Solar Cookstoves and Health Outcomes in Kenyan Villages: A Survey Analysis

Solar cookstoves have been introduced as a sustainable alternative to traditional open-fire cooking in many parts of Africa. In Kenya, these stoves are often promoted for their potential to reduce indoor air pollution and improve health outcomes. A mixed-methods approach was employed, including a cross-sectional survey of 200 pregnant women who reported using solar cookstoves for at least one month. Data were collected from February to April . The findings suggest that the prevalence of respiratory infections among pregnant women in villages with access to solar cookstoves is significantly lower than those without, indicating an overall health benefit (p < 0.05). Solar cookstoves appear to have a positive effect on maternal health outcomes in Kenyan villages. Health education programmes should be integrated with the distribution of solar cookstoves to maximise their impact and ensure proper usage. The empirical specification follows $Y=\beta_0+\beta^\top X+\varepsilon$, and inference is reported with uncertainty-aware statistical criteria.