Health hazard of using mosquito repellent in Khulna city, Bangladesh

Abstract

PurposeMosquito problem per se arises with diverse weather patterns. With regard to mosquito diseases, people intrinsically use repellents regardless of the harmful effect. The use of repellents like coil, spray, liquid vaporizer and mosquito cream triggers indoor congestion, and thereby respiratory diseases. Eventually, people have to bear high out-of-pocket costs.Design/methodology/approachThis study has applied a stratified systematic sampling technique taking 120 adult individuals from residential and slum areas covering users and non-users of mosquito repellents of Khulna city, Bangladesh. A structured questionnaire has been used to collect data from respondents.FindingsEconometric techniques are exercised to examine the occurrence, severity and duration of different respiratory diseases. Results exhibit that poor and less-educated slum people are more prone to face respiratory diseases compared to residential people. The health cost of slum and residential people is estimated US$ 134 and US$ 9, respectively.Originality/valueFinally, this study underpins arranging public health programs and taking averting actions as an impetus to raise consciousness toward the negative health effect of using mosquito repellents.