PREVALENCE OF HOUSEHOLD AIR POLLUTION AND RESPIRATORY SYMPTOMS AMONG UNDER FIVE CHILDREN IN EKOSODIN, BENIN CITY, EDO STATE, NIGERIA

Introduction: Household air pollution (HAP) remains a major public health concern in low- and middle-income countries, particularly in Nigeria where biomass fuel use is still common. Under-five children are especially vulnerable due to their developing respiratory systems and increased exposure within household environments. Despite existing global data, there is limited community-specific evidence in peri-urban areas such as Ekosodin, Benin City. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of household air pollution and respiratory symptoms among under-five children in Ekosodin, Benin City, Edo State. It also sought to identify common sources of HAP and assess the association between exposure and respiratory symptoms. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among caregivers of under￾five children using a multistage sampling technique. A minimum sample size of 298 was calculated, with 280 respondents participating. Data were collected using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire and analyzed using IBM SPSS version 27. Chi-square test and logistic regression were used to assess associations at a significance level of p < 0.05. Results: The majority of households used cleaner fuels, with gas (61.1%) and electricity (14.6%) being the most common, although some still used firewood (12.9%) and kerosene (7.5%). Most households had ventilation (94.6%), but only 18.6% had smoke outlets. Cough was the most prevalent respiratory symptom (31.4%), while wheezing (8.6%) and shortness of breath (3.2%) were less common. Diagnosed respiratory illnesses such as pneumonia (2.9%) and bronchitis (2.9%) were relatively low. Significant associations were found between respiratory symptoms and use of unclean fuels (p = 0.018), child proximity to cooking areas (p < 0.001), indoor pollution sources such as mosquito coils (p = 0.001), place of cooking (p < 0.001), and indoor tobacco smoking (p = 0.002). xi Conclusion: Despite the predominant use of cleaner fuels, household air pollution exposure remains prevalent due to other contributing factors such as cooking location, poor smoke outlet availability, and indoor pollution sources. These factors significantly influence the occurrence of respiratory symptoms among under-five children. Interventions should focus on improving household environmental practices alongside promoting clean energy use