a Medical Research Council of South Africa, Environment and Health Research Unit , Johannesburg , South Africa .
Int J Environ Health Res. 2013 Dec;23(6):474-83. doi: 10.1080/09603123.2012.755156. Epub 2013 Jan 21.
Rodents are troublesome urban pests, with potentially serious health implications. Preventive efforts require greater understanding of social contexts in which they are prevalent. This study aimed to determine rodent prevalence and identify factors associated with rodent infestations in urban residential settings.
The Health, Environment and Development study is a longitudinal panel study conducted in five settlements across Johannesburg. Data on socio-economic status, domestic behaviour and housing quality are collected annually. Logistic regression revealed risk factors for rodent prevalence at household level.
Rodents are a major household problem in all study areas (prevalence 54%). Factors associated with increased prevalence of rats included lower income, living in informal areas, overcrowding, cracks in dwelling walls and internal damp.
Socio-economic status, housing quality, domestic behaviour and environmental health services are associated with exposure to rodents in urban Johannesburg communities. This information served as a platform to launch rodent awareness campaigns at study sites.
啮齿动物是城市中令人讨厌的害虫，可能对健康有严重影响。预防工作需要更好地了解它们普遍存在的社会环境。本研究旨在确定城市住宅环境中啮齿动物的流行情况，并确定与之相关的因素。
健康、环境和发展研究是在约翰内斯堡五个住区进行的一项纵向面板研究。每年收集社会经济地位、家庭行为和住房质量方面的数据。逻辑回归揭示了家庭层面啮齿动物流行的危险因素。
啮齿动物是所有研究地区的一个主要家庭问题（流行率为 54%）。与鼠类流行率增加相关的因素包括收入较低、居住在非正式地区、过度拥挤、住房墙壁裂缝和内部潮湿。
在约翰内斯堡社区，社会经济地位、住房质量、家庭行为和环境卫生服务与接触啮齿动物有关。这些信息为在研究地点开展啮齿动物意识运动提供了平台。
