Risk Factors for Bed Bugs Among Urban Emergency Department Patients

Bed bugs are a significant and under-studied public health nuisance. We surveyed 706 emergency department patients and found bed bug infestations were more likely (p 0.05) among subjects having persons 19-64 years of age in the house, living in a group home, a previous history with bed bugs, and knowing someone who currently has bed bugs. Sleeping in a hotel, recent homelessness, obtaining used clothing or furniture and using a laundromat were not associated with increased risk (p 0.05) for infestation. Individuals with less education and income were more likely (p 0.05) to have bed bugs and express concern about getting bed bugs. Younger persons were more likely to correctly identify a picture of a bed bug compared to those over the age of 60 years (p 0.001).