Abstract:
Globally, the two human biting bed bug species are Cimex lectularius and Cimex hemipterus. The former one is widely distributed in tropical and non-tropical countries, while the latter commonly called the tropical bed bug. These bed bugs are common public health pests, though declined in incidence due to the wide scale usage of pesticides. Their principal medical impacts are related to social and psychological effects on humans. The aim of this research was to determine the bed bug infestation in different households (HHs) and its impact on Long Lasting Insecticide treated Nets (LLINs) utilization in Kola Shara village. Three hundred thirty houses were selected randomly and supplied a new LLINs and Indoor Residual Spray (IRS) was implemented after two months of LLINs distribution. The selected houses were inspected on monthly base for five months from August to December 2017. About 94.5% (312/330) houses were infested by bed bugs. Houses that had no cracks, but infested by bed bugs were 55.8% (184/330). About 8.2% (27/330) respondent perceived LLINs as a cause for infestation of bed bugs and 27.3% (90/330) HHHs had heard how to prevent bed bugs. On average 89.4% (295/330) HHs, the bed bug infestation was observed in study participant houses, but in 87.7 % (228/260) bed bugs found on LLINs. Based on the roof type, the infestation rate was 92.0% (252/274) on the corrugated roof those had LLINs and 91% (249/274) of corrugated roof houses infested by bed bug even if IRS was sprayed. 92.9% (52/56) tukul houses with LLINs were infested by bed bugs. After IRS, bed bugs were collected from 94.6% (53/56) houses. On average, 21% (70/330) of LLINs were thrown out in each round due to bed bug infestation. As a result, bed bug may impose and contribute a lot on reduction of proper utilization of bed nets. Therefore, bed bug may hinder the use and acceptance of the main malaria intervention tool LLINs and IRS, thus as a consequence, it tackles the global malaria control and elimination plans. So proper bed bug control measures could be designed and implemented to reduce its impact on the LLINs utilization
