Solar Lighting to Reduce Indoor Air Pollution in Rural Uganda

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Pollution; Exposure; Pollution Related Respiratory Disorder; Hypertension
• Interventions: Other: Solar lighting system

• Registration Number: NCT03351504
• Lead Sponsor: Massachusetts General Hospital

Brief Summary

This study evaluates the impact of a solar lighting system on kerosene lamp use, levels of indoor air pollution, and health in women living in rural Uganda. Half of the participants will receive the lighting systems immediately, while the other half will receive them after an 18 month delay.

Detailed Description

One fifth of the global population relies on kerosene lamps for lighting, yet few studies have focused on kerosene lighting as a source of indoor air pollution. In our preliminary studies performed in Uganda, we show that homes using solar lighting have much lower levels of indoor air pollution compared to homes using kerosene lighting. The primary goal of this study is to determine the extent to which solar lighting will reduce kerosene use and indoor air pollution in rural Uganda, whether this intervention improves lung health, and to identify the role bacteria in our gut have on determining whether or not people will get sick from indoor air pollution.

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2017-11-19
• Study First Submitted QC: 2017-11-19
• Study First Posted: 2017-11-22
• Study Start: 2018-02-07
• Primary Completion: 2019-10-31
• Study Completion: 2020-10-31
• Status Verified: 2020-12
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-02-04
• Last Update Posted: 2025-02-07

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: Female
• Target Recruitment: 80

Inclusion Criteria

• Women living in Nyakabare Parish, Uganda with no prior history of chronic lung disease

Exclusion Criteria

• Current active tuberculosis in any family member

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Intervention (solar lighting)	Solar lighting system	Participants will receive an indoor solar lighting system

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and Black Carbon	48 hour	Sampling for PM2.5 and Black Carbon over 48 hours will be collected

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Daily use of solar lighting system (hours per day)	baseline, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months after the intervention	A current monitory is installed as part of the solar lighting system that measures the hours per day each light switch is turned on
Blood pressure	baseline, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months after the intervention	Resting blood pressure
Forced Expiratory Volume in one Second (FEV1)	baseline, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months after the intervention	Pre- and Post- bronchodilator spirometry
Heart rate variability	baseline, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months after the intervention	Resting 10 minute heart rate variability
Stool microbiome	baseline, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months after the intervention	Microbial sequencing of the stool will be performed
Qualitative interviews	Post-intervention	1:1 qualitative interviews will be performed with participants
Respiratory symptoms	baseline, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months after intervention	Presence/absence of respiratory symptoms based on the American Thoracic Society Respiratory Disease questionnaire

Trial Locations

Locations (2)

Massachusetts General Hospital; 🇺🇸 Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Mbarara University of Science and Technology; 🇺🇬 Mbarara, Uganda