Life style of people and surveillance of management related to cockroaches in Southern Punjab, Pakistan

Authors : Afifa NAEEM, Waqar JALEEL, Qamar SAEED, Syed Muhammad ZAKA, Shafqat SAEED, Muhammad Nadir NAQQASH, Marryam BAKHTAWAR, Waleed Bin AYUB

Pages : 227-233

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Publication Date : 2014-07-26

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Cockroaches are the major household pests which prefer humid areas for habitation i.e. bathrooms, kitchens, sewerage systems etc., where warmth, moisture and food are satisfactory. Cockroaches are responsible for transmitting microorganisms like pathogenic bacteria, virus and fungi. Some examples of common bacterial diseases of human beings transmitted by cockroaches are Pasteurellapestisand bubonic plague; Shigellaalkalescensand dysentery; Staphylococcus aureusand boils and abscesses; Shigellaparadysenteriaeand diarrhea in children. A questionnaire was designed to collect the information from the people of different occupations viz., students, property-owners, house owners/housewives and farmers. In interviews, questions related to basic information as well as control measures regarding the cockroaches were asked. To collect information related to cockroach different cities of Punjab, Pakistan were visited. Data indicated that 80% people were not aware of type of diseases transmitted by cockroaches. Information related for control of cockroaches revealed that according to the opinion of 79% interviewee cleaning or sanitation gave better control. For the best source of delivering information related to cockroaches, 52% people said television was the best source. In the light of the survey, it was concluded that there wasan urgent need of provision of proper guidance regarding cockroaches and diseases associated with them to the community for better management of cockroaches.
Keywords : Cockroaches, control measures, community and surveillance