Project – Household Pest-Control Practices and Their Potential Health Implications: A Study of Selected Residential Areas in Ikorodu, Lagos State

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study

Household pests such as mosquitoes, cockroaches, houseflies, ants, termites, bedbugs and rodents are common environmental health concerns in residential settings. These pests may cause nuisance, contaminate food and household surfaces, damage property and, in the case of disease vectors, contribute to the transmission of infectious diseases. Consequently, households commonly adopt different pest-control measures to protect their living environments. Such measures include the use of aerosol insecticides, mosquito coils, insecticide-treated materials, powders, baits, repellents, traps and other chemical or non-chemical methods. The World Health Organization (WHO, 2020) recognizes household pesticides as products used by members of the general public in and around homes to control insects, rodents and other pests. The organization further emphasizes that the risks associated with household pesticides should not be underestimated because improper use, storage and disposal can result in human and environmental exposure. Thus, household pest control is an important public health issue requiring attention not only to the effectiveness of pest elimination but also to the safety of residents who use these products.

Household pest-control practices vary according to the type of pest, availability of products, household income, environmental conditions, cultural practices and residents’ knowledge of pest management. Chemical methods are particularly common because they are relatively accessible and provide rapid results. Aerosol sprays, mosquito coils, vaporizers and other insecticide formulations are frequently used against mosquitoes and other insects, while rodenticides and baits may be used to control rats and mice. In Lagos State, a study by Akinwale et al. (2021) found that insecticide aerosols and insecticide-treated nets were among the major methods used by residents for mosquito control, while 32.4% of respondents reported indoor use of dichlorvos (DDVP). The study also found that cost, convenience and awareness influenced the pest-control methods adopted by households. These findings demonstrate that chemical pest-control practices are relevant to residential health in Lagos and that residents’ choices may be influenced by practical considerations as well as knowledge of health risks.

Although household pesticides can provide important benefits by controlling insects and other pests, their use may expose residents to potentially harmful chemicals when products are used incorrectly or excessively. Exposure can occur through inhalation of sprays or vapours, skin contact, accidental ingestion and contact with contaminated household surfaces or dust. WHO (2020) notes that pesticides are inherently capable of producing toxic effects and that people who handle or apply them may face greater exposure when appropriate precautions are not followed. Similarly, Saillenfait et al. (2015) reported that pyrethroids are widely used in residential environments and that non-occupational exposure may occur through ingestion of residues in food, contact with contaminated house dust and surface particles, and domestic application of insecticides. Acute exposure to some pyrethroids has been associated with symptoms such as skin and eye irritation, respiratory irritation and abnormal skin sensations, although evidence concerning some long-term low-level effects remains limited or controversial.

The potential health implications of household pest-control practices are particularly important for children and other vulnerable household members because exposure may occur within the home environment where people spend considerable amounts of time. Pesticide residues may remain on surfaces, in household dust or in indoor air following application, creating opportunities for exposure after the initial pest-control activity. Roberts and Karr (2012) and other environmental-health researchers have emphasized the importance of reducing children’s exposure to toxic chemicals in domestic environments, while systematic reviews have reported associations between pesticide exposure and respiratory or allergic outcomes in children. Buralli et al. (2020), in a systematic review of studies on pesticide exposure and children’s respiratory and allergic health, reported that most of the reviewed investigations found positive associations between pesticide exposure and respiratory or allergic outcomes, including wheezing, cough, asthma, rhinitis and other respiratory conditions. However, the authors also noted differences in study designs and exposure measures and called for additional research, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.

The health implications of residential pesticide exposure also depend on the type of chemical used, frequency of application, quantity applied, method of application, ventilation of the home and behaviour of household members following application. Indoor spraying in poorly ventilated rooms may increase inhalation exposure, while inappropriate storage may expose children to pesticide products through accidental ingestion or direct contact. WHO (2018) emphasizes that risk assessments for indoor insecticide applications should consider people who prepare and apply insecticides, residents living in treated houses and other individuals who may be exposed. WHO (2020) similarly recommends appropriate pesticide management, including understanding product labels, correct application, safe storage and proper disposal. Therefore, examining household pest-control practices requires attention not simply to whether pesticides are used, but also to how, where, when and by whom they are applied.

The issue is particularly relevant in Lagos State because residential communities experience conditions that may encourage the presence of mosquitoes, cockroaches, rodents and other household pests. Population density, inadequate waste disposal, stagnant water, drainage problems and other environmental conditions can create habitats that support pests and vectors. Research conducted in Lagos State by Akinwale et al. (2021) showed that residents employ multiple mosquito-control strategies and that insecticide aerosols are an important method of household mosquito control. The study further identified the use of DDVP indoors by a substantial proportion of respondents and noted that some users may rely on chemical methods despite the potential health and vector-control concerns associated with inappropriate insecticide use. In addition, WHO’s documentation of insecticide-resistance research in Ikorodu District demonstrates the relevance of insecticide use and vector-control practices to the local environmental context.

Ikorodu is a rapidly developing part of Lagos State with a mixture of densely populated residential areas, developing communities and peri-urban settlements. The occurrence of household pests within such environments may encourage residents to adopt a range of pest-control practices, including chemical spraying, mosquito coils, repellents, baits and other methods. However, the potential health implications of these practices may depend on residents’ level of knowledge, adherence to product instructions, frequency of application, use of protective measures, storage practices and disposal methods. WHO (2020) recommends reducing pesticide use where possible, considering non-chemical alternatives and ensuring that pesticides are used according to manufacturers’ instructions when chemical control is necessary. Similarly, WHO (2020) guidelines on personal protection emphasize measures intended to reduce pesticide exposure during handling and application. Therefore, investigating household pest-control practices in selected residential areas of Ikorodu can provide useful evidence concerning the methods residents employ, their safety practices and the potential health concerns associated with household pesticide exposure.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Household pests constitute a persistent environmental health problem in many residential communities, leading households to adopt various methods of pest control. Although pest-control products can help reduce exposure to mosquitoes, cockroaches, rodents and other unwanted organisms, inappropriate use of chemical pesticides may create additional health risks. WHO (2020) warns that incorrect use, improper storage and inappropriate disposal of household pesticides can result in poisoning and other exposure incidents. The problem is therefore not simply the presence of pests but the possibility that attempts to control them may expose household members to hazardous substances. This creates a public health concern where residents use pesticides without adequate knowledge of their contents, correct dosage, application procedures, protective measures or potential risks.

Another concern is that household pesticide exposure can occur through several pathways and may affect people who are not directly responsible for applying the products. Residents may inhale pesticide vapours, come into contact with treated surfaces or contaminated dust, or inadvertently ingest residues. Children may be particularly exposed because of their behaviour and frequent contact with household floors, surfaces and objects. Saillenfait et al. (2015) noted that domestic use of pyrethroids can result in non-occupational exposure through contaminated dust and surfaces, while Buralli et al. (2020) found evidence linking pesticide exposure with several respiratory and allergic outcomes among children, although the strength of evidence varied across studies. These findings raise concerns about the consequences of repeated or inappropriate household pesticide use, particularly where ventilation, protective practices and post-application precautions are inadequate.

The problem is also relevant to Lagos State, where residents commonly use chemical products to control mosquitoes and other household pests. Akinwale et al. (2021) reported that insecticide aerosols were among the major mosquito-control methods used by respondents in Lagos State and that 32.4% reported indoor use of dichlorvos (DDVP). The authors noted concerns regarding indiscriminate use of DDVP, including its implications for human health and insecticide resistance. This is important because the convenience and availability of household insecticides may encourage repeated use without adequate consideration of exposure risks. In addition, WHO research has documented insecticide-resistance concerns in Ikorodu District, indicating that insecticide use and vector-control practices are relevant to the local setting.

Despite the widespread use of household pest-control products, there is a need for more localized evidence concerning the specific practices adopted by residents and their potential health implications in selected residential areas of Ikorodu, Lagos State. It is important to establish the types of pest-control methods commonly used, the frequency and manner of application, residents’ knowledge of possible health effects, the safety precautions adopted during and after application, and the common health complaints that residents associate with pest-control activities. WHO (2020) emphasizes that effective management of household pesticides requires public education, proper handling, safe storage and disposal, while WHO (2018) recommends systematic consideration of exposure among residents of treated houses. Therefore, this study seeks to examine household pest-control practices and their potential health implications among residents of selected residential areas in Ikorodu, Lagos State.

1.3 Purpose of the Study

The main purpose of this study is to examine household pest-control practices and their potential health implications among residents of selected residential areas in Ikorodu, Lagos State.

Specifically, the study seeks to:

1. identify the common pest-control practices adopted by households in selected residential areas of Ikorodu, Lagos State;
2. assess the level of knowledge of residents regarding the potential health implications of household pest-control practices;
3. examine the safety practices adopted by residents during the use, storage and disposal of household pest-control products; and
4. determine the common health symptoms or health concerns potentially associated with household pest-control practices among residents of the selected residential areas.

1.4 Research Questions

The following research questions will guide the study:

1. What are the common pest-control practices adopted by households in selected residential areas of Ikorodu, Lagos State?
2. What is the level of knowledge of residents regarding the potential health implications of household pest-control practices?
3. What safety practices do residents adopt during the use, storage and disposal of household pest-control products?
4. What health symptoms or health concerns are potentially associated with household pest-control practices among residents of the selected residential areas?

1.5 Research Hypothesis

The following null hypothesis will be tested at the 0.05 level of significance:

H₀: There is no significant relationship between household pest-control practices and potential health implications among residents of selected residential areas in Ikorodu, Lagos State.

1.6 Significance of the Study

The study will be significant to residents of the selected residential areas because it will increase awareness of the potential health implications associated with household pest-control practices. The findings may help residents understand the importance of reading and following product instructions, ensuring adequate ventilation, avoiding unnecessary exposure and keeping pesticides away from children and food.

The study will also be useful to community health workers and public health practitioners. The findings may provide information that can be used in health education programmes concerning safe household pest management. Community health workers may use the findings to educate residents about appropriate pesticide handling, non-chemical pest-control alternatives and measures for reducing unnecessary exposure.

Environmental health officers and local government authorities may benefit from the findings because the study may identify unsafe practices requiring community intervention. The findings may support public awareness campaigns on household pesticide management, safe storage, appropriate disposal and responsible use of pest-control products.

The study will also be relevant to policy makers and agencies concerned with pesticide regulation and environmental health. Evidence concerning the products and practices commonly used by households may contribute to discussions about consumer education, pesticide regulation and community-level risk reduction.

Finally, the study will contribute to the body of academic literature on household pest management and environmental health in Nigeria. It may serve as reference material for students and researchers conducting further studies on pesticide exposure, household environmental health, pest-control practices and associated health outcomes.

1.7 Scope of the Study

The study will focus on household pest-control practices and their potential health implications among residents of selected residential areas in Ikorodu, Lagos State.

The study will examine common methods used to control household pests, including aerosol insecticides, mosquito coils, repellents, insecticide-treated materials, powders, baits, traps and other chemical or non-chemical methods. It will also consider the frequency of pest-control activities, application practices, storage and disposal practices, use of protective measures, residents’ knowledge of potential risks and reported health symptoms or concerns associated with pest-control activities.

The geographical scope of the study will be limited to selected residential areas within Ikorodu, Lagos State. The study will involve eligible adult residents of the selected areas according to the inclusion criteria established in the research methodology.

1.8 Operational Definition of Terms

Household: A person or group of persons living together in a residential unit and sharing common domestic arrangements.

Household Pest: Any unwanted organism commonly found in or around residential premises that may cause nuisance, damage, contamination or health risks, including mosquitoes, cockroaches, flies, rodents, ants and termites.

Pest-Control Practices: The methods and activities used by households to prevent, repel, reduce or eliminate unwanted pests from residential environments.

Household Pesticide: A chemical product intended for use in or around the home to control pests such as insects, rodents and other unwanted organisms.

Chemical Pest Control: The use of chemical substances such as insecticide sprays, powders, coils, repellents, baits or rodenticides to control household pests.

Non-Chemical Pest Control: Methods of controlling pests without the direct use of chemical pesticides, including traps, environmental sanitation, screening, removal of breeding sites and other physical or environmental measures.

Health Implications: Possible adverse or beneficial effects on human health associated with household pest-control practices, including symptoms such as skin irritation, eye irritation, headaches, respiratory irritation, dizziness or other health concerns potentially related to exposure.

Pesticide Exposure: Contact with pesticides through inhalation, ingestion, skin contact or contact with contaminated household surfaces, dust, food or other materials.

Safety Practices: Measures adopted by household members to reduce pesticide exposure, including following product instructions, using protective equipment where appropriate, ventilating rooms, keeping pesticides away from children and food, and disposing of pesticide containers safely.

Selected Residential Areas: Residential communities within Ikorodu, Lagos State, specifically chosen as the geographical locations for the study.

Project – Household Pest-Control Practices and Their Potential Health Implications: A Study of Selected Residential Areas in Ikorodu, Lagos State