Predictors of Personal Exposure to Fine Particulate Matter, Black Carbon, and Carbon Monoxide among Pregnant Women in Rwanda: Baseline Data from the HAPIN Trial

Patrick Karakwende; William Checkley; Yunyun Chen; Maggie L. Clark; Thomas Clasen; Ephrem Dusabimana; Shirin Jabbarzadeh; Michael Johnson; Egide Kalisa; Miles Kirby; Luke Naher; Florien Ndagijimana; Adolphe Ndikubwimana; Theoneste Ntakirutimana; Jean de Dieu Ntivuguruzwa; Jennifer L. Peel; Ricardo Piedrahita; Ajay Pillarisetti; Ghislaine Rosa; Lance A. Waller; Jiantong Wang; Bonnie N. Young; the HAPIN Investigators

doi:10.1289/JHP1049

Predictors of Personal Exposure to Fine Particulate Matter, Black Carbon, and Carbon Monoxide among Pregnant Women in Rwanda: Baseline Data from the HAPIN Trial

Patrick Karakwende
, William Checkley
, Yunyun Chen
, Maggie L. Clark
, Thomas Clasen
, Ephrem Dusabimana
, Shirin Jabbarzadeh
, Michael Johnson
, Egide Kalisa
, Miles Kirby
, Luke Naher
, Florien Ndagijimana
, Adolphe Ndikubwimana
, Theoneste Ntakirutimana
, Jean de Dieu Ntivuguruzwa
, Jennifer L. Peel
, Ricardo Piedrahita
, Ajay Pillarisetti
, Ghislaine Rosa
, Lance A. Waller

Jiantong Wang, Bonnie N. Young, the HAPIN Investigators

University of Rwanda
Johns Hopkins University
Emory University
Colorado State University
Eagle Research Center
Berkeley Air Monitoring Group
College of Science and Technology
Harvard University
University of Georgia
University of California at Berkeley
Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Exposure to household air pollution from the combustion of solid fuels is a leading risk factor for death and disease in low- and middle-income countries, where cleaner cooking and lighting options are often unavailable. Few studies have measured personal exposure during pregnancy, a sensitive period of development, particularly in Africa.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to characterize exposure during early to midpregnancy among women in Rwanda and to assess predictors of personal exposure, including stove and fuel type, cooking behaviors, housing conditions, sociodemographic characteristics, and other potential sources of exposure.

METHODS: We assessed 24-h baseline personal exposure data among 798 pregnant women in the Household Air Pollution Intervention Network (HAPIN) trial in Rwanda, including 717 with fine particulate matter (PM_2:5), 569 with black carbon (BC), and 716 with carbon monoxide (CO) samples. Best subsets regression identified key predictors of personal PM_2:5, BC, and CO exposure, defined by maximizing adjusted R² values and minimizing prediction errors (Mallow’s C_P and the Bayesian information criterion). RESULTS: The 24-h median concentrations at baseline were 88:9 lg=m³ [interquartile range ðIQRÞ = 85:0], 10:9 lg =m³ (IQR = 7.6), and 1:12 ppm (IQR = 1.9) for PM_2:5, BC, and CO, respectively. Households using kerosene as a primary lighting source had higher PM_2:5 levels (median = 116 lg=m³, IQR = 107) than those using electricity (64 lg=m³, IQR = 69). Women in households with modified biomass stoves with a chimney had lower median values (48 lg=m³, IQR = 52) for PM_2:5, compared with those in households using open fires (113 lg=m³, IQR = 74) and other traditional stove types (155 lg=m³, IQR = 43) that yielded the highest values. Consensus models from the best subsets’ regression explained 26% of the variation in PM_2:5, 36% in BC, and 31% in CO concentrations.

CONCLUSIONS: Based on a unique and large dataset describing personal exposure among pregnant women in rural Rwanda, lighting and cooking practices described some variability in household PM_2:5 concentrations, but overall, substantial unexplained variability remained. https://doi.org/10.1289/JHP1049

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	17001-17009
Number of pages	9
Journal	Journal of Health and Pollution
Volume	13
Issue number	1
Early online date	10 Jan 2025
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1289/JHP1049
Publication status	Published - 1 Mar 2025
Externally published	Yes

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

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karakwende-et-al-predictors-of-personal-exposure-to-fine-particulate-matter-black-carbon-and-carbon-monoxide-amongFinal published version, 681 KBLicence: CC BY

Cite this

Karakwende, P., Checkley, W., Chen, Y., Clark, M. L., Clasen, T., Dusabimana, E., Jabbarzadeh, S., Johnson, M., Kalisa, E., Kirby, M., Naher, L., Ndagijimana, F., Ndikubwimana, A., Ntakirutimana, T., de Dieu Ntivuguruzwa, J., Peel, J. L., Piedrahita, R., Pillarisetti, A., Rosa, G., ... the HAPIN Investigators (2025). Predictors of Personal Exposure to Fine Particulate Matter, Black Carbon, and Carbon Monoxide among Pregnant Women in Rwanda: Baseline Data from the HAPIN Trial. Journal of Health and Pollution, 13(1), 17001-17009. https://doi.org/10.1289/JHP1049

@article{d4c43248fac14f0bb98a866c83639817,

title = "Predictors of Personal Exposure to Fine Particulate Matter, Black Carbon, and Carbon Monoxide among Pregnant Women in Rwanda: Baseline Data from the HAPIN Trial",

abstract = "BACKGROUND: Exposure to household air pollution from the combustion of solid fuels is a leading risk factor for death and disease in low- and middle-income countries, where cleaner cooking and lighting options are often unavailable. Few studies have measured personal exposure during pregnancy, a sensitive period of development, particularly in Africa. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to characterize exposure during early to midpregnancy among women in Rwanda and to assess predictors of personal exposure, including stove and fuel type, cooking behaviors, housing conditions, sociodemographic characteristics, and other potential sources of exposure. METHODS: We assessed 24-h baseline personal exposure data among 798 pregnant women in the Household Air Pollution Intervention Network (HAPIN) trial in Rwanda, including 717 with fine particulate matter (PM2:5), 569 with black carbon (BC), and 716 with carbon monoxide (CO) samples. Best subsets regression identified key predictors of personal PM2:5, BC, and CO exposure, defined by maximizing adjusted R2 values and minimizing prediction errors (Mallow{\textquoteright}s CP and the Bayesian information criterion). RESULTS: The 24-h median concentrations at baseline were 88:9 lg=m3 [interquartile range {\dh}IQR{\TH} = 85:0], 10:9 lg =m3 (IQR = 7.6), and 1:12 ppm (IQR = 1.9) for PM2:5, BC, and CO, respectively. Households using kerosene as a primary lighting source had higher PM2:5 levels (median = 116 lg=m3, IQR = 107) than those using electricity (64 lg=m3, IQR = 69). Women in households with modified biomass stoves with a chimney had lower median values (48 lg=m3, IQR = 52) for PM2:5, compared with those in households using open fires (113 lg=m3, IQR = 74) and other traditional stove types (155 lg=m3, IQR = 43) that yielded the highest values. Consensus models from the best subsets{\textquoteright} regression explained 26\% of the variation in PM2:5, 36\% in BC, and 31\% in CO concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: Based on a unique and large dataset describing personal exposure among pregnant women in rural Rwanda, lighting and cooking practices described some variability in household PM2:5 concentrations, but overall, substantial unexplained variability remained. https://doi.org/10.1289/JHP1049",

author = "Patrick Karakwende and William Checkley and Yunyun Chen and Clark, \{Maggie L.\} and Thomas Clasen and Ephrem Dusabimana and Shirin Jabbarzadeh and Michael Johnson and Egide Kalisa and Miles Kirby and Luke Naher and Florien Ndagijimana and Adolphe Ndikubwimana and Theoneste Ntakirutimana and \{de Dieu Ntivuguruzwa\}, Jean and Peel, \{Jennifer L.\} and Ricardo Piedrahita and Ajay Pillarisetti and Ghislaine Rosa and Waller, \{Lance A.\} and Jiantong Wang and Young, \{Bonnie N.\} and \{the HAPIN Investigators\}",

year = "2025",

month = mar,

day = "1",

doi = "10.1289/JHP1049",

language = "English",

volume = "13",

pages = "17001--17009",

journal = "Journal of Health and Pollution",

issn = "2156-9614",

publisher = "Pure Earth",

number = "1",

}

Karakwende, P, Checkley, W, Chen, Y, Clark, ML, Clasen, T, Dusabimana, E, Jabbarzadeh, S, Johnson, M, Kalisa, E, Kirby, M, Naher, L, Ndagijimana, F, Ndikubwimana, A, Ntakirutimana, T, de Dieu Ntivuguruzwa, J, Peel, JL, Piedrahita, R, Pillarisetti, A, Rosa, G, Waller, LA, Wang, J, Young, BN & the HAPIN Investigators 2025, 'Predictors of Personal Exposure to Fine Particulate Matter, Black Carbon, and Carbon Monoxide among Pregnant Women in Rwanda: Baseline Data from the HAPIN Trial', Journal of Health and Pollution, vol. 13, no. 1, pp. 17001-17009. https://doi.org/10.1289/JHP1049

Predictors of Personal Exposure to Fine Particulate Matter, Black Carbon, and Carbon Monoxide among Pregnant Women in Rwanda: Baseline Data from the HAPIN Trial. / Karakwende, Patrick; Checkley, William; Chen, Yunyun et al.
In: Journal of Health and Pollution, Vol. 13, No. 1, 01.03.2025, p. 17001-17009.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

TY - JOUR

T1 - Predictors of Personal Exposure to Fine Particulate Matter, Black Carbon, and Carbon Monoxide among Pregnant Women in Rwanda: Baseline Data from the HAPIN Trial

AU - Karakwende, Patrick

AU - Checkley, William

AU - Chen, Yunyun

AU - Clark, Maggie L.

AU - Clasen, Thomas

AU - Dusabimana, Ephrem

AU - Jabbarzadeh, Shirin

AU - Johnson, Michael

AU - Kalisa, Egide

AU - Kirby, Miles

AU - Naher, Luke

AU - Ndagijimana, Florien

AU - Ndikubwimana, Adolphe

AU - Ntakirutimana, Theoneste

AU - de Dieu Ntivuguruzwa, Jean

AU - Peel, Jennifer L.

AU - Piedrahita, Ricardo

AU - Pillarisetti, Ajay

AU - Rosa, Ghislaine

AU - Waller, Lance A.

AU - Wang, Jiantong

AU - Young, Bonnie N.

AU - the HAPIN Investigators

PY - 2025/3/1

Y1 - 2025/3/1

N2 - BACKGROUND: Exposure to household air pollution from the combustion of solid fuels is a leading risk factor for death and disease in low- and middle-income countries, where cleaner cooking and lighting options are often unavailable. Few studies have measured personal exposure during pregnancy, a sensitive period of development, particularly in Africa. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to characterize exposure during early to midpregnancy among women in Rwanda and to assess predictors of personal exposure, including stove and fuel type, cooking behaviors, housing conditions, sociodemographic characteristics, and other potential sources of exposure. METHODS: We assessed 24-h baseline personal exposure data among 798 pregnant women in the Household Air Pollution Intervention Network (HAPIN) trial in Rwanda, including 717 with fine particulate matter (PM2:5), 569 with black carbon (BC), and 716 with carbon monoxide (CO) samples. Best subsets regression identified key predictors of personal PM2:5, BC, and CO exposure, defined by maximizing adjusted R2 values and minimizing prediction errors (Mallow’s CP and the Bayesian information criterion). RESULTS: The 24-h median concentrations at baseline were 88:9 lg=m3 [interquartile range ðIQRÞ = 85:0], 10:9 lg =m3 (IQR = 7.6), and 1:12 ppm (IQR = 1.9) for PM2:5, BC, and CO, respectively. Households using kerosene as a primary lighting source had higher PM2:5 levels (median = 116 lg=m3, IQR = 107) than those using electricity (64 lg=m3, IQR = 69). Women in households with modified biomass stoves with a chimney had lower median values (48 lg=m3, IQR = 52) for PM2:5, compared with those in households using open fires (113 lg=m3, IQR = 74) and other traditional stove types (155 lg=m3, IQR = 43) that yielded the highest values. Consensus models from the best subsets’ regression explained 26% of the variation in PM2:5, 36% in BC, and 31% in CO concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: Based on a unique and large dataset describing personal exposure among pregnant women in rural Rwanda, lighting and cooking practices described some variability in household PM2:5 concentrations, but overall, substantial unexplained variability remained. https://doi.org/10.1289/JHP1049

AB - BACKGROUND: Exposure to household air pollution from the combustion of solid fuels is a leading risk factor for death and disease in low- and middle-income countries, where cleaner cooking and lighting options are often unavailable. Few studies have measured personal exposure during pregnancy, a sensitive period of development, particularly in Africa. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to characterize exposure during early to midpregnancy among women in Rwanda and to assess predictors of personal exposure, including stove and fuel type, cooking behaviors, housing conditions, sociodemographic characteristics, and other potential sources of exposure. METHODS: We assessed 24-h baseline personal exposure data among 798 pregnant women in the Household Air Pollution Intervention Network (HAPIN) trial in Rwanda, including 717 with fine particulate matter (PM2:5), 569 with black carbon (BC), and 716 with carbon monoxide (CO) samples. Best subsets regression identified key predictors of personal PM2:5, BC, and CO exposure, defined by maximizing adjusted R2 values and minimizing prediction errors (Mallow’s CP and the Bayesian information criterion). RESULTS: The 24-h median concentrations at baseline were 88:9 lg=m3 [interquartile range ðIQRÞ = 85:0], 10:9 lg =m3 (IQR = 7.6), and 1:12 ppm (IQR = 1.9) for PM2:5, BC, and CO, respectively. Households using kerosene as a primary lighting source had higher PM2:5 levels (median = 116 lg=m3, IQR = 107) than those using electricity (64 lg=m3, IQR = 69). Women in households with modified biomass stoves with a chimney had lower median values (48 lg=m3, IQR = 52) for PM2:5, compared with those in households using open fires (113 lg=m3, IQR = 74) and other traditional stove types (155 lg=m3, IQR = 43) that yielded the highest values. Consensus models from the best subsets’ regression explained 26% of the variation in PM2:5, 36% in BC, and 31% in CO concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: Based on a unique and large dataset describing personal exposure among pregnant women in rural Rwanda, lighting and cooking practices described some variability in household PM2:5 concentrations, but overall, substantial unexplained variability remained. https://doi.org/10.1289/JHP1049

U2 - 10.1289/JHP1049

DO - 10.1289/JHP1049

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:85217508529

SN - 2156-9614

VL - 13

SP - 17001

EP - 17009

JO - Journal of Health and Pollution

JF - Journal of Health and Pollution

IS - 1

ER -

Predictors of Personal Exposure to Fine Particulate Matter, Black Carbon, and Carbon Monoxide among Pregnant Women in Rwanda: Baseline Data from the HAPIN Trial

Abstract

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