Assessment of demographic predictors of awareness on health effects and preventive measures of indoor air pollution

Indoor air pollution (IAP) is a critical but often overlooked environmental health issue, particularly in urban households. This study assessed the awareness of 150 respondents in Dharwad city, Karnataka, regarding the health effects of IAP and their preventive practices, along with the influence of socio-demographic factors. Data were collected using a self-structured, pre-tested interview schedule and analysed through descriptive statistics, weighted mean scores, chi-square test, correlation and ANOVA. The study faced challenges such as reliance on self-reported data, difficulty in assessing respondent’s perceptions of long-term health effects of indoor air pollution and this study does not report the sources of IAP. Findings revealed that respondents were well aware of immediate health effects of IAP, such as asthma, eye irritation, coughing, and headaches, but had limited awareness about long-term impacts, including cardiovascular disease, lung problems and cognitive decline. Preventive practices were largely confined to low-cost, visible measures such as maintaining cleanliness, ventilation, and avoiding indoor smoking, while the adoption of eco-friendly products, indoor plants, and air purifiers remained low. Education, occupation, income, and socio-economic status significantly influenced both awareness and preventive measures, whereas age and family type had no notable impact. The study highlights the need for targeted awareness programs and affordable interventions to bridge knowledge gaps and promote sustainable practices for mitigating IAP. The study contributes empirical evidence on demographic predictors of IAP awareness and highlights the need for targeted awareness programmes to fill the gap between awareness and practice to mitigate indoor air pollution.