[Household insecticides: pattern of use according to per capita income].

OBJECTIVE Although insecticides are widely used in many countries, few studies of their use in households have been conducted. This study was carried out to describe the household use of insecticides according to per capita income. METHODS From October 1999 to January 2000, questionnaires on the use of household insecticides were applied to 2,039 households in the urban area of Pelotas, Brazil. Data was collected on income, use of insecticides in the 12 months prior to the interview, product type and chemical group of the insecticides found in the households and, mechanical protection used for insect control. Chi-square test for trends was used to assess relationships, prevalence rates and confidence intervals. RESULTS Household insecticides were used in 89% of the households visited at least in one occasion in the 12 months prior to the interview. In 79% one or more units of insecticides were found in the household at the time of the interview. The most common types were aerosols and tablet refills for electric devices of the pyrethroid chemical group. Mechanical protection against insects was not widely used. CONCLUSIONS Higher income households most frequently had insecticides in the form of pyrethroid aerosols while organophosphate sprays were more frequently found in lower income households.