THE IMPACTS OF HOUSEHOLD PEST INFESTATION ON HEALTH IN ESSIEN UDIM LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA
THE IMPACTS OF HOUSEHOLD PEST INFESTATION ON HEALTH IN ESSIEN UDIM LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA
LISTS OF TABLE
Table I: Geographical Distribution of Respondents – –
Table II: Sex Distribution of Respondents – – – –
Table III: Age Range of Respondents – – – –
Table IV: Marital Status of Respondents – – – –
Table V: Educational Qualification of Respondents – –
Table VI: Religious Group of Respondents – – – –
Step II: Observed Frequency Table of Respondents – –
Step V: Calculated Chi-square Test of Hypothesis I – –
Step II: Observed Frequency Table of Respondents – –
Step V: Calculated Chi-square Test of Hypothesis II – –
Step II: Observed Frequency Table of Respondents – –
Step V: Calculated Chi-square Test of Hypothesis III – –
ABSTRACT
This research was carried out to investigate Impact of Household Pest Infestation on Health in Essien Udim Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. The objectives were: to identify pest infesting households in Essien Udim; to examine their impacts on health; and to determine methods of controlling their infestation. To guide this study, three research questions and three hypotheses were formulated. Literatures were reviewed base on the objectives and were supported by the theoretical framework of Kurt Lewins behavioural theory.
Out of the total population of 40,274, a sample size of 200 was chosen using the stratified random sampling technique. Data were collected using the researcher’s structured questionnaire called “Impact of Household Pest Infestation on Health Questionnaire” (IHPIHQ). Simple percentage and chi-square statistical method were used for data analysis with reference to step by step testing of hypothesis.
The findings of the study reveal that Household Pest Infestation has a significant effect on Health. It was therefore concluded among others that the pest infesting households including anotheles mosquitoes, cullecine mosquitoes and cholera vibro significantly affect the health of people. The methods of controlling them were identified and also recommendations made. It was recommended among others that the environmental sanitation to wash off pest in order to remain healthy.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
Insects and other small creatures that are destructive to humans or crops are considered pests. Pests are any living thing, vector, or arthropod that causes harm to people or their environment or destroys property, according to Adesigbin’s definition from 2007. It might be considered a plant or animal harmful to people, especially people who work in agriculture or with cattle. Pest is a general term for things like weeds, plant infections, vermin, and insects.
THE IMPACTS OF HOUSEHOLD PEST INFESTATION ON HEALTH IN ESSIEN UDIM LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA
When an animal harms the ecosystem or spreads disease inside of human habitats, it may be considered a pest. Rats and fleas, which spread leptospirosis, Lassa fever, and other diseases, are examples of these species that act as human disease vectors. Mosquitoes can carry filariasis, typhus fever, yellow fever, and malaria, as well as ticks that spread lyme disease or typhus fever (Adesigbin, 2007).
Household pets are those pests found on the human body or those found within human habitations that are capable of causing diseases and damage to property such as bed bugs, fleas, lice, houseflies, cockroaches, mosquitoes, rats as their classical examples (Abodunrin, 2005).
Pests are present everywhere in our environment, including the air, the ground beneath our feet, and fresh or brackish water (salt water). Pests can change to fit in with human environments. They compete well with other parasite species because they either dwell in or on plants and animals. By destroying significant amounts of agriculture products and dispersing diseases to humans and animals, pests complicate the availability of food for everyone (Oreyomi, 2005).
THE IMPACTS OF HOUSEHOLD PEST INFESTATION ON HEALTH IN ESSIEN UDIM LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA
Studies carried out in the Essien Udim Local Government Area have shown that household pests contribute to the spread of diseases like cholera, dysentery, typhoid fever, Lassa fever, and relapsing fever by contaminating food with their feces or urine or by coming into contact with disease-causing organisms and carrying those organisms on their bodies.
Adesigbin (2007) described household pests as those that harm furniture, books, clothes, and other items used in the home.
Household pest infestation is becoming increasingly noticed in Essien Udim due to the standard of personal and environment hygiene, poor housekeeping, low socio-economic standard of living among the hygiene especially in the remote parts of the Local Government Council hence the need for the study.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Authors have discovered that a greater infestation of home pests is to blame for the rising prevalence of infectious diseases like cholera, dysentery, Lassa fever, and rat-bite fever. The mass media has reported on the accompanying negative environmental effects, such as fire outbreaks caused by house rodents nibbling on electrical cables.
A 27% increase in the number of patients admitted for cases of cholera, Lassa fever, relapsing fevers, dysentery, malaria, typhoid fever, and other illnesses like rashes and skin eruptions is also shown by data acquired from health centers and other medical institutions in the research region. Infestation of domestic pests is blamed for many illnesses and disorders.
The researcher was therefore prompted to carry out the study so as to identify the pests infesting households in Essien Udim L.G.A. together with their health and economic implications and the methods to be used in checking their proliferation.
1.3 Purpose of the Study
The purpose of the study is to investigate the effect of household pests on health in Essien Udim Local Government Area.
1.4 Significance of the Study
This study would be of immense benefit to a number of people, organizations, and government in the study area.
To the researcher, it will broaden her professional knowledge regarding household pests infestation, their impacts on health and the control measures. Organization which may also like to establish pest control outfits will also see the findings of the study useful.
The residents of the study area will be able to identify through this study the household pests infesting their premises, the impact of their infestation and the measures to be adopted to check their proliferation.
To other students and professionals who might be interested in and decide to venture into the study will find a useful reference material. The local authority of the study area will be enticed by findings of this study and improve on her commitment in curbing the menace of household pests infestation.
THE IMPACTS OF HOUSEHOLD PEST INFESTATION ON HEALTH IN ESSIEN UDIM LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA
1.5 Justification for the Study
The study is justified based on the increasing cases of ill-health which perhaps may be attributed to household pests infestation. The economic implication manifesting in the destruction of upholsteries and other household property and high cost of medical care occasioned by the treatment of those diseases which are pest related justify the study.
Moreover, the available research on the topic in the study areas is grossly inadequate and similar study conducted in the area was limited to only a single clan. The researcher intended to broaden the scope of this study to cover the entire Local Government Area, thus complementing the available literature on the research topic in the study area hence, the justification for the study.
1.6 Broad Objective
The broad objective of the study is to investigate the impact of household pest infestation on health in Essien Udim Local Government Area.
1.7 Specific Objectives
- To identify the diseases associated with household pests infestation in Essien Udim Local Government Area.
- To identify household pests in Essien Udim Local Government Area
- To determine the control measures of household pests.
1.8 Research Questions
- What are the household pests infesting houses in Essien Udim Local Government Area?
- What are the diseases transmitted by them?
- How can the pests infestation be controlled?
1.9 Research Hypotheses
Hypothesis One
Ho: There is no significant relationship between household pests infestation and human health.
Ha: There is a significant relationship between household pests infestation and human health.
Hypothesis Two
Ho: There is no significant relationship between household pests and disease transmission.
Ha: There is a significant relationship between household pests and disease transmission.
Hypothesis Three
Ho: There is no significant relationship between control measures and household pests’ infestation.
Ha: There is a significant relationship between control measures and household pests infestation.
THE IMPACTS OF HOUSEHOLD PEST INFESTATION ON HEALTH IN ESSIEN UDIM LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA
1.10 Operational Definition of Terms
Pest: A pest is any troublesome or destructive thing, animal, plant any person who is a nuisance and whose action or presence affects the health of man, animal or plant.
Household Pests: These are pests found within human habitation or those found in close proximity to human dwellings.
Health: Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
Vector: A vector is any arthropod or animal which carries and transmits infectious pathogens directly or indirectly from an infected animal to human or from an infected human to another human.
Disease: Disease is defined as a condition in which body health is impaired, a departure from a state of health, an alteration of the human body interrupting the performance of vital functions.
THE IMPACTS OF HOUSEHOLD PEST INFESTATION ON HEALTH IN ESSIEN UDIM LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA
