Abstract :
After 71 years of independence 69 per cent peoples are living in rural areas and for cooking they still depend on bio-fuels. The over-dependence on biofuels has led to several ecological and health problems. Keeping this in view a study was conducted to assess biofuel collection pattern, consumption pattern and its impact on health in rural areas. This study was conducted in two villages Achitpur and Chota Mirzapur Khurd of Jamalpur Block of Mirzapur district of Uttar Pradesh. A multi stage sampling design was followed. The target groups who were interviewed were women above 18 years of age. A total of 125 rural women (16 % of the total household) were selected randomly for data collection purpose. Desk review and analysis of secondary literature/data was also carried out to supplement the research. Survey method was adopted for quantitative data collection in the selected villages. The quantitative data collection tool was developed keeping in view the objectives, scope and focus of the study. The draft interview schedule was pre-tested in study villages of Mirzapur district in which around 50 respondents were interviewed. The data collection instruments were modified and finalized based on feedback of the pre-test exercise. Before the data analysis, a tabulation plan was developed. The quantitative data analysis was carried out by using latest version of statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS programme). The bi-variate analysis was carried out for the data analysis. Descriptive statistics including mean, standard deviation and percentage frequency were used for describing background characteristics of the respondents. This study points to a need for creating awareness on the environmental and health issues. At the same time, effective interventions on the popularization and use of fuel efficient and renewable energy cooking appliances should be carried out by the government and non-government organizations. Intersectoral co-ordination for the promotion of public health is also need of the hour.
Keyword :
Biofuel, consumption pattern, health, rural women