Pl. Engle et al., SMOKE EXPOSURE OF WOMEN AND YOUNG-CHILDREN IN HIGHLAND GUATEMALA - PREDICTION AND RECALL ACCURACY, Human organization, 56(4), 1997, pp. 408-417
In order to measure accurately indigenous Guatemalan women and young c
hildren's exposure to smoke from cooking fires, three techniques were
compared: 1) observation; 2) recall 24 hours later based on duration o
f activities; and 3) recall 24 hours later based on the time each acti
vity started and stopped (elapsed time). To measure recall accuracy 43
women and their children under two years were observed during meal pr
eparation and consumption, and the next day were asked to recall these
activities. Women were reasonably accurate when recalling durations,
but recall was significantly less accurate using elapsed times. Recall
accuracy increased when two days' measurements were averaged. Women s
pent more time in the kitchen if they had a husband, and spoke only th
e indigenous language. For children, mothers' patterns and child's age
were associated with time in the kitchen. Children who could walk spe
nt significantly less time in the kitchen than non-walkers. Implicatio
ns for action to prevent indoor air pollution for women and children a
re discussed.