Identification, Knowledge, and Awareness of People Regarding Public Health Nuisance Insect (Cimex lectularius) in Southwest of Iran

Abstract

Background: Cimex lectularius belongs to the family of Cimicidae and its infestation to the man is a public health problem. Recently, bed bug infestation increased world-wide. Psychological distress is one of the bed bug infestations. Regarding its biting, awareness and knowledge are the keys to reduce bed bug prevalence in the society. Objectives: The current study aimed at evaluating of this investigation was to evaluate awareness, and knowledge of residents toward the bed bug in southwest Southwest of Iran. Methods: The current descriptive cross sectional study was conducted on Ahvaz residents, from June to July 2016. The questionnaire consisted of demographic characteristics, identification, knowledge about the bed bug, and awareness related to the prevention and control of the insect completed by 180 participants. Collected data were analyzed with SPSS version 16. Results: A total of 180 participants were divided into three groups that responded to the questions. The findings showed that the percentage of correctly identify the bed bug in a vial, in three groups of respondents in Ahvaz city, people, medical and pharmacy students and health workers were 13%, 25%, and 72%, respectively. The results showed that 55% of participants were male. A few of the respondents were illiterate and most of them were in the age range of 20 -29 years approximately, 13%, 25%, and 72% of the residents, university students and health staff knew the bed bug, respectively. Totally, 72% of health workers and 33% of students had good knowledge about the prevention of the insect, respectively. The results revealed that 92% of health workers were very concerned about bed bug infestation. The habitat of C. lectularius was recognized by 78% of health staff, while 23% of people did not know the pest. Conclusions: Scarce knowledge of people on nuisance insect, C. lectularius, is one of the critical causes of high infestation in Ahvaz.

Effects of Resident Education and Self-Implementation of Integrated Pest Management Strategy for Eliminating Bed Bug Infestation in Ahvaz City, Southwestern Iran

“…The bed bugs (Cimex lectularius and C. hemipterus) as blood-sucking insects have become a serious pest and public health problem in urban communities throughout the world. They affected human health through blood feeding that can lead to pain, itching, secondary infections, loss of sleep, psychological distress and other allergic responses to humans (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8).…”

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Bed Bug Infestation (Cimex lectularius) as a Public Health Insect in Iran (1995 – 2019)

“…The common bed bug (Cimex lectularius) is a small hematophagous and wingless insect of the order of Hemiptera and the Cimex genus. This insect is mainly nocturnal and feeds specifically on humans (1,2). The bed bug's lifetime varies between 6 to 12 months according to different climates and conditions (3,4).…”

“…The reason for the increase in the common bed bug infestation can be attributed to several factors, some of which are as follows: an increase in the international travels, pesticide resistance as well as the lack of people's general knowledge in control and prevention (9)(10)(11). The early recognition of bed bug due to higher knowledge and awareness can help to control this annoying insect (2).…”

“…humans (2). The common bed bug causes undesirable effects such as insomnia, anxiety, depression, and also allergic symptoms (12).…”

The social impacts of bedbug infestation as an emerging public health issue: a case report

“…Bedbug infestation can produce psychological distress including nightmares, insomnia, stress, anxiety, avoidance behaviors, anemia, paranoia and personal dysfunction (7). Furthermore, physical and mental health consequences can be common among individuals living with bedbug infestation (8).…”