Insecticide-impregnated bed nets: a new tool for malaria prevention and control- an old strategy with new perspectives

ABSTRACT

Malaria is one of the major vector-borne diseases in many parts of the World. With the development of resistance of Plasmodium falciparum to drugs mosquito vector species to insecticides, the problem has become more critical. At present the emphasis is on the implementation of sustainable control by community participation through primary health care systems. One of the simple technologies which can be implemented with community assistance is the use of pyrethroid impregnated bed nets for protection against mosquito bites. Trials carried out in many countries have shown, that if properly used, such treated-nets are cheap, socially acceptable and effective for prevention against malaria. This paper presents a brief introduction to impregnated bed nets with particular reference to malaria control