Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2026 Feb 6. doi: 10.1002/ijgo.70819. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between household air pollution (HAP) exposure and adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes among mothers in Ghana using evidence from the 2022 Demographic and Health Survey.
METHODS: A retrospective secondary analysis was conducted using data from the 2022 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (GDHS). The study included women aged 15-49 years with a recent pregnancy outcome. HAP exposure was proxied using unclean cooking fuel. Outcomes assessed were maternal anemia (hemoglobin <11.0 g/dL), low birth weight (LBW) (<2500 g), preterm birth (<37 weeks), and stillbirth. Multivariable logistic regression models were fitted to estimate associations between HAP exposure and outcomes. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05.
RESULTS: Unclean cooking fuel use was highly prevalent (88.2%), especially in rural households (95.7%) and among the poorest households (99.8%). After adjustment, unclean fuel use was associated with higher odds of LBW (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.47; 95% CI 1.10-1.96; P < 0.008). Anemia, cesarean section and prolonged length of hospital stay after delivery were associated with HAP.
CONCLUSION: HAP remains a significant risk factor for adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes in Ghana, underscoring the need to accelerate adoption of clean cooking technologies.
PMID:41652887 | DOI:10.1002/ijgo.70819
