Effect of Education on ICS Adoption Level

Abstract

Abstract: The study investigated the influence of education levels on adoption of improved cook stoves (ICS) in Kakamega, Kisumu and Uasin Gishu counties. Sampling in stages was applied to categorize the population into low, middle and high income household using income levels. Convenience sampling was used to select six estates to represent the counties. The Institutions and hotels used population served and nearness to urban setting. Three estates in Kakamega (Shikambi, Amalemba and Milimani), Kisumu (Manyata, Tom Mboya and Milimani) and Uasin Gishu (Langas, Kapsoya and Elgon View) counties were sampled. In low-income estates 50 households were sample, 40 in middle income and 30 in high-income. In each county, 7 educational institutions and 23 hotels (4 large hotels serving more than 601 people per day, 7 medium hotels serving between 301 to 600 and 12 small size hotels serving less than 300 people) were sampled too. Data was collected using semi-structured questionnaires, direct interviews and focus group discussions. Data collected was analyzed through both descriptive and chi-square (χ2) statistics in SPSS version 23. The results revealed that education level and charcoal saving cook stove properties significantly influenced ICS adoption in households (χ2=115.7548; p<0.05). However, the education level of the head cooks (χ2=0.6622) and awareness level of head cooks (χ2=0.5057) did not significantly influence adoption in institutions. In hotels, no socio-economic factor (head cooks education level χ2=0.4333) or head cook ICS awareness χ2=0.1000 significantly influenced ICS adoption in hotels at p<0.05. The study concluded that socio-economic factors influenced adoption of ICS in varied degrees. However, increasing the awareness of ICS availability and benefits would increase adoption in spite of education levels among households, institutions and hotels. The stove manufactures should also maximize on the availability and benefits such as durability and charcoal saving aspect of the ICS stove.