Community Based Assessment of Bed Bug Infestation Status in Arba Minch Zuria Woreda, Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

Introduction: Bedbug infestations have become a serious problem in housing dueto their crawling and blood sucking activities. Objective: This study was aimed to assess the infestation status and public health importance of bed bug infestation in low income communities at household level. Methods: A community based cross-sectional study was conducted between January and February, 2018 on 721 housuholds in Arba Minch zuria Woreda, Southern Ethiopia with random sampling technique. Data collection was undertaken on knowledge and attitude about bed bug and bedbug infestation health impacts and factors for the infestation and control practices used were collected with well prepared questionnaire and standard observational check. Results: From all inspected materials, 97% infestation were on wall and sleeping and mosquito bed nets. The left materials relatively infested less were arm chair (2.76%) and other materials (0.89%) found in the house of the participants. About 31% and 15% participants reported bed bug infestation prohibited from using mosquito nets and cause thyphoid respectively. The left 55 % of participants reported the infestation causes wounds, itching, lossing rest and skin lesion. 98.1% of the participants have a knowledge about bed bug, blood sucking insects and 44% of respondents believed in insecticide nets increases the infestation. 72.5% household are using together hot water (42.28%) and ajjacks with water (30.2%) followed by 18.8% chemicals to control infestation. Omo soap, sun lights and plants were optional mechanisms of infestation controls. Conclusion: Bedbugs resurgences and its related factors are being considered as public health problem in Ethiopia. More researches focusing on bed bug biology and epidemiology are required establish a new prevention, treatment, control options and public health response.