Impact of using long-lasting insecticide-treated mosquito nets on malaria parasitaemia in the outskirts of Kisangani

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Notwithstanding the large-scale use of mosquito nets and peri and intra-residential sanitation measures to control malaria in DR Congo, malaria remains the first of the deadliest diseases. The purpose of this study was to measure the impact of mosquito net use on malaria parasitaemia. Subjects and methods: We carried out an analytical cross-sectional study from 21 September to 17 December 2015. Two hundred and fifty-two subjects aged ? 5 years, living in the villages of Madula and Wanierukula(30 and 58 km from Kisangani), using a mosquito net in good condition every day, or not at all, were included. Pregnant women and subjects who took antimalarial treatment in the last two months before the study were excluded. Results: The mean malaria parasitaemia in subjects who used anet was 439.2 parasites / ?l, less than half of those who did not use a net (895.5 parasites / ?l). On the other hand, in those who slept after 2200, the use of the net did not influence their malaria parasitaemia. Conclusion: The use of the mosquito net reduces asymptomatic parasitaemia in half in those who use netsin the outskirts of Kisangani. It shows certain limits, among other things, a not insignificant malaria parasitaemia, even in the subjects who use it regularly and a low efficiency in the subjects who used it after 22h00. It deserves to be reinforced by other prevention methods such as the spraying of residual insecticides