Megan Sandel, MD, MPH, Pediatrics, Boston Medical Center, Boston Public Health Commission, Boston Public Health Commission, 1010 Massachusetts Ave., 2nd Floor, Boston, MA 02128, 617-534-2651, megan.sandel@bmc.org and Anne Batcheller, RN, BSN, Asthma Prevention and Control Program, Boston Public Health Commission, 1010 Massachusetts Avenue, 2nd Floor, Boston, MA 02118.

Methods: Within a larger randomized controlled study in private and subsidized urban homes, all families who reported pest infestations were offered an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program consisting of an in-home education session about reducing pests, supplies to seal food and trash, and two treatments from a professional pest control services. Results: 127 of 182 families (70%) reported some pest problem. Of the 127 families with pest problems, 10 % reported cockroach infestation, 66% mouse infestation, and 24% both. 90 families (71%) agreed to have pest control services and completed two extermination visits in their homes. We surveyed all families; 68 of 90 families (76%) responded. Half of families reported their infestations with mice (49%) and cockroach (50%) as “heavy” or “very heavy” prior to IPM. After IPM, few families rated their infestations with mice (11%) and cockroaches (0%) as “heavy” or “very heavy.”(p<.001) Self-reported levels of mouse infestation correlated well with mouse urinary protein (MUP) levels of MUS m-1 allergen from baseline dust samples in the asthmatic child’s bedroom prior to IPM treatment. Respondents who rated their infestation prior to IPM as “heavy” or “very heavy” had a significantly higher baseline MUP level (mean=14,737.0) than respondents who rated their infestation as “none,” “light,” or “moderate” (mean=1,213.2) (p=0.009). 37% of families reported their child’s asthma as “severe” or “very severe” prior to IPM, compared to only 9% after IPM (p=.002).

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, the participant in this session will be able to

• identify objective and subjective means of measuring infestation levels and asthma severity;
• describe the essential components of an IPM program;
• list barriers to eliminating rodents and cockroaches from private urban dwellings.

Keywords: Asthma, Environmental Health Hazards

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.