Volume 12, Issue 1 (Spring- In press 2026)
J Health Res Commun 2026, 12(1): 0-0 |
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zafarzadeh A, arzamani K, mirkarimi S K. Cockroach Species Identification and Analysis of Knowledge-Practice Gaps among Food Facility Staff in Bojnord City, Northern Khorasan. J Health Res Commun 2026; 12 (1)
URL: http://jhc.mazums.ac.ir/article-1-1214-en.html
URL: http://jhc.mazums.ac.ir/article-1-1214-en.html
Environmental Health Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
Abstract: (23 Views)
Introduction& Purpose: A thorough understanding of species composition and infestation patterns, alongside assessment of food handlers’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP), is critical to developing effective pest management strategies. This study aimed to identify cockroach species distribution and evaluate KAP levels among food-service workers in Bojnord, Iran.
Methods: A cross-sectional (descriptive-analytical) study involved cluster sampling of 211 urban sites to determine cockroach species and infestation status. KAP levels were assessed through a researcher-developed questionnaire administered to 52 food handlers selected via proportional stratified sampling. Data analysis employed descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, Pearson correlation, linear regression, and chi-square tests using SPSS version 21, with significance set at 0.05.
Results: Among the 211 sites, 52 (24.5%) exhibited cockroach infestations, with the highest prevalence in food production facilities (53.8%). Blattella germanica was the predominant species (96.5%), while Periplaneta americana accounted for 3.5%. Knowledge scores ranged from moderate to high, and attitudes were generally positive, whereas practice scores were poor. Although attitudes (β=0.268, p=0.145) and knowledge (β=0.218, p=0.233) weakly predicted practices, these relationships were not statistically significant.
Conclusion: The substantial infestation rates, primarily driven by B. germanica, in Bojnord’s food-handling facilities highlight the need for intensified pest-control measures. The disconnect between adequate knowledge and attitudes and suboptimal practices emphasizes the necessity for targeted, practical training, improved environmental hygiene, and provision of proper control tools to achieve sustainable pest management.
Methods: A cross-sectional (descriptive-analytical) study involved cluster sampling of 211 urban sites to determine cockroach species and infestation status. KAP levels were assessed through a researcher-developed questionnaire administered to 52 food handlers selected via proportional stratified sampling. Data analysis employed descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, Pearson correlation, linear regression, and chi-square tests using SPSS version 21, with significance set at 0.05.
Results: Among the 211 sites, 52 (24.5%) exhibited cockroach infestations, with the highest prevalence in food production facilities (53.8%). Blattella germanica was the predominant species (96.5%), while Periplaneta americana accounted for 3.5%. Knowledge scores ranged from moderate to high, and attitudes were generally positive, whereas practice scores were poor. Although attitudes (β=0.268, p=0.145) and knowledge (β=0.218, p=0.233) weakly predicted practices, these relationships were not statistically significant.
Conclusion: The substantial infestation rates, primarily driven by B. germanica, in Bojnord’s food-handling facilities highlight the need for intensified pest-control measures. The disconnect between adequate knowledge and attitudes and suboptimal practices emphasizes the necessity for targeted, practical training, improved environmental hygiene, and provision of proper control tools to achieve sustainable pest management.
Type of Study: Research(Original) |
Subject:
Medical Entomology
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