Williams Kendra N, Kephart Josiah L, Fandiño-Del-Rio Magdalena, Condori Leonora, Koehler Kirsten, Moulton Lawrence H, Checkley William, Harvey Steven A
Department of International Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Center for Global Non-Communicable Disease Research and Training, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Energy Res Soc Sci. 2020 Aug;66. doi: 10.1016/j.erss.2020.101591. Epub 2020 May 25.
Reducing the burden of household air pollution requires that cleaner fuels such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) be used nearly exclusively. However, exclusive adoption has been challenging in low- and middle-income countries. Previous studies have found that economic, social, and cultural barriers often impede adoption. We conducted in-depth qualitative interviews with 22 participants in a research trial where LPG was provided for free in Puno, Peru. We aimed to determine whether social and cultural barriers to LPG use persisted when monetary costs to the household were removed, and what factors influenced exclusive adoption of LPG in a cost-free context. Facilitators of LPG use included: support from study staff, family support, time savings, previous experience with LPG, stove design, ability to use existing pots, smoke reductions, desire for cleanliness, removal of traditional stoves, and perceptions of luck. Barriers to LPG use included: fears of LPG, problems with LPG brands, delays in obtaining LPG refills, social pressure, perceived incompatibility of traditional dishes, perceived inability to use clay pots, separate kitchens for LPG and traditional stoves, designated pots for use on the traditional stove, and lack of heat. However, these barriers did not prevent participants from using LPG nearly exclusively. Results suggest that social and cultural barriers to exclusive LPG use can be overcome when LPG stoves and fuel are provided for free and supplemented with behavioral support. Governments should evaluate the economic feasibility and sustainability of LPG subsidization, considering the potential benefits of exclusive LPG use.
减轻家庭空气污染负担需要几乎完全使用清洁燃料，如液化石油气（LPG）。然而，在低收入和中等收入国家，完全采用这种燃料一直具有挑战性。先前的研究发现，经济、社会和文化障碍往往会阻碍其采用。我们对秘鲁普诺一项研究试验中的22名参与者进行了深入的定性访谈，该试验中液化石油气是免费提供的。我们旨在确定当家庭无需承担货币成本时，使用液化石油气的社会和文化障碍是否依然存在，以及在无成本情况下，哪些因素会影响液化石油气的完全采用。使用液化石油气的促进因素包括：研究人员的支持、家庭支持、节省时间、以前使用液化石油气的经验、炉灶设计、使用现有锅具的能力、减少烟雾、对清洁的渴望、移除传统炉灶以及对运气的认知。使用液化石油气的障碍包括：对液化石油气的恐惧、液化石油气品牌问题、获取液化石油气补充装的延迟、社会压力、认为传统菜肴不适用、认为无法使用陶罐、用于液化石油气和传统炉灶的独立厨房、指定用于传统炉灶的锅具以及缺乏热量。然而，这些障碍并未阻止参与者几乎完全使用液化石油气。结果表明，当免费提供液化石油气炉灶和燃料并辅以行为支持时，完全使用液化石油气的社会和文化障碍是可以克服的。政府应考虑完全使用液化石油气的潜在益处，评估液化石油气补贴的经济可行性和可持续性。
