Sociodemographic Factors Associated with Household Air Pollution (HAP) Among Nigerian Households: Insight from 2018 NDHS

Abstract

Household air pollution (HAP) is a significant public health issue in Nigeria, largely driven by the use of unclean cooking fuels. This study utilized a cross-sectional design to analyse data from the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), encompassing 39,735 households across the country. The findings revealed that the prevalence of HAP was highest in the North-West region (23.93%) and lowest in the South-East (11.94%). Cooking outdoors or in separate buildings was associated with a higher prevalence of HAP, while having a separate kitchen significantly reduced the risk (aOR = 0.74, 95% CI: 0.67-0.81). Multivariable analysis using logistic regression identified several significant risk factors for HAP, including urban residence (aOR = 1.52, 95% CI: 1.35-1.70), female-headed households (aOR = 1.38, 95% CI: 1.24-1.54), and lower socioeconomic status (aOR = 2.15, 95% CI: 1.87-2.47 for the lowest wealth quintile). Regional disparities were also noted, with the South-West exhibiting the highest odds of HAP (aOR = 1.61, 95% CI: 1.42-1.82). These findings highlight the urgent need for targeted interventions to mitigate HAP exposure, particularly among vulnerable populations in urban and economically disadvantaged areas.