Implementation and Evaluation of a Communication Strategy to Control Ragweed Pollen

Celine Plante,Francine Hubert,Audrey Smargiassi,Sophie Goudreau

doi:10.5539/ep.v5n1p87

Abstract

The common ragweed (<em>Ambrosia artemisiifolia</em>) is widespread in southwestern areas of Quebec, Canada. It is known to release large quantities of pollen from July through September, triggering allergic reactions such as rhinitis and generating significant costs for public health. The objective of this study was to implement and evaluate a communication intervention aimed at decreasing ragweed pollen. Selected lands with potential ragweed presence were visited twice, before and after the intervention, on three seasons in the East of the Montreal Island, Quebec. At the first visit done in 2010, 2011, and 2012, ragweed plots were located and measured; at the second visit in 2012, the measures were redone. Various numbers of communications were sent to owners of ragweed-infested lands that included explanations of health impacts of ragweed pollen and the importance of mowing. Mixed logistic regressions were used to test the effect of the number of communications on the mow. In the group that received four notices, a statistically significant three-fold increase in the proportion of land owners that had cut ragweed plots (OR = 3.20; 95 %CI: 1.16-8.84) was noted, compared to the group that received only one notice. For owners of vacant lands, the effect was somewhat more pronounced (OR = 3.82; 95%CI: 1.23-11.67). Nonetheless, the change from one to three communications showed no increase of mowing. In conclusion, the results of the present study suggest that communications and reminders of the importance of ragweed cut to landowners could be an effective measure to limit ragweed pollen.

Highlights

Pollen is a leading cause of seasonal allergic rhinitis and contributes to the aggravation of asthma (Bacsi et al 2006; Jacques et al 2008)
Without controlling for ragweed pollen and the plants, the health impact of ragweed is expected to worsen with climate change through the spread of the geographic distribution and the increase in the duration of the pollination period likely to occur in Canada (Ziska et al, 2011)
This study aimed at implementing and evaluating a ragweed control strategy, in Montreal Island, Quebec, Canada, using personalized information distributed to the owners of potentially ragweed-infested lands

Summary

Introduction

Pollen is a leading cause of seasonal allergic rhinitis and contributes to the aggravation of asthma (Bacsi et al 2006; Jacques et al 2008). An awareness of the problem has led to the suggestion of several ragweed control methods where the plant is abundant. Among the methods for controlling the plant, mowing or cutting is of particular interest because of its low cost. An experimental study done in green house by Agriculture and Agri-food Canada (AAFC 2011) suggests that cutting ragweed plants when the plant reaches about 25 cm to a height of about ten cm twice in the season, around mid-July and mid-August, can reduce pollen production by a factor of nine and reduce seed production by a factor five. Pollen reduction could lead to health improvements of allergic persons (Masson et al 2012)

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion