Prevalence And Species Composition Of Cockroaches In Male And Female Hostels Of Kaduna State University, Nigeria

Abstract

Cockroach infestations pose a significant threat on public health due to their ability to contaminate food and spread pathogens. In university setting, where student populations are concentrated in hostels, the risk of cockroach infestations is heightened. The aim of this research is to determine the prevalence and cockroach species in male and female hostels of Kaduna State University, Nigeria. The sample was collected from dustbins, toilets, rooms, kitchens and stores of the female and male hostels. Glue boards and baits were used to collect cockroaches from the toilets, kitchen and inside the hostels. Cockroaches seen were killed with broom/sprayed with insecticides. The Cockroaches were packed into the container containing 10% formalin using broom and packer. The cockroaches collected were taken to the zoology laboratory in Department of Biological Sciences, Kaduna State University for identification. The results showed that female hostel had more prevalence (74.96%) than the male hostel with 25.04%. The species of cockroaches identified are Blattela germinica, Supella longipalpa and Periplaneta americana. Blattela germinica had the highest prevalence (53.4%); followed by Periplaneta americana (26.3%) while Supella longipalpa had the least (20.3%). Cockroach infestation in relation to sex of the cockroaches showed that more female cockroaches were identified (67.05%) when compared with the male (32.95%). In conclusion, high prevalence of cockroach infestation was observed in this study hence the need for the creation of awareness to educate the students and University community on the control measures and importance of environmental sanitation.