Percepções e experiências dos residentes de comunidades empobrecidas de Salvador - BA sobre a infestação de roedores

Abstract

Daily exposure to rodent infestations leads to stress and concerns about health and well-being. In urban impoverished communities, these effects are often exacerbated by poor environmental and sanitary conditions and a sense of powerlessness to control their surroundings. Although the influence of environmental and socioeconomic factors is recognized, few studies in Brazil explore how prolonged exposure affects environmental perceptions in impoverished areas. To address this, we conducted a cross-sectional and qualitative study in urban communities in Salvador, Bahia, to understand residents' perceptions, experiences, and practices regarding rodent infestations. We used individual and household surveys, as well as focus group discussions. Residents demonstrated awareness of the environmental factors that contribute to infestations and reported their control practices. They frequently observed rodents in public spaces, residential areas, and peridomestic zones, and expressed feelings of disgust and danger. Despite this, they felt that exposure to rats and the diseases they transmit was “inevitable” and had grown accustomed to their presence. Due to neglect by authorities, they have developed their coping mechanisms, relying on community initiatives and social support. These findings highlight how environmental and socioeconomic factors shape individual perceptions. They suggest a need for comprehensive, integrated interventions that address individual, community, institutional, and public policy levels simultaneously.