Cost of intensive routine control and incremental cost of insecticide-treated curtain deployment in a setting with low Aedes aegypti infestation

Abstract: INTRODUCTION Information regarding the cost of implementing insecticide-treated curtains (ITCs) is scarce. Therefore, we evaluated the ITC implementation cost, in addition to the costs of intensive conventional routine activities of the Aedes control program in the city of Guantanamo, Cuba. METHODS A cost-analysis study was conducted from the perspective of the Aedes control program, nested in an ITC effectiveness trial, during 2009-2010. Data for this study were obtained from bookkeeping records and activity registers of the Provincial Aedes Control Programme Unit and the account records of the ITC trial. RESULTS The annual cost of the routine Aedes control program activities was US$16.80 per household (p.h). Among 3,015 households, 6,714 ITCs were distributed. The total average cost per ITC distributed was US$3.42, and 74.3% of this cost was attributed to the cost of purchasing the ITCs. The annualized costs p.h. of ITC implementation was US$3.80. The additional annualized cost for deploying ITCs represented 19% and 48.4% of the total cost of the routine Aedes control and adult-stage Aedes control programs, respectively. The trial did not lead to further reductions in the already relatively low Aedes infestation levels. CONCLUSIONS At current curtain prices, ITC deployment can hardly be considered an efficient option in Guantanamo and other comparable environments.

Efeito de extratos aquosos vegetais sobre a lagarta-do-cartucho / Effect of aqueous plant extracts on the fall armyworm

Spodoptera frugiperda, conhecida como lagarta-do-cartucho, é considerada uma das principais pragas do milho. Como medida alternativa aos agroquímicos, o uso de plantas inseticidas, além de preservar o ambiente, reduz os custos de produção e torna-se uma prática adequada para a agricultura sustentável. Desta forma, o objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar a ação inseticida de extratos aquosos de folhas de eucalipto (Eucaplyptus robusta), guaco (Mikania laevigata)e folhas e frutos de pimenta (Capsicum baccatum). Os extratos a 10% foram incorporados em dieta artificial de Spodoptera frugiperda, mantidas em condições de laboratório (26 ± 2°C, umidade relativa de 60 ± 5% e fotofase de 16 horas). Foram utilizados 5 tratamentos com 4 repetições cada, sendo 15 lagartas por repetição. Avaliaram-se a duração da fase larval, mortalidade diária, peso das lagartas ao 10o dia e das pupas após 24 horas e quantidade de machos e fêmeas. Observou-se que os extratos de E. robusta e folhas de C. baccatum resultaram em maior mortalidade e menor peso na fase larval, sendo promissores para testes em campo no controle dessa praga.(AU)

Spodoptera frugiperda, fall armyworm, is considered as one of the main pests of corn crops. As an alternative measure to pesticides, the use of insecticidal plants, aside from protecting the environment, reduces production costs and becomes a practice of sustainable agriculture. Thus, the objective of this work was to verify the insecticidal action of aqueous leaf extracts of Eucaplyptus robusta, Mikania laevigata and leaves and fruits of Capsicum baccatum, when incorporated into artificial diet for Spodoptera frugiperda, maintained under laboratory conditions (26 ± 2°C, relative humidity of 60 ± 5% and photoperiod of 16 hours). Larval stage duration, daily mortality, weight of larvae on the 10th day and of pupae after 24 hours were verified, as well as daily mortality of larvae. It was observed that the extracts of E. robusta and leaves of C. baccatum showed higher mortality and lower weight in the larval stage, and are promising for field tests to control this pest.(AU)

Perception and affordability of long-lasting insecticide-treated nets among pregnant women and mothers of children under five years in Ogun State, Nigeria

Despite the distribution of long-lasting insecticide-treated nets [LLINs] in Nigeria, access to and use of LLINs continues to be minimal. Little is also known about the perceived fair price people are willing to pay for LLINs in Ogun State, South-West Nigeria. Data were collected using semi-structured questionnaire among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics and mothers of under-five children in randomly-selected malaria holo-endemic communities of Ijebu North and Yewa North local government areas of Ogun State. Results showed that only 23.6% of 495 respondents owned and were using LLINs. One of the main reasons for non-use of LLINs was unaffordability of LLIN cost. 84.2% of the 495 respondents were willing to pay at a hypothetical price of N800.00 [US$5.00] for a LLIN, 15.6% were unwilling and 0.2% was indifferent to buying it at the price. Their willingness to pay was significantly determined by education and occupation [p = 0.00]. Health education strategies need to be developed to increase awareness and demand for LLINs. However, there is the need to take into account preferred access outlets and the diversity in willingness to pay for LLINs if equity to access is to be ensured in the study communities

Cost-effectiveness of integrated pest management compared with insecticidal spraying against the German cockroach in apartment buildings

This study assessed the cost and effectiveness of an integrated pest management (IPM) program using hydramethylnon gel baits compared with conventional spraying for controlling the German cockroach, Blattella germanica (L.) (Blattodea: Blattellidae), in two residential buildings in Yasuj, Iran. The IPM approach was based on educational programs using pamphlets, posters and lectures, sanitation using vacuuming and application of hydramethylnon gel baits. Conventional approach used cypermethrin (10 percent EC) on baseboard and cracks-and-crevices. Sticky traps were used as tools for monitoring cockroach population densities. The IPM approach reduced (943 percent) the rate of insecticide application compared to the conventional spray. Cockroach populations in the IPM treatment were significantly reduced from an average of 12.2 ± 3.01 cockroaches per unit before treatment to zero cockroach per unit by week four and thereafter. Cockroach populations in the conventional spray treatment were reduced from an average of 11.5 ± 4.43 cockroaches per unit before treatment to an average of 3.4 ± 0.99 cockroach per unit after 11 weeks of post treatment. The IPM treatment improved 100 percent of infested units compared to 78 percent for spray treatment to obtain a clean level of infestation (< 1cockroach per trap per unit). The results suggest that the intervention by IPM using hydramethylnon gel baits significantly reduced cockroach infestation compared to cypermethrin spray throughout the 11 weeks of post-treatment period. However, within the study period, the IPM system involving gel baits, educational program and sanitation was 363.2 percent more expensive than the conventional method.

Fundo Estratégico da Organização Pan-Americana da Saúde: mecanismo facilitador para melhorar o acesso aos medicamentos / The PAHO Strategic Fund: a mechanism to facilitate access to medicines

OBJETIVO: Descrever o funcionamento do Fundo Estratégico para medicamentos da Organização Pan-Americana da Saúde (OPAS). MÉTODO: Estudo retrospectivo, com recorte temporal de 2004 a 2007, fundamentado em levantamento bibliográfico e documental em arquivos dos escritórios da OPAS nos Estados Unidos, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras e Brasil. Foram levantados o volume total de recursos e os tipos de medicamentos movimentados por meio do Fundo Estratégico nos anos de 2004, 2005, 2006 e nos meses de janeiro a setembro de 2007. RESULTADOS: O levantamento revelou um fundo bem estruturado que movimentou recursos crescentes, de US$ 3 475 043,00 em 2004 a US$ 19 646 634,00 em 2007 (de janeiro a setembro). Houve um crescimento na participação dos antirretrovirais nesse dispêndio, de pouco menos de 8 por cento do total em 2004 a 57,89 por cento em 2007. Ainda em 2007, 66,63 por cento da movimentação financeira do Fundo Estratégico foram destinados à compra de antirretrovirais para nove países (Brasil, Guatemala, El Salvador, Equador, Honduras, Haiti, Belize, Nicarágua e Bolívia) de um total de 17 países participantes. O país que mais movimentou recursos financeiros por meio do Fundo Estratégico foi o Brasil, com 63 por cento dos gastos para compra de insumos estratégicos no período de janeiro a setembro de 2007. CONCLUSÃO: A proposta de unificar as compras de medicamentos de todos os países participantes para melhor negociação de preços e administração das compras permitirá economias de escala. O Fundo Estratégico pode contribuir para ampliar o acesso aos medicamentos e melhorar a gestão do sistema público de saúde da América Latina.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the medicine procurement activities of the PAHO Strategic Fund. METHOD: This is a retrospective study covering the period from 2004 to 2007, based on a bibliographic and document survey of Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) archives in the United States, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Brazil. The volume of resources and the types of drugs procured by the fund were determined for the years 2004, 2005, and 2006 and for the period of January to September 2007. RESULTS: The survey revealed a well-structured fund handling increasing resources, from US$ 3 475 043.00 in 2004 to US$ 19 646 634.00 in 2007 (January to September). The participation of antiretroviral drugs in this expenditure has grown from less than 8 percent of the total in 2004 to 57.89 percent in 2007. Still, in 2007, 66.63 percent of the financial resources managed by the Strategic Fund were allocated to the purchase of antiretroviral drugs for nine countries (Brazil, Guatemala, El Salvador, Ecuador, Honduras, Haiti, Belize, Nicaragua, and Bolivia) out of a total of 17 participating countries. Brazil was the country using the most resources through the Strategic Fund, accounting for 63 percent of the expenditure for the purchase of strategic supplies between January and September 2007. CONCLUSION: The proposal to unify the purchase of medications for all participating countries to improve pricing and purchasing management will result in large-scale savings. The Strategic Fund can contribute to increasing access to medicines and improving the management of the public health care system in Latin America.

Insect vectors of Leishmania: distribution, physiology and their control.

Leishmaniasis is a deadly vector-borne disease that causes significant morbidity and mortality in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Mediterranean regions. The causative agent of leishmaniasis is transmitted from man to man by a tiny insect called sandfly. Approximately, 600 species of sandflies are known but only 10% of these act as disease vectors. Further, only 30 species of these are important from public health point. Fauna of Indian sub-zone is represented by 46 species, of these, 11 belong to Phlebotomine species and 35 to Sergentomyia species. Phlebotomus argentipes is the proven vector of kala-azar or visceral leishmaniasis in India. This review gives an insight into the insect vectors of human leishmaniasis, their geographical distribution, recent taxonomic classification, habitat, and different control measures including indoor residual spraying (IRS), insecticide-treated bednets (ITNs), environmental management, biological control, and emerging resistance to DDT. Role of satellite remote sensing for early prediction of the disease by identifying the sandflygenic conditions cannot be undermined. The article also underlines the importance of synthetic pheromones which can be used in near future for the control of these vectors.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of lambdacyhalothrin-treated nets for malaria control: the patients' perspective.

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of lambdacyhalothrin-treated nets in comparison with conventional DDT-spraying as a method of malaria control according to the patients' perspective among migrant populations in a high-risk area along the Thai-Myanmar border in Thailand. Ten hamlets comprising 243 houses with 948 inhabitants were given only treated nets. Twelve hamlets comprising 294 houses and 1,315 inhabitants represented the DDT-treated area and another six hamlets with 171 houses and 695 inhabitants served as controls. Information as to consumer costs was obtained by interviewing 3,214 patients seeking care at all levels of the health care system in the study area. Analysis showed that the impregnated-net program was more cost-effective than the DDT-spraying program or surveillance alone (US$ 0.59 vs US$ 0.74 vs US$ 0.79 per 1 case of prevented malaria). We conclude that in a high-risk area such as along the Thai-Myanmar border in western Thailand, integrating the use of impregnated nets with large-scale primary health care programs is likely to constitute the most cost-effective method for controlling malaria according to the patients' perspective.

Avaliaçäo da resistência a inseticidas em populaçäo de Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae) do Rio Pinheiros (Säo Paulo, Brasil) / Evaluation of the insecticide resistence in population of Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae) of Pinheiros river, Säo Paulo, Brazil

Mostra o surgimento de resistência na populaçäo de Culex quinquefasciatus do rio Pinheiros (linhagem PIN) aos organofosforados malation (3,2 vezes), fenitrotion (11,2 vezes) e ao carbamato propoxur (3,0 vezes) quando comparados à linhagem suscetível IAL. O principal mecanismo bioquímico da resistência é a elevaçäo dos níveis de atividade de esterases. Há também uma mudança no padräo eletroforético destas esterases na linhagem PIN, mostrando duas bandas intensamente coradas. Além das esterases, o alelo resistente da acetilcolinesterase (Ace.1r) está presente, ainda que em baixa freqüência (0,12. Essa baixa freqüência indica a existência de outro mecanismo bioquímico que colabore para a resistência apresentada ao propoxur, provavelmente o de oxidases de múltipla funçäo. Após um ano, outra amostra da mesma populaçäo foi coletada (PIN2). A atividade de esterases foi medida e a freqüência dos alelos Ace.1 determinadas. Os resultados mostraram um aumento da atividade de a-esterases e uma diminuiçäo na de B-esterases, ambos estatisticamente significantes a=0,05). A freqüência do alelo Ace1r aumentou de 0,12 para 0,17, diferença também estatisticamente significante, o que demostra uma seleçäo favorável para as a-esterases e a forma insensível da acetilcolinesterase. A suscetibilidade desta populaçäo a permetrina indica a classe dos piretróides como alternativa na eventual necessidade de mudança dos compostos empregados no controle