Fung Eddy Hin Chung, Chiu Siu Wai, Lam Hon-Ming, Chung Roger Yat-Nork, Wong Samuel Yeung Shan, Chan Siu Ming, Dong Dong, Wong Hung
JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
Faculty of Law, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
Insects. 2021 Nov 14;12(11):1027. doi: 10.3390/insects12111027.
Bedbugs ( spp.) are a nuisance public-health pest that is on the rise globally, particularly in crowded cities such as Hong Kong. To investigate the health impacts of bedbug infestations among bedbug victims, online surveys were distributed in Hong Kong between June 2019 to July 2020. Data on sociodemographics, self-rated health, average hours of sleep per day, and details of bedbug infestation were collected. Bivariate and multivariable analysis were performed using logistic regression. The survey identified 422 bedbug victims; among them, 223 (52.9%) experienced ≥five bites in the past month; most bites occurred on the arms ( = 202, 47.8%) and legs ( = 215, 51%), and the most common reaction to bites were itchiness ( = 322, 76.3%), redness, and swelling of the skin ( = 246, 58.1%), and difficulties sleeping or restlessness ( = 125, 29.6%). Bites usually occurred during sleep ( = 230, 54.5%). For impact on daily life in the past month, most bedbug victims reported moderate to severe impact on mental and emotional health ( = 223, 52.8%) and sleeping quality ( = 239, 56.6%). Lower self-rated health (aOR < 1) was independently associated with impact on physical appearance ( = 0.008), spending money on medication or doctor consultation ( = 0.04), number of bites in the past month ( = 0.023), and irregular time of bites ( = 0.003). Lower average hours of sleep per day (aOR < 1) was independently associated with impact on mental and emotional health ( = 0.016). This study brings attention to the neglected issue of bedbug infestation by considering bedbugs as an infectious agent instead of a vector and providing empirical evidence describing its health impacts.
臭虫（属）是一种令人讨厌的公共卫生害虫，在全球范围内呈上升趋势，尤其是在香港等拥挤的城市。为了调查臭虫侵扰对臭虫受害者健康的影响，于2019年6月至2020年7月在香港开展了在线调查。收集了社会人口统计学数据、自我评定的健康状况、每天的平均睡眠时间以及臭虫侵扰的详细情况。使用逻辑回归进行双变量和多变量分析。该调查确定了422名臭虫受害者；其中，223人（52.9%）在过去一个月内遭受了≥5次叮咬；大多数叮咬发生在手臂（n = 202，47.8%）和腿部（n = 215，51%），对叮咬最常见的反应是瘙痒（n = 322，76.3%）、皮肤发红和肿胀（n = 246，58.1%）以及睡眠困难或烦躁不安（n = 125，29.6%）。叮咬通常发生在睡眠期间（n = 230，54.5%）。对于过去一个月对日常生活的影响，大多数臭虫受害者报告对心理和情绪健康（n = 223，52.8%）以及睡眠质量（n = 239，56.6%）有中度至重度影响。较低的自我评定健康状况（调整后比值比<1）与对身体外观的影响（P = 0.008）、在药物治疗或看医生方面的支出（P = 0.04）、过去一个月的叮咬次数（P = 0.023）以及叮咬时间不规律（P = 0.003）独立相关。每天较低的平均睡眠时间（调整后比值比<1）与对心理和情绪健康的影响独立相关（P = 0.016）。本研究通过将臭虫视为传染源而非病媒，并提供描述其健康影响的实证证据，使人们关注到被忽视的臭虫侵扰问题。
