Key Words

Lack of affordable alternative energy source inmost rural areas of Nigeria has resulted in overdependence on fuel-wood for domestic energy supply. The resultant envir-onmental pollution and negative health impact on womenand children that are often exposed are sufficient reasons for research and policy concerns. We investi-gated the pattern of energy utilisation in some rural communities and the impact on the health condition of women and children, and the environment by engaging questionnaire interview, retrospective clinic data and air quality monitoring. Fuel-wood used by 75 % of the women was sourced from the forest around rural settlements. Although 72%of thewomen had difficulties using fuel-wood, because no money was paid for exploiting it, it remained themost utilised energy source. The concentration of CO, NO2 and H2S (82.32.26, 0.21 0.01 and 0.18 0.01 ppm, respectively) in the indoor environment of the selected houses were higher than thepermissible limit for humanexposure. Common health problems suffered by the sampled rural women and their children included upper respiratory infection, dizziness, eye irritation, catarrh, sneezing, persistent headache and anaemia in pregnancy. Intervention for alternative cleaner energy provision is required in rural areas of the country as a matter of priority