Ethanol as a household fuel in Madagascar
Practical Action
Health assessment
Methodology
In order to evaluate the potential health benefits from using ethanol stoves, the project conducted
HAP analyses in a study group of households at two different locations; Ambositra in the central
highlands, and Vatomandry on the Eastern coast. Households in each area were selected on the
following criteria:
Have a child under 4 years
Currently use charcoal or wood as main fuel
Purchase at least half of their fuel
Have an enclosed kitchen
Have “Mother” as main cook
Be interested in having an improved stove
Ambositra
- Central highland location (1300m alt.)
- Cool in dry season
- Predominantly brick houses
- Main fuels are predominantly charcoal and
wood
- 144 household study group
Vatomandry
- Coastal location
- Warm climate
- Predominantly wooden houses, more open
- Main fuels are predominantly charcoal and
wood
- 180 household study group
Figures 2: Typical house structure in Ambrosita
Photos: Practical Action.
Figure 3: Typical house structure in Vatomandry.
In order to compare the effects of both raising awareness of health issues and replacing
traditional fuel supplies with alternative solutions, each study group was split into five (or four)
samples, each to receive a different level of intervention:
Group
Intervention
1 No intervention (control group)
2 Awareness raising only
3 Awareness raising + improved biomass stove
4 Awareness raising + improved charcoal stove
5 Awareness raising + ethanol stove (Cleancook)
Totals
Table 1: Sampling groups for health study
Ambositra
36
36
0
36
36
144
Vatomandry
36
36
36
36
36
180
To gauge the population’s awareness, health status, economic status and energy use, a simple
questionnaire was administered at interviews by trained field staff. Questions related to the
participants’ health were used to provide an indication of the prevalence of chronic respiratory
symptoms and eye irritation in the study population. Information on another common symptom,
headache, was also collected to investigate the relationship between reported frequency/severity
of headaches and women’s exposure to CO. At the time of the questionnaire, an initial sampling
of emissions of CO and PM2.5 in the households’ kitchens was undertaken as a baseline with
which to compare later results.
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