Thesis
Integrated Pest Management (IPM): social and institutional factors for Successful Implementation
University of Iowa
Master of Science (MS), University of Iowa
Spring 2021
DOI: 10.17077/etd.005793
Abstract
As students spend the majority of their days attending school each year, they are an at-risk population to the exposures of pests and pesticides in the school environment. These exposures are capable of adverse health effects that can have a lasting impact as they are undergoing critical developmental stages during these years. Conventionally treated schools rely on routine spraying of pesticides for pest control. However, these conventional methods have been shown to increase exposure risk to pesticides without effective reductions in pest populations. To mitigate unnecessary pest and pesticide exposures in the school environment, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an alternative method of pest management that relies on the biological, physical and cultural control of pest conducive conditions that will only use pesticides as a last resort. Although proven to be an effective pest management control, the adoption of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs in Iowa is still minimal. Challenges include misconceptions surrounding IPM principles, effective means of communication, and structural challenges such as staff behaviors and budgetary constraints. This study takes a qualitative research approach to better understand the barriers and facilitators to IPM programs in Iowa. Because of the numerous social and institutional challenges to IPM implementation, using a qualitative approach will identify the perceptions of different stakeholders who engage with IPM and illuminate strategies to improve implementation success of IPM in public school districts. This study found that misconceptions about IPM are often the core of miscommunication issues between the districts and their communities. Transparency of information was found to be a critical component of successful implementation, and the use of local and social media was cited to be an outlet for communication that was preferred by community members. Education, amongst all stakeholders, was found to be an important component that is often overlooked. Behavioral and cultural changes were found to be longstanding challenges in the transition towards an IPM program when people are comfortable in their routines. This poses an increased challenge in the agricultural state of Iowa that has strong ties to pesticide use within its agricultural sector. Although challenges persist in the implementation process, with the understanding that IPM is reliant on a team effort that requires commitment from all involved, IPM has been proven to be an effective method in reducing pest and pesticide exposures in the school environment.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Integrated Pest Management (IPM): social and institutional factors for Successful Implementation
- Creators
- Grayson Snyder
- Contributors
- Brandi Janssen (Advisor)Diane Rohlman (Committee Member)Matthew Nonnenmann (Committee Member)
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Degree Awarded
- Master of Science (MS), University of Iowa
- Degree in
- Occupational and Environmental Health
- Date degree season
- Spring 2021
- DOI
- 10.17077/etd.005793
- Publisher
- University of Iowa
- Number of pages
- viii, 73 pages
- Copyright
- Copyright 2021 Grayson Snyder
- Language
- English
- Description illustrations
- illustrations (chiefly color)
- Description bibliographic
- Includes bibliographical references (pages 64-70)
- Public Abstract (ETD)
Students are an at-risk population to pest and pesticide exposures in their school environment. These exposures are capable of adversely affecting their healthy development during critical years of growth. Schools that are conventionally treated by routine pesticide spraying have been proven to be less effective while also posing higher risks of exposure to their students and staff. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an alternative method in the reduction of pests that only uses pesticides as a last resort. IPM relies on altering the school environment to prevent pest-friendly living conditions. Although successful in the reduction of pests and pesticides, adoption of IPM programs within Iowa schools are still low.
This study interviewed members of the community, school districts, and other organizations to better understand the complexities of the implementation process. By understanding the perceptions and roles of the various stakeholders involved in the implementation of an IPM program, future school districts will be able to implement an IPM program that is suitable to their needs without faltering in the process. All participants highlighted the importance of transparency throughout implementation and thereafter to ensure all stakeholders are aware of any pest issues and how they will be addressed. Misconceptions often arise about the fundamentals of IPM, with particular emphasis on pesticide use, which was found to then create miscommunication problems between stakeholders. Local and social media was found to be method of communication that was under-utilized but would be effective in the transparency of information. Although there are challenges, with the understanding that IPM is reliant on a team effort that requires commitment from all involved, IPM has been proven to be an effective method in reducing pest and pesticide exposures in the school environment.
- Academic Unit
- Occupational and Environmental Health
- Record Identifier
- 9984097276902771
Metrics
20 File views/ downloads
92 Record Views