ADAMA AIR: Outdoor and household air pollution-exposure and effects on pregnant women in Africa

In 2012, one in eight deaths worldwide resulted from air pollution. For Africa lack of data is a barrier to estimate effects. Satellite images indicate detrimental levels, but monitoring and high resolution outdoor air pollution modelling is lacking. Household air pollution is also a major source of exposure, more knowledge on how different cook stoves, fuels and habits affect exposure is crucial. No high quality study of the effect of outdoor and indoor air pollution on pregnant women in Africa has so far been conducted.

We will investigate consequences of air pollution in a prospective cohort of women recruited during pregnancy at public health facilities in Ethiopia. Outdoor air pollution will be assessed by high quality modelling which combines measurements with Geographical Information System tools and aerial and topographical imaging. Individual exposure will be linked to the model by residential address. Indoor exposure will be assessed by questionnaires and validated by measurements. Emission factors from different fuels and cooking methods, and particle characteristics will be assessed in our Aerosol Lab in Lund. Data on pregnancy outcomes, exposures and confounders will be compiled and epidemiological studies on the effect of outdoor and household air pollution on pregnancy complications will be done.