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Regional indoor air pollution and household energy monitoring workshops draw to a close

Contributed by James Robinson
Added: 19 November 2007

16 household energy practitioners have just returned to their homes in 10 countries across Africa to implement monitoring action plans following a very successful week of training in Pretoria.

They are among over 100 individuals from NGOs, government and the private sector who have attended workshops held over the last two years in Guatemala, Uganda, Sri Lanka, Vietnam and most recently South Africa. The purpose of the workshops was to equip people to monitor their projects and programmes using appropriate tools, to generate credible evidence of impact.

“I am happy I attended; a week well spent.” Africa Regional Workshop participant

The workshops covered a range of monitoring topics, including:

  • Indoor air pollution monitoring, including placing the UCB Particle Monitor and two CO monitors in homes to collect sample data;
  • Stove performance measurement techniques, with an opportunity to practice the water boiling test;
  • Questionnaire development, data analysis techniques and study design options;
  • Socio-economic impact assessment, focusing on a range of participatory techniques;
  • Achievable health impact assessment, focusing on simple questionnaire administration; and
  • Determining environmental impact and attracting carbon funding.
The mix of background information, practical tools and specialist advice enabled participants to return to their projects and programmes with tangible monitoring action plans. The workshops were also an invaluable opportunity for networking across continents.

These Partnership for Clean Indoor Air monitoring workshops were organised collaboratively by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the World Health Organisation, the Center for Entrepreneurship in International Health and Development, Winrock International and Aprovecho. PCIA is planning to organise other workshops in the future, focusing on a range of issues including social marketing. These will be publicised through HEDON, and further information will be available at www.pciaonline.org.

“This week I discovered that “improved” stoves can still produce very high IAP concentrations; we need to test stoves during design phase before widespread dissemination.” Asia Regional Workshop participant

Do you want to read more on monitoring? Many of the materials provided at the workshops are available online at PCIA and on the WHO website. HEDON also has a page on Monitoring and Evaluation, click here to read it

“Keep it up, the world needs this.” Africa Regional Workshop participant

Submitted by user:Jonathan Rouse





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