjusted OR with a 95% CI and the significance of associations at p<i><</i>0.05 were determined. The study was conducted in northeastern Ethiopia. A total of 401 mothers participated in this study. The primary outcome is the prevalence of good knowledge about the health impact of IAP. With a response rate of 95%, 401 mothers in all completed the survey. Of the participants, 205 (51.1%) were aged ≤31 years. In this study, 46.4% (95% CI 41.6 to 51.4) of the 401 participants had good knowledge about the health impact of IAP. Higher educational level (adjusted OR (AOR): 4.4, 95% CI 2.38 to 8.14), higher income (AOR: 1.88, 95% CI 1.15 to 3.06) and receiving training (AOR: 2.72, 95% CI 1.14 to 6.46) were factors associated with having good knowledge. This study concluded that less than half of the mothers had good knowledge about the health impact of IAP. The findings of this study highlight the critical need for policymakers to address the inadequate understanding among mothers of the health impact of IAP. Thus, the health education programme on IAP should be strengthened through effective community engagement.