Use of Biomass Fuel in Households Within Limpopo Province of South Africaand Its Association with Asthma Among School Children Aged Thirteen and Fourteen Years of Age

Biomass fuel is energy generated from burnt coal, wood, paraffin, dried animal dung and other agricultural waste. Each one of these energy sources when burnt produces unique toxic substances, some of which the Environmental Protection Agency lists as criteria pollutants. Singly or in combination these substances are associated with asthma. In this study 742 children aged 13and 14 years taken from 10 schools in 5 education districts in areas around the City of Polokwane were investigated to determine the association of biomass fuel and asthma. A cross sectional study design was used to test the association. The prevalence of asthma among the exposed group was 33%. The odds ratio for the exposed and unexposed was 1.50, p < 0.001, C.I. 1.34, 4.98.Meaning the exposed group was 1.50 times more at risk of asthma. Testing for potential confounders showed that use of biomass fuel remained resilient in predicting asthma. The study suggests that complete electrification of areas in Limpopo Province to prevent use of alternative unclean energy sources, can help reduce exposure to energy-related asthma agents. For purposes of control, asthma should be made a priority disease; and that an asthma surveillance system is established in Limpopo Province.