Study group caregivers did not have substantially
greater improvements in cleaning
activities than the comparison group (data
not shown), suggesting that the observed reduction
in asthma triggers was more likely
related to weatherization improvements and
less to caregivers’ education and actions. The
weatherization improvements may have also
yielded the reductions in dust mite allergen
levels and reduced moisture and water damage
in study group homes.
We observed only a modest decline in
visible evidence of rodents and a small increase
in visible evidence of cockroaches. Integrated
pest management was not a formal part of
the weatherization-plus-health interventions.
CHWs did emphasize the behavioral components
of integrated pest management, including
proper food material storage and disposal.
CHWs also performed a one-time cleaning
training session in homes with visible cockroach
problems. The study findings, including
the lack of significant improvements in Mus m1
allergen levels, suggest that education and
one-time cleaning alone is insufficient to reduce
pest-related asthma triggers.