Citation

Godsmark CN, Rother HA. Glob. Public Health 2019; 14(10): 1535-1545.

Affiliation

Division of Environmental Health, School of Public Health and Family Medicine , University of Cape Town , Cape Town , South Africa.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/17441692.2019.1590619

PMID

30887912

Abstract

In low-income townships, pests are rife, a nuisance and are vectors of disease. Although alternatives are available, chemical means of pest control is often the first resort due to lack of knowledge of other methods, convenience and presumed efficacy. The demand for chemical pest control has created a unique business opportunity for informal vendors in South Africa servicing predominately low socio-economic communities. That is the selling of 'street pesticides', which are either containing agricultural pesticides too toxic for domestic use or illegally imported products. Poisonings from street pesticide exposures, particularly in children, are increasingly common and, along with pest-related diseases, creates a double burden of disease. Solutions are needed to decrease these incidences and to develop pest control strategies that are low- or non-toxic. It is imperative that, for sustainable problem-solving, all stakeholders, including vendors, be part of the solution in tackling this public health issue. This manuscript outlines an engaged scholarship approach for developing a sustainable resolution for reducing street pesticide use. This cyclical and iterative approach encompasses: the establishment of relationships, co-creation of solutions, co-implementation, co-monitoring, co-evaluation, co-reflection and co-re-design. The significance of the research and proposed engagement are discussed, as are anticipated challenges.

Language: en

Keywords

Engaged scholarship; South Africa; environmental health; participatory research; poverty; street pesticides