1. Don’t Let the Bed Bugs Bite
Cameron Navarro, MSW Student, Texas Christian University
Dr. Nada Elias-Lambert, Assistant Professor, Texas Christian University
Dr. Emily Spence-Almaguer, Associate Professor, UNT Health Science Center
Background
Bed bugs affect all
Do not discriminate on basis of cleanliness or poverty
Vulnerable populations are at greater risk of bed bug infestation
Limited access to resources
Crowded, high-turnover residences
Tenants responsible for expensive treatments and lose most belongings
Undetermined if bed bugs transmit diseases
Social stigma
Psychological effects
Methods
Articles featuring community responses to bed bug infestations
Studies regarding vulnerable populations, including homeless or low-income communities
Research located in US and Canada, highly populated urban areas
Information published within the last seven years
Both qualitative and quantitative data
Results
General Education
Education helps combat bed bug myths and misinformation
Increases awareness
Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
Education, monitoring, sanitization, and treatment
Community Collaboration
Working together with all stakeholders
Changing behaviors
Implications
No easy or direct solution
Best option is Community IPM
Implementation of IPM with entire community
All stakeholders need to be involved
Distribution of resources and responsibilities
Relieves some burden from vulnerable populations
Recommendations
Continue work of Federal Bed Bug Workgroup
Collaboration of federal agencies
Disseminate current education materials to all communities
Further research
Disease transmission
Effective non-toxic pesticides
Core Concepts
Stakeholders
Housing authorities
Shelters
Agencies serving vulnerable populations
Vulnerable Populations
Elderly
Homeless
Low-income
Mental illness
Addiction
Community Education
Collaborative, evidence-based
Easily accessible publications
Disseminate to all community members
Integrative Pest Management
Purpose
The aim of this literature review is to determine the most effective community response to bed bug infestations, particularly among low-income residents
Federal Bed Bug Workgroup
Limitations
Lack of Research
Little is known about bed bugs
Less is known about how to treat infestations
No Centralized Tracking System
Limited data to understand realistic scope of problem
References
Aultman, J. M. (2013). Don't let the bedbugs bite: The cimicidae debacle and the denial of healthcare and social justice. Medicine, Health Care, and Philosophy, 16(3), doi: /s x
Eddy, C., & Jones, S. C. (2011). Bed bugs, public health, and social justice: Part 1, a call to action. Journal of Environmental Health, 73(8), 8.
Eddy, C., & Jones, S. C. (2011). Bed bugs, public health, and social justice: Part 2, an opinion survey. Journal of Environmental Health, 73(8), 15.
Hwang, S. W., Svoboda, T. J., De Jong, L. J., Kabasele, K. J., & Gogosis, E. (2005). Bed bug infestations in an urban environment. Emerging Infectious Diseases, 11(4), 533.
Ratnapradipa, D., Ritzel, D. O., Haramis, L. D., & Bliss, K. R. (2011). Bed bug epidemic: A challenge to public health. American Journal of Health Education, 42(4), 245.
Rossi, L., & Jennings, S. (2010). Bed bugs: A public health problem in need of a collaborative solution. Journal of Environmental Health, 72(8), 35.
Shum, M., Comack, E., Stuart, D. T., Ayre, R., Perron, S., Beaudet, S. A., & Kosatsky, T. (2012). Bed bugs and public health: New approaches for an old scourge. Canadian Journal of Public Health, 103(6), 399.
Winegar, R. D., Rick, S., & Johnson, A. (2013). Bed bugs and beyond: A call to action for advanced practice registered nurses. Journal for Nurse Practitioners, 9(8), doi:
Zipple, A. M., Batscha, C. L., Flaherty, P., & Reynolds, J. L. (2012). Don't get bugged: Practical strategies for managing bedbug infestation in psychiatric rehabilitation programs. Journal of Psychosocial Nursing & Mental Health Services, 50(7), 22. doi:
National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC) experienced a steady increase in calls asking about bed bugs from 2003 to 2014.