Perception of disease transmission risks associated with domestic rats in Kinshasa households

Domestic rats, also known as black rats (Rattus rattus), coexist with humans in various ecological settings, thereby facilitating the transmission of pathogens through multiple routes. In low- and middle-income countries, several anthropogenic factors exacerbate this risk. In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), few studies have examined community perceptions of this threat. The present study aimed to assess household perceptions of disease transmission risks associated with domestic rats in four neighborhoods of Ngaliema Commune, Kinshasa. This was a cross-sectional and descriptive study conducted among randomly selected households located near waste disposal sites, following oral consent from household heads or their representatives. Findings showed that the presence of rats was reported in 98% of households, mainly due to garbage accumulation (47%) and kitchen waste (44%). Moreover, 89% of respondents were aware of the potential for disease transmission. Although 98% of households reported practicing rat control, only 12% did so specifically to prevent disease risks. In conclusion, while knowledge of rat-borne disease transmission was relatively high among respondents, their attitudes and practices toward effective prevention remained limited.