Knowledge, attitude and beliefs about malaria in a tribal area of Bastar district (Madhya Pradesh).

A sample survey of K.A.P. about malaria was carried out among sample of 359 inhabitants selected by random sampling in a tribal area of Baster district, which is a hyper-endemic area of the disease, predominantly by P.falciparum infection and understanding about the problem of malaria was poor, only about 50% (ranging from 30% to 60%) of the respondents were aware about cause and signs and symptoms of malaria, breeding & resting habit of mosquito, usefulness of insecticidal spray and ill effect of mud plastering following residual spraying. Proper health education and community involvement are, therefore, necessary to achieve control of malaria in the locality.

Kala-azar in Ballia district, Uttar Pradesh.

Door to door search during 1991 in 85 villages in Ballia district of Uttar Pradesh revealed 29 sporadic cases of Kala-azar in four villages. Epidemiological investigations indicated indigenous transmission in Phulwaria village (PHC: Dubhar) with 25 cases while the remaining three villages showed four imported cases from the endemic states. No kala-azar cases had been reported in Ballia between 1947 and the present investigation. Phlebotomus arqentipes, the known vector of kala-azar in India, was encountered in 10 PHCs including the four villages having kala-azar cases. Regular vigilance in Ballia and the neighbouring districts in Uttar Pradesh bordering Bihar is suggested in view of indigenous transmission detected in one village with multiple infection in families. The presence of high vector density, ambient environmental factors and absence of regular residual insecticidal spray warrant constant surveillance in Kala-Azar prone areas in Uttar Pradesh.

Present status of Plasmodium malariae infection in Bastar District (M.P.).

Plasmodium malariae infection was detected in Bastar district (M.P.) during malaria survey in 1981-83. The data collected during the survey was compared with the earlier records of P. malariae infection in the area. From the data it can be seen that the infection in this area has declined due to the ecological/developmental activities undertaken by Government. All the cases were found to be indigenous and approximately 62 per cent infection was found in age group of 10-14 years irrespective of sex. More than 60 per cent of P. malariae infections were positive for gametocytes. Three day regimen of 4-aminoquilines for the treatment was found quite effective.

Role of synthetic pyrethroids in vector control.

The role of synthetic pyrethroids in vector control has been reviewed in the light of available literature. Various reports on field and laboratory trials indicate the safety and effectiveness of synthetic pyrethroids against vectors of public health importance without any untoward effect on non-target organisms. The prospects of these insecticides in the vector control have been discussed with cautious optimism.

Village scale trial of deltamethrin against mosquitoes.

A village scale trial of Deltamethrin (K-othrin), formulated as a 2.5 per cent wettable powder and applied as a residual spray at a dosage of 25 mg/m2, was carried out against both anopheline and culicine mosquitoes, in Vikas Nagar village, Loni PHC, Distt. Ghaziabad (U.P.) in the month of August, 1985. Deltamethrin was found to be effective in reducing the overall vector population for about 10 to 12 weeks. Contact bio-assays also indicated that the insecticide has a residual life of about 12 weeks both on mud and cement plastered surfaces. No mortality was observed in bioassays against airborne effect of the insecticide sprayed on the walls. Twenty-four hour survival rate of the vector population was observed to be below 50 per cent upto 8 to 10 weeks. Observations indicated excito-repellent effect on mosquitoes forcing exodus from treated areas.