Socioeconomic Determinants of Household Stove Use-Choice and Stove Stacking Patterns in Ghana Using Multinomial Logit Models

Background and Aim: Air pollution is the fourth-highest risk factor for premature deaths globally and the second-highest risk factor for premature deaths in Ghana. Understanding the socioeconomic correlates of cooking stove/fuel choices and stove stacking patterns is a precursor to designing effective household air pollution interventions. Methods: The study used a quantitative cross-sectional design to collect data from sampled districts in all 16 regions of Ghana, covering about 7,400 household-level respondents in 370 enumeration areas (EAs); across 177 urban EAs and 193 rural EAs. Face-to-face interviews were conducted at home. The questionnaire was designed to elicit information on primary, secondary, and tertiary cooking stoves and fuels. Results: Use of LPG correlates positively with education (Primary education-RRR:2.377, p<0.01, CI: 95), (Middle/JHS education-RRR:3.019, p<0.0, CI:95), (Technical/SHS education-RRR:6.491, p<0.01, CI: 95), (Post-secondary/University education-RRR:14.41, p<0.01, CI:95). Similarly, use of an LPG-charcoal stove mix compared to Charcoal stove-open fire mix correlates positively with education. All else equal, households with more than one cookstove (RRR:1.185, p<0.05, CI:95), and urban households (RRR:6.488, p<0.01, CI:95) reported using LPG stoves as their primary cookstove more frequently than did households using a single stove or living in rural areas. The age of the primary cook (RRR:1.44, p<0.1, CI:95), household income (RRR: 1.052, p<0.1, CI:95), and urbanicity (RRR:4.134, p<0.01, CI:95) were statistically significant in predicting use of an LPG-Charcoal mix compared to Charcoal stove-open fire mix. LPG, charcoal and 3-stone (open fire) stoves refer to cooking devices that are fueled by combustible gas, charcoal and wood respectively. Conclusion: Most households in Ghana use multiple cookstoves and fuels. Biomass fuel use is concentrated in poorer, less educated, and rural households. Equitable household energy transitions will require particular attention to encouraging sustained exclusive use of clean fuels in these communities to improve health. Keywords: socioeconomic factors, cookstove, choice, stove stacking,