Abstract
Abstract:Background
Rodent infestation is a public health challenge globally. Cities in high and low income countries have been ravaged by rodent infestation. The lack of basic services has exposed communities to health risks and rodent-borne diseases.
Objective
The study aimed at determining the rodent infestation in the five study sites within the City of Johannesburg namely: Bertrams; Braamfischerville; Hillbrow; Hospital Hill; and Riverlea with special focus on 2009 to 2010, seeing that previous articles have dealt with infestation of rodents from 2006 to 2008.
Methods
Secondary data extracted from Head, Environment, and Development (HEAD) study project was used to analyse and interpret the trend of rodent infestation over a period of five years. Sampling comprised of households from the afore-mentioned study sites. Data was collected by means of a structured questionnaire from members of households above the age of 18 years residing in the study sites. Data was analysed using STATA software version 13.
Results
The study indicated significant differences in rodent prevalence across the study sites. For instance, residents living in Hillbrow (high rise buildings) reported the lowest (17.4%) prevalence from 2009 to 2010 study period, while those living in Hospital Hill (informal settlement) reported the highest (79.7%) prevalence compared with other study sites during the same study period. However, overall there is a significant decrease in rodent infestation across the study sites except in Bertrams where an increase of 7.8% was reported.
Conclusion
Informal settlements are more exposed to rodent’s infestation than formal settlements due to lack of proper basic sanitation services e.g. waste management. Municipal departments such as Solid Waste and Public Works should work together with communities towards a sustainable resolution of rodent problem. Socio-economic and environmental variables such as type of dwelling, toilet facilities, absence of refuse containers and rodents’ access to water sources were noted as contributing factors of rodents infestation.