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Using photovoice methods as a community-based participatory research tool to advance uptake of clean cooking and improve health: The LPG adoption in Cameroon evaluation studies

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  • Ronzi, Sara
  • Puzzolo, Elisa
  • Hyseni, Lirije
  • Higgerson, James
  • Stanistreet, Debbi
  • Hugo, MBatchou Ngahane Bertrand
  • Bruce, Nigel
  • Pope, Daniel

Abstract

Each year up to 2.6 million people die prematurely from household air pollution (HAP) due to cooking with polluting fuels such as wood and charcoal, particularly in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). The World Health Organisation recommends scaling the adoption of clean fuels to improve maternal and child health. Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) represents a scalable clean fuel that provides health and environmental benefits when used for household energy in LMICs. In Cameroon, over 70% of people rely on biomass for cooking, and the Government aims to increase LPG use from <20% to 58% by 2030. Supporting households make this transition requires involvement of multiple stakeholders and an understanding of perspectives from the community's perspective. We used visual participatory methods ‘Photovoice’ to explore households' perceptions of factors influencing the uptake of LPG for cooking in South-West Cameroon. Two groups of participants from rural (n = 7) and peri-urban (n = 8) areas photographed subjects they identified as preventing and facilitating LPG uptake in their communities. Subsequently, individual interviews (n = 15) and group discussions (n = 5) explored participants' reflections on the photographs. Thematic analysis was conducted using NVivo 10 software. The main barriers identified included difficulty in affording the initial LPG equipment and ongoing refills, scarcity of LPG retail shops and refills, and safety concerns. Facilitators included (i) increasing awareness of the benefits of LPG (e.g. health), (ii) increasing retail outlet density in rural areas, (iii) addressing safety concerns (e.g. replacing damaged cylinders), and (iv) reducing the price of LPG refills. Participants presented their photos at a public exhibition, which generated discussions with key stakeholders (e.g. government ministries) about how best to assist communities in this transition. Photovoice was found to be an innovative and effective approach for exploring how to advance equitable access to LPG from a community perspective and successfully engage with key stakeholders.

Suggested Citation

  • Ronzi, Sara & Puzzolo, Elisa & Hyseni, Lirije & Higgerson, James & Stanistreet, Debbi & Hugo, MBatchou Ngahane Bertrand & Bruce, Nigel & Pope, Daniel, 2019. "Using photovoice methods as a community-based participatory research tool to advance uptake of clean cooking and improve health: The LPG adoption in Cameroon evaluation studies," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 228(C), pages 30-40.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:228:y:2019:i:c:p:30-40
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2019.02.044
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Castleden, Heather & Garvin, Theresa & First Nation, Huu-ay-aht, 2008. "Modifying Photovoice for community-based participatory Indigenous research," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 66(6), pages 1393-1405, March.
    2. Richenda Van Leeuwen & Alex Evans & Besnik Hyseni, 2017. "Increasing the Use of Liquefied Petroleum Gas in Cooking in Developing Countries," World Bank Publications - Reports 26569, The World Bank Group.
    3. Jean Hugues Nlom & Aziz A. Karimov, 2015. "Modeling Fuel Choice among Households in Northern Cameroon," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 7(8), pages 1-11, July.
    4. Belon, Ana Paula & Nieuwendyk, Laura M. & Vallianatos, Helen & Nykiforuk, Candace I.J., 2014. "How community environment shapes physical activity: Perceptions revealed through the PhotoVoice method," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 116(C), pages 10-21.
    5. Jane Ardrey & Nicola Desmond & Rachel Tolhurst & Kevin Mortimer, 2016. "The Cooking and Pneumonia Study (CAPS) in Malawi: A Nested Pilot of Photovoice Participatory Research Methodology," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(6), pages 1-18, June.
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    1. Hsu, Eric & Forougi, Noah & Gan, Meixi & Muchiri, Elizabeth & Pope, Dan & Puzzolo, Elisa, 2021. "Microfinance for clean cooking: What lessons can be learned for scaling up LPG adoption in Kenya through managed loans?," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 154(C).
    2. Hollands, A.F. & Daly, H., 2023. "Modelling the integrated achievement of clean cooking access and climate mitigation goals: An energy systems optimization approach," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 173(C).
    3. Shupler, Matthew & Mwitari, James & Gohole, Arthur & Anderson de Cuevas, Rachel & Puzzolo, Elisa & Čukić, Iva & Nix, Emily & Pope, Daniel, 2021. "COVID-19 impacts on household energy & food security in a Kenyan informal settlement: The need for integrated approaches to the SDGs," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 144(C).
    4. Debbi Stanistreet & Lirije Hyseni & Elisa Puzzolo & James Higgerson & Sara Ronzi & Rachel Anderson de Cuevas & Oluwakorede Adekoje & Nigel Bruce & Bertrand Mbatchou Ngahane & Daniel Pope, 2019. "Barriers and Facilitators to the Adoption and Sustained Use of Cleaner Fuels in Southwest Cameroon: Situating ‘Lay’ Knowledge within Evidence-Based Policy and Practice," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(23), pages 1-18, November.
    5. Alananga, Samwel Sanga & Igangula, Nurdin Husama, 2022. "Constrained cooking energy choices: Understanding up-the-ladder stacking behaviour in Dar es Salaam Tanzania," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 168(C).
    6. Alison Pye & Sara Ronzi & Bertrand Hugo Mbatchou Ngahane & Elisa Puzzolo & Atongno Humphrey Ashu & Daniel Pope, 2020. "Drivers of the Adoption and Exclusive Use of Clean Fuel for Cooking in Sub-Saharan Africa: Learnings and Policy Considerations from Cameroon," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(16), pages 1-24, August.

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