Indoor air pollution and gender difference in respiratory health and schooling for children in Cameroon

Indoor air pollution (IAP) resulting from firewood used as cooking fuel is related to the respiratory problems and can lead to the reduction in human capital formation. Using data from the fourth Cameroonian survey of households carried out in 2014, we analyse if exposure to indoor air pollution resulting from the use of firewood provokes respiratory infections and if they have consequences on the education of children according to gender. Our results show that the use of firewood as the main fuel for cooking increases the risk of respiratory infection among girls (but not among boys) and these infections have a negative impact on education.