Cost Saving and Resource Limited Solar Light Intervention in Rural Philippines ​

Authors' Affiliations

Dr. Megan Quinn; Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, College of Public Health, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN Dr. Bethesda O’Connell; Department of Community and Behavioral Health, College of Public Health, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN Dr. David Shoham; Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, College of Public Health, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN

Location

D.P. Culp Center Ballroom

Start Date

4-5-2024 9:00 AM

End Date

4-5-2024 11:30 AM

Poster Number

24

Name of Project's Faculty Sponsor

Amy Wahlquist

Faculty Sponsor's Department

Biostatistics and Epidemiology

Classification of First Author

Graduate Student-Doctoral

Competition Type

Competitive

Type

Poster Presentation

Presentation Category

Health

Abstract or Artist's Statement

Introduction Access to safe light is a basic life necessity and without it, an individual's safety, income, health, and education may suffer. When electricity is not readily available many households rely on kerosene lamps which have negative effects on the body and the environment. Lack of electricity causes many challenges for families, such as decreased time for studying for children, and less productivity for adults. Watts of Love is a nonprofit organization founded by Nancy Economou to provide alternative light sources for families in poverty. The aim of this study is to assess the differences between families' outcomes before and after having access to solar light. Methods Pre- and post-intervention survey data were collected in the Occidental Mindoro region of the Philippines by Watts of Love and given to East Tennessee State University as deidentified secondary data. Fifty-five households completed the post-intervention survey and were matched with their pre-intervention survey. Descriptive statistics were identified by frequencies, percents, means and standard deviations. McNemar tests were completed to test the paired pre- and post-intervention difference. Results After the intervention 94.55% were continuing the use of the solar light (n=52), and only 1.82% (n=1) was still using kerosene as a light source. Since having access to a solar light 83.64% (n=46) of household participants reported having saved money, 98.18% (n=54) reported having enough food for their family, and 74.55% (n=41) stated their children’s grades increased. Conclusion Currently, there is a substantial gap in the literature on the impact of home lighting and health outcomes. However, access to safe light is an essential aspect to a person’s health, safety, education, and livelihood. This study demonstrates the shift in household resources after having access to solar lights. This study also serves as the foundation for future research of this kind.

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Apr 5th, 9:00 AM Apr 5th, 11:30 AM

Cost Saving and Resource Limited Solar Light Intervention in Rural Philippines ​

D.P. Culp Center Ballroom

Introduction Access to safe light is a basic life necessity and without it, an individual's safety, income, health, and education may suffer. When electricity is not readily available many households rely on kerosene lamps which have negative effects on the body and the environment. Lack of electricity causes many challenges for families, such as decreased time for studying for children, and less productivity for adults. Watts of Love is a nonprofit organization founded by Nancy Economou to provide alternative light sources for families in poverty. The aim of this study is to assess the differences between families' outcomes before and after having access to solar light. Methods Pre- and post-intervention survey data were collected in the Occidental Mindoro region of the Philippines by Watts of Love and given to East Tennessee State University as deidentified secondary data. Fifty-five households completed the post-intervention survey and were matched with their pre-intervention survey. Descriptive statistics were identified by frequencies, percents, means and standard deviations. McNemar tests were completed to test the paired pre- and post-intervention difference. Results After the intervention 94.55% were continuing the use of the solar light (n=52), and only 1.82% (n=1) was still using kerosene as a light source. Since having access to a solar light 83.64% (n=46) of household participants reported having saved money, 98.18% (n=54) reported having enough food for their family, and 74.55% (n=41) stated their children’s grades increased. Conclusion Currently, there is a substantial gap in the literature on the impact of home lighting and health outcomes. However, access to safe light is an essential aspect to a person’s health, safety, education, and livelihood. This study demonstrates the shift in household resources after having access to solar lights. This study also serves as the foundation for future research of this kind.