The Perception of the Public Health Issues Connected with the Presence of Blatta orientalis and Blattella germanica in the Urban Areas of Tirana
Vinela Refugjati1*, Dr. Bizena Bijo2, Endri Haxhiraj3,
1Grifin, Pest Control, Tirana, Albania
2Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Agriculture University, Tirana, Albania
3Institute for Environmental Policy, Tirana, Albania
*Corresponding author e-mail: vinela@tirana.gen.al
Abstract
Blattella germanica and Blatta orientalis are insects which are among the most prevalent in urban areas of Tirana city. The aim of this survey was to evaluate the information of the public health issues resulting from the presence of these pests in urban environments. The survey was conducted in various parts of the capital city attended by 200 respondents. Interviewees were selected at random method older than 18 years of both sexes and included family members, employees of food industries and students. The data obtained showed that 98% of the interviewees’ people were able to identify insects as a result of their presence at work or residential settlement, 77% of the respondents considered as annoying insects. About 50% regarded as "dirty insects" implying the possibility of transmission of diseases and only 2% of the respondents claimed that the presence of Blatta orientalis and Blattella germanica in residential settlement or works places constitutes a health risk. The data obtained from our survey show that the level of information to residents of urban areas in Tirana is not at the appropriate levels compared with the presence of the majority of these insects in urban areas and suggests that we should work more on education and awareness of residents.
Int. J. Grad. Res. Rev. 1(1): 7-9
