The Prevalence and Distribution of Domiciliary Cockroaches in Rural Areas: A Cross-Sectional Study Design in Limpopo Province
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.26911/jepublichealth.2024.09.02.02Abstract
Background: Cockroach infestation raises health concerns in the communities. The study aimed to identify the type of cockroach species found in the rural parts and assess the distribution of cockroach species in the area.
Subjects and Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in the households found in Ward 2 villages, Bolobedu and Limpopo Province in March 2021. A total of 120 households were selected using a multistage sampling strategy. Structured interviews were conducted to gather information about cockroach infestation in the households. The variables of interest in this study included the locations of cockroach sightings, pest control strategies used, and cockroach species trapped. A total of 1,186 cockroaches were trapped using a size 21×15 cm2 sticky paper sheet. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 29.
Results: About 751 (64%) of cockroaches were trapped in the indoor environment and 427 (36%) in the outdoor environment. Three species of cockroaches were identified as B. germanica, B. orientalis and P. americana cockroach. Sixty-nine (66%) of the households used spray or aerosol as a control strategy to reduce the cockroach population.
Conclusion: Irrespective of the villages where the cockroaches were trapped, B. germanica was the most prevalent species across the villages. Effective control strategies are required to also reduce the likelihood of pesticide resistance as well as decrease the exposure of humans to pesticide residues.
Keywords: Blattella germanica, Blatta orientalis, Periplaneta americana, prevalence, distribution
References
Ajang RO, Etta HE, Iboh CI, Abraham JT (2015). Public health implications of cockroaches within households in Calabar municipality, Cross River State, Nigeria. 2(2):114–119.
Atiokeng Tatang RJ, Tsila HG, Wabo Poné J (2017). Medically important parasites carried by cockroaches in Melong subdivision, Littoral, Cameroon. J. Parasitol. Res. 2017:1–8. doi: 10.1155/2017/7967325.
Baldwin P (2018). Effective management of cockroach infestation.Los Angeles: Department of Public Health Vector Management Program 32(2):22–44.
Boné E, Roca Acevedo G, Sterkel M, Ons S, González-Audino P, Sfara V (2022). Characterization of the pyrethroid resistance mechanisms in a Blattella germanica (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae) strain from Buenos Aires (Argentina). Bull. Entom. Res. 112(1), doi: 10.1017/S000748532100050X.
Bonnefoy X, Kampen H, Sweeney K (2008). Public health significance of urban pests. WHO Reginal Office for Europe, Copenhagen.
Chaichanawongsaroj N, Vanichayatanarak K, Pipatkullachat T, Polrojpanya M, Somkiatcharoen S (2004). Isolation of gram-negative bacteria from cock-roaches trapped from urban environment. 35(3):681–684.
Davies K, Tatjana P (1986). Survey of attitudes of apartment residents to cock-roaches and cockroach control. 49(2): 85–88.
Debash H, Alemu M, Ayehu A (2020). Species composition of cockroaches, their potential as mechanical vectors of intestinal parasites and associated factors among households in Sekota Town, northeast Ethiopia; a community-based cross-sectional study. doi: 10.21203/rs.3.rs51948/v1.
Eggleston PA (2003). Cockroach allergen abatement: The good, the bad, and the ugly. J. Allergy Clin. Immunol. 112(2): 265–267, doi:10.1067/mai.2003.1674.
Etim SEI, Okon OE, Akpan PA, Aukpong I, Oku EE, Madlul H (2013). Prevalence of cockroaches (Periplanata americana) in households in Calabar: Public health implications. 5:149–152.
Gore JC, Schal C (2005). Expression, production and excretion of Bla g 1, a major human allergen, in relation to food intake in the German cockroach, Blattella germanica. Med. Vet. Entomol. 19(2):127–134, doi: 10.1111/j.0269283X.2005.00550.x.
Hamu H, Debalke S, Zemene E, Birlie B, Mekonnen Z, Yewhalaw D (2014). Isolation of intestinal parasites of public health importance from cock-roaches (blattella germanica) in Jimma Town, southwestern Ethiopia. J. Parasitol Res. 2014:1–5, doi: 10.1155/2014/186240.
Hassan AO, Uyigue PO, Akinleye CA, Olamijuwon PB (2021). The Roles of Domiciliary Cockroach in Transmission of Enteric Disease in Humans. 3(1):246–256.
Hughes GM (1952). The coordination of insect movements. J Exp Biol. 29(2): 267–285, doi:10.1242/jeb.29.2.267.
Kopanic RJ, Sheldon BW, Wright CharlesG (1994). Cockroaches as vectors of salmonella: laboratory and field trials’. J Food Prot. 57(2):125–131, doi: 10.4315/0362-028X-57.2.125.
McCanless K (2007). Oriental Cockroach, Blatta orientalis Linnaeus (Insecta: Blattaria: Blattidae. 26(13).
Mehainaoui A, Menasria T, Benouagueni S, Benhadj M, Lalaoui R, Gacemi‐Kirane D (2021). Rapid screening and characterization of bacteria associated with hospital cockroaches (blattella germa-nica l.) using MALDI‐TOF mass spectrometry. J Appl Microbiol. 130(3): 960–970, doi:10.1111/jam.14803.
Moges F, Eshetie S, Endris M, Huruy K, Muluye D, Feleke T, Silassie F, Ayalew G, Nagappan R (2016). Cockroaches as a source of high bacterial pathogens with multidrug resistant strains in Gondar Town, Ethiopia. Biomed Res Int. 2016:1–6, doi: 10.1155/2016/2825056.
Pan XY, Zhang F (2020). Advances in biological control of the German cockroach, Blattella germanica (L.). Biol Control. 142:104104, doi: 10.1016/j.biocontrol.2019.104104.
Prescott LM, Harley JP, Klein DA (2002). Microbiology. Fifth edition. McGraw-Hill, Boston.
Shahraki GH, Noor HM, Rafinejad J, Shahar MK, Ibrahim Y Bin (2010). Efficacy of sanitation and sanitary factors against the German cockroach (Blattella germanica) infestation and effectiveness of educational programs on sanitation in Iran. Asian Biomed. 4(5). doi: 10.2478/abm-2010-0105.
Shahraki GH, Parhizkar S, Nejad ARS (2013). Cockroach infestation and factors affecting the estimation of
cockroach population in urban communities. Int J Zool. 2013:1–6, doi: 10.1155/2013/649089.
Tatfeng YM, Usuanlele MU, Orukpe A, Digban AK, Okodua M, Oviasogie F, Turay AA (2005). Mechanical transmission of pathogenic organisms: the role of cockroaches. J Vector Borne Dis. 42(4):129–134.
Zahraei-Ramazani AR, Saghafipour A, Vatandoost H (2018). Control of American cockroach (Periplaneta ameri-cana) in municipal sewage disposal system, Central Iran. J. Arthropod. Borne Dis. 172–179. doi: 10.18502/jad.v12i2.43.
Downloads
Published
2024-04-16
Issue
Vol. 9 No. 2 (2024)
Section
Articles
1.jpg)
