Research on Using Electric Induction Stoves to Reduce Air Pollution and Costs in Cambodian Households Studying Ways to Support Families in Switching from Wood or Charcoal Stoves

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to help families in Cambodia switch from traditional wood or charcoal stoves to electric induction stoves, studying whether this change is safe, affordable, and sustainable. It focuses on reducing household air pollution, which is linked to serious health problems, and evaluates which strategies best encourage families to use induction stoves regularly while stopping traditional cooking methods. The study compares different approaches in 65 peri-urban villages, including community engagement, direct sales, financial subsidies, and combinations of these. Participants receive an electric induction stove with two burners and compatible cookware, accompanied by cloud-connected devices that track stove use. Some villages serve as controls and do not receive interventions during the trial. Participants will have their stove use monitored with special devices and air pollution measured in their homes before and after receiving induction stoves. Researchers will also collect information on cooking habits and experiences through surveys and interviews. The main outcomes measured are the proportion of households purchasing induction stoves and the number of meals cooked without biomass fuels, assessed 18 to 30 months post-intervention. The study includes ongoing evaluation of stove use patterns and household air pollution exposure over time.

Applied Implementation Research for Clean Cooking in Cambodia