Household Air Pollution and Health: A Multi-country LPG Intervention Trial

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This study is a randomized controlled trial of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) stove and fuel distribution in 3,200 households in four countries (India, Guatemala, Peru, and Rwanda). Following a common protocol, each intervention site will recruit 800 pregnant women (aged 18-34 years, 9 - <20 weeks gestation), and will randomly assign half their households to receive LPG stoves and an 18-month supply of LPG. Control households are anticipated to continue to cook primarily with solid biomass fuels, and will receive compensation based on a uniform set of trial-wide principles, customized to each site based on formative research. The mother will be followed along with her child until the child is 1 year old. The researchers estimate that 15% of households will have a second, non-pregnant older adult woman (aged 40 to <80 years) who will also be enrolled at baseline and followed during the 18-month follow-up period. To optimize intervention use, the researchers will implement behavior change strategies informed by previous experiences and formative research in Year 1. This study will assess cookstove use, conduct repeated personal exposure assessments of household air pollution, and collect dried blood spots and urinary samples for biomarker analysis and biospecimen storage. The primary outcomes are low birth weight, severe pneumonia incidence, and stunting of the child, and blood pressure in the older adult woman. Secondary outcomes include preterm birth and development in the child, maternal blood pressure during pregnancy, and endothelial function, respiratory impairment, atherosclerosis, carcinogenic metabolites, and quality of life in the older adult woman. Participants in India, Guatemala and Rwanda will be followed until the child is 5 years old to assess the longer-term effects of the intervention.

Detailed Description
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Globally, nearly 3 billion people rely on solid fuels for cooking and heating, the vast majority in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The resulting household air pollution (HAP) is the third leading risk factor in the 2010 global burden of disease, accounting for an estimated 4.3 million deaths annually, largely among women and young children. Previous interventions have provided cleaner biomass-based cookstoves, but have failed to reduce exposure to levels that produce meaningful health improvements. There have been no large-scale field trials with liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cookstoves, likely the cleanest scalable intervention. The aim of this study is to conduct a randomized controlled trial of LPG stove and fuel distribution in 3,200 households in four LMICs (India, Guatemala, Peru, and Rwanda) to deliver rigorous evidence regarding potential health benefits across the lifespan. Each intervention site will recruit 800 pregnant women (aged 18-34 years, 9 - <20 weeks gestation), and will randomly assign half their households to receive LPG stoves and an 18-month supply of LPG. Control households are anticipated to continue to cook primarily with solid biomass fuels, and will receive compensation based on a uniform set of trial-wide principles, customized to each site based on formative research. The mother will be followed along with her child until the child is 1 year old. In households with a second, non-pregnant older adult woman (aged 40 to <80 years) the researchers will also enroll and follow her during the 18-month follow-up period in order to assess cardiopulmonary, metabolic, and cancer outcomes. To optimize intervention use, the researchers will implement behavior change strategies. This study will assess cookstove use, conduct repeated personal exposure assessments to HAP (PM2.5, black carbon, carbon monoxide), and collect dried blood spots and urinary samples for biomarker analysis and biospecimen storage on all participants at multiple time points. The primary outcomes are low birth weight, severe pneumonia incidence, and stunting of the child, and blood pressure in the older adult woman. Secondary outcomes include preterm birth and development in the child, maternal blood pressure during pregnancy, and endothelial function, respiratory impairment, atherosclerosis, carcinogenic metabolites, and quality of life in the older adult woman. This study will address the following specific aims: (1) using an intent-to-treat analysis, determine the effect of a randomized LPG stove and fuel intervention on health in four diverse LMIC populations using a common protocol; (2) determine the exposure-response relationships for HAP and health outcomes; and (3) determine relationships between LPG intervention and both targeted and exploratory biomarkers of exposure/health effects. This study will provide evidence, including costs and implementation strategies, to inform national and global policies on scaling up LPG stoves among vulnerable populations. Ultimately, this will facilitate deeper policy-level discussions as well as identify requirements for initiating and sustaining HAP interventions globally. The intervention delivery occurs when the child is one year of age. The researchers will continue to follow participants in India, Guatemala and Rwanda until the child is 5 years old to assess the longer-term effects of the intervention. Previous evidence suggests that the benefits of reduced exposure during the first, critical year of development will continue even if the intervention ends. The researchers will continue using methods employed during the HAPIN trial period. The HAPIN trial provides a unique context in which to address these questions, particularly given the successful intervention and exposure reduction. Participants are well-characterized and health and exposures to air pollution are being documented. Critically, because of its experimental design of the trial, continued follow-up of the cohort will provide rigorous causal inferences about the effects of this 500-day intervention over the most important period of early childhood development.

Official Title
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Household Air Pollution and Health: A Multi-country LPG Intervention Trial

Conditions
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Infant, Low Birth Weight

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cookstove


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria for Pregnant Women: Confirmed pregnancy (hCG positive blood or urine test) Aged 18 to <35 years (via self-report) Uses biomass stove predominantly Lives in study area 9 - <20 weeks gestation confirmed by ultrasound Singleton pregnancy (one fetus) Viable fetus with normal fetal heart rate (120-180 beats per minute) at time of ultrasound Continued pregnancy at the time of randomization confirmed by self-report Agrees to participate with informed consent Exclusion Criteria for Pregnant Women: Currently smokes cigarettes or other tobacco products Plans to move permanently outside study area in the next 12 months Uses LPG stove predominantly, or is likely to use LPG predominantly in the near future Inclusion Criteria for Older Adult Woman in the Same Household: Aged 40 to <80 years (via self-report) Exclusion Criteria for Older Adult Woman in the Same Household: Currently smokes cigarettes or other tobacco products Pregnant (by self-report) Plans to move out of her current household in the next 12 months

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 79 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Prevention
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Liquefied petroleum gas cookstove<br>Participants randomized to the experimental arm will receive a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cookstove and 18-month supply of LPG. | Other: Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cookstove<br>* The intervention consists of a high-quality locally-available liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) stove having at least two burners, a continuous supply of LPG fuel for 18 months, and the promotion of stove use on an exclusive basis for cooking. The intervention will be provided free of charge to all intervention households upon enrollment. On a weekly basis, study staff will examine stove condition, perform any repairs necessary, and measure and record weight of LPG tanks in order to anticipate need for refills.<br>|
| No Intervention: Control<br>Participants in the control group will not receive a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) stove and will continue using traditional cooking methods (open fire or traditional stoves), or the cooking method of their choice. Control households will receive compensation based on a uniform set of trial-wide principles, customized to each site based on formative research. | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Birth weight | Birth weight will be assessed by a trained nurse or health worker within 24 hours of birth. Infants will be weighed naked or in a pre-weighed blanket. Weight will be measured to the nearest 10 g using a digital electronic scale, if performed by the study field staff; otherwise, hospital medical records will be used. | Within 24 hours of birth (up to 5 months post-randomization of mother) | 
| Incidence of HAPIN Defined Severe Pneumonia | The number of times a child has severe pneumonia over their period of follow-up during the first year of life will be assessed. HAPIN pneumonia criteria are adapted from the WHO classification of childhood pneumonia (2014) and there are 3 algorithms for HAPIN case criteria: 1) the presence of cough and/or difficult breathing and at least 1 general danger sign plus evidence of pneumonia on lung imaging (i.e., lung ultrasound or chest x-ray), or 2) the presence of cough and/or difficult breathing and hypoxemia (measured either via pulse oximetry (SpO2), or observing a child requiring advanced respiratory support (i.e., intubation and mechanical ventilation, non-invasive ventilation with continuous or bi-level positive airway pressure support, or high-flow nasal cannula oxygen), or 3) children who die prior to evaluation but their death is attributed to pneumonia by verbal autopsy. Cases of pneumonia are recorded children present to HAPIN health facilities with respiratory symptoms. | Up to 12 months after birth | 
| Length-for-age z-score 2 standard deviations below the standard | The primary outcome measured is stunting at one year of age, defined as a length-for-age z-score (LAZ) that is 2 standard deviations below the median of the growth standard. Infant length will be assessed at birth and quarterly thereafter, until the child is 12 months old. Z-scores will be calculated using the 2006 World Health Organization (WHO) Multi-Growth Reference Standard (MGRS). | 12 months after birth | 
| Change in Systolic Blood Pressure | Systolic blood pressure will be assessed in the older adult women in the intervention and control arms using automatic sphygmomanometers (Omron HEM-907XL; Osaka, Japan). The study team will use the procedures adapted from previously validated methods and cardiovascular outcome studies, following recommendations for the American Heart Association and the European Society of Hypertension. | Baseline, 3, 5, 9, 12, and 18 months post-randomization, 24, 36, 48, and 60 months of age | 
| Change in Child Linear Growth | Linear growth of children will be assessed in centimeters of height from the time of birth until 60 months of age. | Birth (3-5 months post-randomization), 3, 6, 9, 12, 24, 36, 48 and 60 months of age | 
| Change in Caregiver Reported Early Childhood Development Instrument (CREDI) Score | Child development will be assessed with the Caregiver Reported Early Childhood Development Instrument (CREDI). The CREDI is a population-level measure of early childhood development (ECD) for children from 0-2 years of age. The CREDI assesses 5 domains of child development: 1) motor development (fine and gross motor), 2) language development (expressive and receptive language), 3) cognitive development (executive function, problem solving and reasoning, and pre-academic knowledge), 4) socio-emotional development (emotional and behavioral self-regulation, emotional knowledge, and social competence), and 5) mental health (internalizing and externalizing behaviors). The CREDI long form has 117 items and the number of questions answered depends on the age of the child. Responses of yes are coded as 1 and no is coded as 0; certain items are reverse coded. Total raw scores increase by age (with developmental progression), and higher scores indicate increased development. | 3 months of age to 24 months of age | 
| Change in Malawi Developmental Assessment Tool (MDAT) Score | The MDAT measures gross motor (39 items), fine motor (42 items), language/cognition (40 items) and social skills (36 items). Originally developed and validated in rural Malawi, it has now been used in over 25 countries with more than 8,000 children as both a clinical and research tool. The MDAT is a continuous test with start and stop rules. Most items are administered directly to the child and items that are not easily observed (e.g., child speaks in full sentences; child understands sharing with others; child can dress self) are administered by parent report. Children receive either a pass or fail for each item, and summed pass scores can produce a composite score as well as domain-specific scores. Total scores range from 0 to 157 where higher scores indicate greater neurodevelopment. | 36, 48 and 60 months of age | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in Maternal Blood Pressure | Blood pressure will be assessed in the pregnant women in the intervention and control arms using automatic sphygmomanometers (OMRON HEM-907XL; Osaka, Japan). After delivery, blood pressure will be measured in the new mothers when the child is 24, 36, 48 and 60 months old. The study team will use the procedures adapted from previously validated methods and cardiovascular outcome studies, following recommendations for the American Heart Association and the European Society of Hypertension. | Baseline (9-20 weeks gestation), 24-28 and 32-36 weeks gestation, 24, 36, 48 and 60 months of age | 
| Change in Diastolic blood pressure | Diastolic blood pressure will be assessed in the older adult women and new mothers in the intervention and control arms using automatic sphygmomanometers (Omron HEM-907XL; Osaka, Japan). The study team will use the procedures adapted from previously validated methods and cardiovascular outcome studies, following recommendations for the American Heart Association and the European Society of Hypertension. | Baseline, 3, 6, 12 and 18 months post-randomization, 24, 36, 48, and 60 months of age | 
| Mean arterial pressure | Mean arterial pressure will be assessed in the older adult women and new mothers in the intervention and control arms using automatic sphygmomanometers (Omron HEM-907XL; Osaka, Japan). Mean arterial pressure is calculated as DBP+(SBP-DBP)/3, where SBP=systolic blood pressure and DBP=diastolic blood pressure. | Baseline, 3, 6, 12 and 18 months post-randomization, 24, 36, 48, and 60 months of age | 
| Pulse pressure | Pulse pressure will be assessed in the older adult women and new mothers in the intervention and control arms using automatic sphygmomanometers (Omron HEM-907XL; Osaka, Japan). pressure. Pulse pressure is the difference between systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure. | Baseline, 3, 6, 12 and 18 months post-randomization, 24, 36, 48, and 60 months of age | 
| Fetal Growth | Pregnant women will have ultrasounds at Baseline and during gestation weeks 24-28 and gestation weeks 32-36 to measure fetal growth outcomes. Specifically, we will evaluate head circumference (HC), abdominal circumference (AC), femur length (FL) and estimated fetal weight (EFW) during gestation. We will compare (i) z-scores of individual fetal growth measurements (HC, AC, FL, EFW) at the 2 growth ultrasound visits between intervention and control participants (separately at 24-28 wks gestation and 32-36 wks gestation); (ii) differences in proportions of the 2.5th percentiles of each of these measurements evaluated separately at 24-28 and 32-36 weeks gestation; (iii) Z-score trajectories of HC, AC, FL and EFW as a function of gestational age and intervention; and (iv) prevalence of small for gestational age (SGA) during the fetal period through birth as measured by WHO INTERGROWTH 21st standards. | Baseline, Gestation Week 24-28 and Gestation Week 32-36 | 
| Gestational age at birth | In weeks, as continuous outcome, among all live births. | Up to 5 months (within 24 hours of birth, 3-5 months post randomization) | 
| Preterm birth | Preterm birth is defined as delivery of a living infant prior to 37 completed weeks of gestation. | Up to 5 months (within 24 hours of birth, 3-5 months post randomization) | 
| WHO Non-severe Pneumonia | Cumulative incidence of WHO non-severe pneumonia (2014 definition and 2013 definition) during the first year of life. Cases of pneumonia are recorded whenever children present to HAPIN health facilities with respiratory symptoms. | Up to 12 months after birth | 
| WHO Severe Pneumonia | Cumulative incidence of WHO non-severe pneumonia (2014 definition and 2013 definition) during the first year of life. Cases of pneumonia are recorded whenever children present to HAPIN health facilities with respiratory symptoms. | Up to 12 months after birth | 
| Hospitalization for respiratory illness | Cumulative incidence of hospitalizations for a respiratory illness during the first year of life. | Up to 12 months after birth | 
| WHO Pocket Book Non-severe Pneumonia | Cumulative incidence of WHO non-severe pneumonia during the first year of life, as defined in the second edition of the Pocket book of hospital care for children (2013). Cases of pneumonia are recorded whenever children present to HAPIN health facilities with respiratory symptoms. | Up to 12 months after birth | 
| WHO Pocket Book Severe Pneumonia | Cumulative incidence of WHO severe pneumonia during the first year of life, as defined in the second edition of the Pocket book of hospital care for children (2013). Cases of pneumonia are recorded whenever children present to HAPIN health facilities with respiratory symptoms. | Up to 12 months after birth | 
| Hypoxemic Pneumonia | Cumulative incidence of hypoxemic pneumonia during the first year of life. Cases of pneumonia are recorded whenever children present to HAPIN health facilities with respiratory symptoms. | Up to 12 months after birth | 
| Ultrasound or Radiograph Pneumonia | Cumulative incidence of lung ultrasound or chest radiograph pneumonia during the first year of life. Cases of pneumonia are recorded whenever children present to HAPIN health facilities with respiratory symptoms. | Up to 12 months after birth | 
| Change in Brachial artery reactivity testing (BART) | Brachial artery reactivity testing (BART) measures endothelial function via flow-mediated dilatation to reactive hyperemia following the release of arm blood-flow occlusion. In this test, baseline artery diameter is measured, then a blood pressure cuff is inflated to induce distal arm ischemia for 5 minutes and after releasing the pressure, the post-occlusion brachial artery diameter is measured. The ratio of post- to pre-occlusion artery diameter represents endothelial function where lower values indicate worse endothelial function. (Peru only) | Baseline, 18 months | 
| Change in Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) | The carotid intima-media thickness test (CIMT) is used to determine the extent of carotid atherosclerotic vascular disease. The test measures the thickness of the inner two layers of the carotid artery and can detect plaque build up prior to physical symptoms being experienced. The carotid ultrasound will be performed with a portable ultrasound by trained sonographers. | Baseline, 18 months post-randomization, and when child is 24 months of age | 
| Change in St. George Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) Score | Adult respiratory health and well-being will be assessed with the St. George Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ). The SGRQ measures impaired health and perceived well-being among individuals with chronic airway disease. The SGRQ has sections assessing symptoms, activities that cause breathlessness or are limited because of breathlessness, and the impacts of respiratory problems on employment, sense of control of health, panic, stigmatization, medication use, side effects of therapies, expectations for health and disturbances of daily life. The questionnaire includes multiple choice, true/false and open-ended questions. | Baseline, 18 months | 
| Change in Short Form 36 Survey (SF-36) Score | The Short Form 36 survey (SF-36) is a standardized, preference-based 36 item questionnaire evaluating quality of life. The survey has 8 sections (vitality, physical functioning, bodily pain, general health perceptions, physical role functioning, emotional role functioning, social role functioning, and mental health). Possible scores range from 0 (lowest quality of life) to 100 (highest quality of life). | Baseline, 18 months | 
| Change in Weight | Weight will be measured in the pregnant women/new mothers, the older adult women, and the children. Weight is measured in kilograms (kg). Weight in pregnant women will be measured at baseline, 24-28 weeks gestation, and 32-36 weeks gestation, and in new mothers when the child is 24- and 36-months old. In older adult women, it will be measured at baseline, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 18 months post-randomization, and when the child is 24-months old. Weight in children will be measured at birth, and at 3, 6, 9, 12, 24, 36, 48 and 60 months of age. | Baseline, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 18 months post-randomization, 24, 36, 48 and 60 months of age | 
| Change in Body Mass Index (BMI) | BMI will be calculated for the pregnant women, the older adult women, and the children. BMI is calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters (m) squared (kg/m²). BMI in pregnant women will be calculated at baseline, 24-28 weeks gestation, and 32-36 weeks gestation, and in new mothers when the child is 24- and 36-months old. In older adult women, it will be calculated at baseline, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 18 months post-randomization, and when the child is 24-months old. Weight in children will be calculated at birth, and at 3, 6, 9, 12, 24, 36, 48 and 60 months of age. | Baseline, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 18 months post-randomization, 24, 36, 48 and 60 months of age | 
| Change in Height | Height in women will be measured in centimeters. Height in pregnant women will be measured at baseline, 24-28 weeks gestation, and 32-36 weeks gestation, and in new mothers when the child is 24- and 36-months old. In older adult women, it will be measured at baseline, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 18 months post-randomization, and when the child is 24-months old. This measurement will be used to compute the body mass index. | Baseline, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 18 months post-randomization, 24 months of age | 
| Change in Urinary Biomarkers | Multiple exposure biomarkers will be measured: 3-OH Cotinine, 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol (NNAL), levoglucosan, 8OH-deoxyguanosine (8OHdG), and Volatile Organic Chemicals (VOC) metabolites. Exposure biomarkers (especially for children whose urine may be limited) will be prioritized as follows: polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) biomarkers, levoglucosan, volatile organic chemicals (VOC) biomarkers, heavy metals, and tobacco-related biomarkers. Urinary biomarkers will be measured in pregnant women at baseline, 24-28 weeks gestation, and 32-36 weeks gestation, and in new mothers when the child is 24-months old. Biomarkers will be measured in older adult women at baseline, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 18 months post-randomization. Biomarkers will be measured in children at 3, 6, 12 and 24 months of age. | Baseline, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 18 months post-randomization, 3, 6, 12 and 24 months of age | 
| Change in Dried Blood Spot (DBS) Biomarkers | The main biomarkers to be measured from the dried blood spots is: inflammation markers, endothelial markers of cardiovascular disease, oxidative stress markers, Hb, HbA1C, tumor-associated antigen antibodies, cytochrome P450, p53 TAA, lipids, metabolomics, MiRNA, heavy metals. DBS biomarkers will be measured in pregnant women at baseline, 24-28 weeks gestation, and 32-36 weeks gestation, and in new mothers when the child is 24-months old. DBS biomarkers will be measured in older adult women at baseline, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 18 months post-randomization. DBS biomarkers will be measured in children at 3, 6, 12 and 24 months of age. | Baseline, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 18 months post-randomization, 3, 6, 12 and 24 months of age | 
| Child Lung Function | Lung function measurements will be made at 3 years of age using the forced oscillation technique (FOT) with the Tremoflo C-100 device with disposable mouthpieces. FOT is a technique that can identify early changes in the airways. The FOT device measures the relationship between externally applied pressure waves and the resulting air flow to measure respiratory impedance. Values produced at high frequencies correspond to the proximal and large airways, and values produced at low frequencies correspond to distal and small airways. | 36 months of age | 
| Death | Death of all participants will be documented | Up to Study Exit (up to 60 months of age of child) | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Obstetrics, Pregnancy Outcomes, Pediatrics, Atherosclerosis, Cancer, Cardiovascular Disease, Public Health, Environmental Air Pollutants