Association of Housing Disrepair Indicators with Cockroach and Rodent Infestations in a Cohort of Pregnant Latina Women and Their Children

Abstract

Health burdens associated with poor housing and indoor pest infestations are likely to affect young children in particular, who spend most of their time indoors at home. We completed environmental assessments in 644 homes of pregnant Latina women and their children living in the Salinas Valley, California. High residential densities were common, with 39% of homes housing > 1.5 persons per room. Housing disrepair was also common: 58% of homes had peeling paint, 43% had mold, 25% had water damage, and 11% had rotting wood. Evidence of cockroaches and rodents was present in 60% and 32% of homes, respectively. Compared with representative national survey data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, homes in our sample were more likely to have rodents, peeling paint, leaks under sinks, and much higher residential densities. The odds of rodent infestations in homes increased in the presence of peeling paint [odds ratio (OR) 2.1; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.5–3.1], water damage (OR 1.9; 95% CI, 1.2–2.7), and mold (OR 1.5; 95% CI, 1.0–2.1). The odds of cockroach infestation increased in the presence of peeling paint (OR 3.8; 95% CI, 2.7–5.6), water damage (OR 1.9; 95% CI, 1.2–2.9), or high residential density (OR 2.1; 95% CI, 1.2–3.8). Homes that were less clean than average were more prone to both types of infestations. Pesticides were stored or used in 51% of households, partly to control roach and rodent infestations. These data indicate that adverse housing conditions are common in this community and increase the likelihood of pest infestations and home pesticide use. Interventions to improve housing and promote children’s health and safety in this population are needed.

Are Building-Level Characteristics Associated with Indoor Allergens in the Household?

“…However, the relationship between building size and mouse allergen turns out to be a complex association. While our results indicated that living in a multistory building is associated with a decrease in the existence of mouse allergen, Chew et al and Cohn et al suggested that higher levels of mouse allergen were associated with living in multistory buildings, low-rise buildings (G8 floors) 9 and high-rise apartments (≥5 floors), 10 62 In addition, we might hypothesize that other neighborhood-level factors, such as proximity to restaurants or grocery stores, or large-scale urban planning projects, could influence the amount of infestation. Area-level predictors may be an especially interesting characteristic to explore in terms of mouse allergen; such that an issue like housing dilapidation at the neighborhood-level could play an important role in explaining this phenomenon.…”

“…5,10,24,51,[53][54][55][56][57] Likewise, recent literature has highlighted the relationship between asthma morbidity and building types such as public housing; 54,58 mixed-use buildings, i.e., property containing both residential and commercial space; [59][60][61] and building size. [9][10][11]62,63 Lastly, indoor allergens and asthma morbidity have also been linked to building conditions; in particular older buildings and building violations in or near the residential building have been associated. 8,10,48,49,51,52 However, little explicit examination by building type and condition has occurred, especially in the USA.…”

Rodent Allergen in Los Angeles Inner City Homes of Children with Asthma

“…The associations that we observed in this study are generally consistent with results from previous studies. 13,18,19 Using a vacuum to clean has been associated with reduced mouse allergen compared with mopping the floor.…”

“…13 However, detached housing was more likely to be associated with rodent infestation in another study of homes of immigrant Latinas in Northern California. 18 The investigators in that study speculated that detached houses may offer many points of entry to rodents on the ground level and therefore it may be easier for mice to enter detached homes than to gain access to multilevel dwellings in California. Another possible explanation for our results is that because of the mild climate, detached houses may be less well sealed than multilevel units in Los Angeles, making it easier for mice to enter.…”

“…Conditions that may indicate underlying housing disrepair, such as mold (which was strongly but not significantly associated with detectable allergen and rodent sighting), have previously been associated with increased allergen and with greater asthma morbidity 18,20 as well as with pest infestation. Having unwashed dishes, and having crumbs on the floors because of lack of a working vacuum cleaner may provide access to food and water that could attract rodents, but which are potentially amenable to intervention at modest cost.…”