Household hygiene practices and perceived responsibility for vector control shape frequent rat and mosquito sightings in resource-constrained urban settings
1
Institute of Collective Health, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Brazil
2
Department of Disease Control, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A423
ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT:
Informal settlements (favelas) are widespread across Africa, Asia, and South America and are characterized by inadequate infrastructure, poor sanitation, and socioeconomic vulnerability^1. These conditions, combined with suboptimal household hygiene practices, promote rat and mosquito proliferation and increase the risk of arboviral and rodent-borne zoonotic disease transmission^2,3. However, evidence remains limited on how household hygiene behaviors and perceptions of responsibility for vector control influence exposure^4,5. This study evaluated the effects of backyard hygiene practices and perceived responsibility for pest control on the frequency of rat and mosquito sightings in favelas. This study was conducted nested to an larger ongoing eco-epidemiological research project in peri-urban communities with historically high transmission of leptospirosis and dengue in Salvador, Brazil^6. Between March and August 2025, a modified, previously validated semi-structured questionnaire was administered to 136 heads of household from four socio-environmentally similar favelas. Structured backyard inspections documented environmental conditions, including waste presence and backyard use. Ordinal regression analyses were performed using univariate and multivariable cumulative link models with a logit link function, with model selection guided by Akaike Information Criterion. Lower socioeconomic status and poor backyard hygiene were associated with frequent rat and mosquito sightings. Among participants earning ≤USD 190/month, 54.0% and 71.4% reported daily rat and mosquito sightings, respectively. Participation in hygiene promotion programs (OR=0.39; p=0.022) and perceiving pest control as the responsibility of the community (OR=0.26; p=0.009) or the municipal government (OR=0.34; p=0.031) were protective against frequent rat sightings. Conversely, unclean backyards (OR=3.59; p=0.004), backyard gardening (OR=3.12; p=0.010), and disposal of household waste in centralized community bins (OR=3.19; p=0.010) increased the odds of frequent mosquito sightings. Exposure to rats and mosquitoes in favelas is shaped by structural vulnerabilities and household behaviors. Integrated interventions combining improved sanitation, community-based education, and shared responsibility for pest control are essential to reduce exposure and improve public health.
Informal settlements (favelas) are widespread across Africa, Asia, and South America and are characterized by inadequate infrastructure, poor sanitation, and socioeconomic vulnerability^1. These conditions, combined with suboptimal household hygiene practices, promote rat and mosquito proliferation and increase the risk of arboviral and rodent-borne zoonotic disease transmission^2,3. However, evidence remains limited on how household hygiene behaviors and perceptions of responsibility for vector control influence exposure^4,5. This study evaluated the effects of backyard hygiene practices and perceived responsibility for pest control on the frequency of rat and mosquito sightings in favelas. This study was conducted nested to an larger ongoing eco-epidemiological research project in peri-urban communities with historically high transmission of leptospirosis and dengue in Salvador, Brazil^6. Between March and August 2025, a modified, previously validated semi-structured questionnaire was administered to 136 heads of household from four socio-environmentally similar favelas. Structured backyard inspections documented environmental conditions, including waste presence and backyard use. Ordinal regression analyses were performed using univariate and multivariable cumulative link models with a logit link function, with model selection guided by Akaike Information Criterion. Lower socioeconomic status and poor backyard hygiene were associated with frequent rat and mosquito sightings. Among participants earning ≤USD 190/month, 54.0% and 71.4% reported daily rat and mosquito sightings, respectively. Participation in hygiene promotion programs (OR=0.39; p=0.022) and perceiving pest control as the responsibility of the community (OR=0.26; p=0.009) or the municipal government (OR=0.34; p=0.031) were protective against frequent rat sightings. Conversely, unclean backyards (OR=3.59; p=0.004), backyard gardening (OR=3.12; p=0.010), and disposal of household waste in centralized community bins (OR=3.19; p=0.010) increased the odds of frequent mosquito sightings. Exposure to rats and mosquitoes in favelas is shaped by structural vulnerabilities and household behaviors. Integrated interventions combining improved sanitation, community-based education, and shared responsibility for pest control are essential to reduce exposure and improve public health.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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