Bio-efficacy, physical integrity, community usage and washing practices of mosquito nets treated with ICON MAXX long-lasting insecticidal treatment in India

BACKGROUND New brands of potential long lasting insecticide nets (LLINs) and LLIN treatment kits require field evaluation before they are used in a vector control programme. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to evaluate the bio-efficacy, usage, washing practice and physical integrity of nets treated with LLIN treatment kit, ICON MAXX in a phase III field trial in Odisha state, India. METHODS A total of 300 polyester nets treated with ICON MAXX and 140 polyester nets treated conventionally with lambda-cyhalothrin CS 2.5% ITNs were distributed. The bio-efficacy was evaluated with WHO cone bioassay. The chemical analysis of netting pieces was done at the beginning, after 12 and 36 months of the trial. FINDINGS After one year of distribution of nets, the bioassay showed 100% mortality on both ITNs and ICON MAXX treated nets. At 36 months, the overall pass rate was 58.8% and the mean lambda-cyhalothrin content of LLINs was 34.5 mg ai/m2, showing a loss of 44.4% of the original concentration. CONCLUSION ICON MAXX treated LLIN was found to retain bio-efficacy causing 97% knockdown of Anopheles stephensi up to 30 months and met the WHOPES criteria. However, the desired bio-efficacy was not sustained up to 36 months.

An Investigation of the Use of Rectangular Insecticide-Treated Nets for Malaria Control in Chipinge District; Zimbabwe: a Descriptive Study

Introduction: In 2007; Zimbabwe government distributed rectangular insecticide treated nets in Chipinge District; covering 100 of population at risk. However; malaria morbidity continued increasing from 492/1000 (49.2) in 2007 to 667/1000 (66.7) in 2008. A study was conducted in Chipinge District in May 2009 to investigate the use of rectangular insecticide treated nets and factors affecting their use in malaria prevention: METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted. Quantitative and qualitative methods were triangulated to assess utilisation of rectangular insecticide treated nets. Five interviewers administered 380 questionnaires to senior matriarchs selected from five wards; with 19;667 sampling frame (19;667/380 = 52). Five focus group discussions were conducted. Quantitative data were analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences; while qualitative data were summarised into thematic areas. RESULTS:Approximately; 95 of respondents knew that malaria was caused by mosquito bites. Perception of nets as malaria preventative measure was high (88). Utilization of rectangular insecticide treated nets was low (33) with 81of those not using them expressed difficulty procedures of mounting them and unavailability of related accessories as main reasons. People preferred conical insecticide treated nets (84) compared to rectangular insecticide treated nets (15). Conclusion: Although the Chipinge people accepted insecticide treated nets for malaria prevention; procedure of mounting rectangular insecticide treated nets and accessing related accessories prevented consistent use.In order for insecticide treated net project to have impact on malaria prevention; priority should be given to conical shape or rectangular shape with adequate accessories like wire nails and strings or twine

Parents' Perception on Use of Insecticide-Treated Bed Net in Port Harcourt

Background: Insecticide treated bed nets (ITN) are protective against malaria; but they are poorly utilized. The utilization of the nets; especially by the under fives; will depend on their caregivers' awareness of the net and their perception of its usefulness. The study therefore aims to evaluate awareness and utilization of ITN . Methods: This was a descriptive hospital-based study. It involved the distribution of 15-itemed questionnaires to 212 parents (with at least one under five aged child); who brought their children to the Paediatrics outpatient clinic of University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital. Questions asked covered: the awareness of ITN; the number of ITN owned by each participant and the number of under fives who slept under ITN the night preceding the interview. Results: A total of 212 parents participated in this study. Male to female ratio was 1:4. One hundred and eighty nine (89.2) participants had heard of ITN. The two most common advantages opined by the participants were that it prevents malaria (42.0) and mosquito bite (38.2). The commonest identified side effects was that it causes heat (45.8) and 113(53.3) participants owned at least one ITN. Only 45 (21.2) participants said their under fives slept under ITN on the night preceding the interview. Conclusion: There is a fair awareness of the use of ITNs for malaria control; however there is poor utilization of the nets by the under five aged children in Port Harcourt

Perception and Predictors of Insecticide-Treated Net Use in a Rural Northern Nigerian Community

"Background: Sub-Saharan Africa carries a high burden of malaria. Despite evidence of the effectiveness of insecticide treated nets (ITNs); utilization rates are still low. Methods: We assessed community perception of malaria and determinants of ITN use among 158 households in rural northern Nigeria using interviewer administered structured questionnaires. Results: Nearly all respondents 157(99.4) were familiar with the term ""malaria"" and attributed it to mosquito bite. Other mentioned causes of malaria included unclean environment (74); heat (7); overwork (1.9); and contaminated water (0.6). The symptoms mentioned included fever (95); headache (52.5); body weakness (41.1) and vomiting (25.9). Most respondents (84.0) were aware of ITNs but only 34.8used them. Willingness to buy at current market price; health workers as source of information and the use of mosquito coils were significant predictors of ITN use. Conclusion: High awareness of ITNs did not translate into its utilization. Public health education in malaria including free ITN use should be delivered by health workers."

Utilization of Insecticide Treated Nets in Arbaminch Town and the Malarious Villages of Arbaminch Zuria District; Southern Ethiopia

Introduction:Malaria causes an overwhelmingly large number of cases and deaths round the globe every year.Insecticide treated nets (ITNs) have become important tools that provide a simple; but effective means of preventing malaria in highly endemic areas. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study design was used to investigate possession; utilization; and factors affecting possession and utilization of ITNs in Arbaminch Town and the malarious villages of Arbaminch Zuria District; southern Ethiopia from 22nd January to 1st February 2007 on a sample of 454 households. Data were collected using structured; pretested; interviewer-administered questionnaire. Data entry and analysis was performed using SPSS 11.0 for windows. Univariate; bivariate and multivariate analyses were carried out. Results: The coverage for any net and ITN was 75.1and 58.8respectively; the utilization rate for any net and ITN by any member of the household the night prior to the study was 71and 73respectively. Both coverage and utilization were higher in rural areas than in urban areas. The proportion of pregnant women and children under five years who slept under ITNs the night preceding the study was 35and 40.3respectively. Education and income of head of households; place of residence of households and presence of high risk groups in the household were found to be predictors of net possession. Sex and income of head of households; and presence of radio in the households were predictors of utilization of nets by any household member. Education of head of households and place of residence of households were predictors of utilization of nets by high risk groups. Conclusions: A wide gap exists between coverage and utilization of ITNs. Use of ITNs by high risk groups is far below the Abuja target. Appropriate BCC interventions are required to narrow the gap between coverage and utilization of ITNs and to escalate use of ITNs by high-risk groups