Assessing the effect of Pests and their co-infections on selected Senior High School Students in the Kumasi Metropolis of Ghana

Abstract

Pests and insects are disease causing agents when it bites an individual. It is not a rumor that most of the Senior High Schools in Ghana are infested with lots of pest. Apart from their bites they are able to affect food and other items in the schools. The study sought to investigate the impact of pests and co-infection on the Senior High School students in some selected schools in the Kumasi Metropolis. The descriptive study design was employed to study the respondents. An estimated sample size (n) of 227 respondents was arrived at and both the probability sampling and non-probability sampling techniques were employed in attaining the desired sample. Questionnaires were used to collect data from the respondents. The data were collated and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Data was analysed using descriptive statistics. The study revealed that students were worried by most insects and rodent such as mouse, rats, mosquitoes, files bedbug and cockroaches. It was also realized that the habitat for most of these insects and pest were the dormitories. The study however recommends that school administrator adopt more proactive measures to prevent the spread of insects and pests and this could be done by concentrating on preventive measures like fixing windows or louvers, window nets and doors, spraying frequently.