[Knowledge of malaria and long-lasting insecticidal net use practices in two departments of colombia]. / Conocimientos sobre malaria y prácticas de uso de mosquiteros insecticidas de larga duración en dos departamentos de Colombia.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the knowledge about malaria and use practice of insecticide-treated mosquito nets in the departments of Antioquia and Chocó in Colombia, 2013. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional and descriptive study with probability sampling of clusters, stratified and two-staged. The head of household survey was developed using ten questions on knowledge, transmission, symptoms and preventive measures against malaria, used in the questionnaires of the 2007 National Health Survey in Colombia, as well as 13 questions on long-lasting insecticidal nets, tenure, use, reasons for non-use, short-term health side effects, washing and drying. RESULTS: 2078 residents responded to the survey. 89% (95% CI: 87.5-89.9) in Antioquia and 94% (95% CI: 93.0-94.0) in Chocó recognized the causes, symptoms, treatment and prevention methods. In Antioquia, 86% (95% CI: 84.9-87.3) had at least one mosquito net and 72% (95% CI: 70.0-73.4) used it daily; and for the department of Chocó, it was 93% (95% CI: 92.2-94.4) and 73% (95% CI: 72.0-74.4), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: There are high levels of knowledge about malaria; however, the care of the mosquito nets does not follow the recommendations to increase their useful life, therefore, specific social strategies are required for each department.

Objetivos. Determinar los conocimientos sobre malaria y prácticas del uso de mosquiteros tratados con insecticidas en los departamentos de Antioquia y Chocó en Colombia, 2013. Materiales y métodos. Estudio transversal y descriptivo con muestreo probabilístico de conglomerados, estratificado y bietápico. La encuesta dirigida a jefes de hogar se elaboró usando diez preguntas sobre conocimientos, transmisión, síntomas y medidas preventivas contra la malaria, utilizado en los cuestionarios de la Encuesta Nacional de Salud en Colombia 2007, e involucrando 13 preguntas sobre los mosquiteros insecticidas de larga duración (MILD), tenencia, uso, motivos de no uso, efectos secundarios sobre la salud a corto plazo, lavado y secado. Resultados. 2078 residentes respondieron la encuesta. El 89% (IC 95%: 87,5-89,9) en Antioquia y el 94% (IC 95%: 93,0-94,0) en Chocó reconoce las causas, síntomas, tratamiento y métodos de prevención. En Antioquia el 86% (IC 95%: 84,9-87,3) tuvo al menos un mosquitero y 72% (IC 95%: 70,0-73,4) lo usó diariamente, y para el departamento de Chocó fue de 93% (IC 95%: 92,2-94,4) y 73% (IC 95%: 72,0-74,4) respectivamente. Conclusiones. Hay altos niveles de conocimiento sobre malaria; sin embargo, el cuidado de los mosquiteros no está de acuerdo a lo recomendado para aumentar su vida útil, por lo tanto, se requieren estrategias sociales propias para cada departamento.

Conocimientos sobre malaria y prácticas de uso de mosquiteros insecticidas de larga duración en dos departamentos de Colombia / Knowledge of malaria and long-lasting insecticidal net use practices in two departments of colombia

RESUMEN Objetivos. Determinar los conocimientos sobre malaria y prácticas del uso de mosquiteros tratados con insecticidas en los departamentos de Antioquia y Chocó en Colombia, 2013. Materiales y métodos. Estudio transversal y descriptivo con muestreo probabilístico de conglomerados, estratificado y bietápico. La encuesta dirigida a jefes de hogar se elaboró usando diez preguntas sobre conocimientos, transmisión, síntomas y medidas preventivas contra la malaria, utilizado en los cuestionarios de la Encuesta Nacional de Salud en Colombia 2007, e involucrando 13 preguntas sobre los mosquiteros insecticidas de larga duración (MILD), tenencia, uso, motivos de no uso, efectos secundarios sobre la salud a corto plazo, lavado y secado. Resultados. 2078 residentes respondieron la encuesta. El 89% (IC 95%: 87,5-89,9) en Antioquia y el 94% (IC 95%: 93,0-94,0) en Chocó reconoce las causas, síntomas, tratamiento y métodos de prevención. En Antioquia el 86% (IC 95%: 84,9-87,3) tuvo al menos un mosquitero y 72% (IC 95%: 70,0-73,4) lo usó diariamente, y para el departamento de Chocó fue de 93% (IC 95%: 92,2-94,4) y 73% (IC 95%: 72,0-74,4) respectivamente. Conclusiones. Hay altos niveles de conocimiento sobre malaria; sin embargo, el cuidado de los mosquiteros no está de acuerdo a lo recomendado para aumentar su vida útil, por lo tanto, se requieren estrategias sociales propias para cada departamento.

ABSTRACT Objectives. To determine the knowledge about malaria and use practice of insecticide-treated mosquito nets in the departments of Antioquia and Chocó in Colombia, 2013. Materials and Methods. Cross-sectional and descriptive study with probability sampling of clusters, stratified and two-staged. The head of household survey was developed using ten questions on knowledge, transmission, symptoms and preventive measures against malaria, used in the questionnaires of the 2007 National Health Survey in Colombia, as well as 13 questions on long-lasting insecticidal nets, tenure, use, reasons for non-use, short-term health side effects, washing and drying. Results. 2078 residents responded to the survey. 89% (95% CI: 87.5-89.9) in Antioquia and 94% (95% CI: 93.0-94.0) in Chocó recognized the causes, symptoms, treatment and prevention methods. In Antioquia, 86% (95% CI: 84.9-87.3) had at least one mosquito net and 72% (95% CI: 70.0-73.4) used it daily; and for the department of Chocó, it was 93% (95% CI: 92.2-94.4) and 73% (95% CI: 72.0-74.4), respectively. Conclusions. There are high levels of knowledge about malaria; however, the care of the mosquito nets does not follow the recommendations to increase their useful life, therefore, specific social strategies are required for each department.

Monitoring and Predicting Net Longevity by Measuring Surface Levels of Insecticide: Implementing a Faster, Cost Effective, Nondestructive, and Field-Ready Alternative to the World Health Organization Cone Test Bioassay.

An important component of malaria control programs is the ability to assess the effectiveness of the insecticide in insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) during normal usage. The standard technique to measure insecticidal activity is the World Health Organization (WHO) cone test, which in many circumstances, may be difficult to implement. We have evaluated an alternative technique, the colorimetric field test (CFT) on a group of 24-month-old Permanet® 2.0 (Vestergaard-Frandsen, Denmark) nets collected in Colombia. The CFT, which measures surface levels (SL) of deltamethrin is compared with standard high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and the WHO cone test. Effective concentrations of deltamethrin for 80% mortality (EC80) were determined from the CFT and HPLC results. Distribution of insecticide SL after 24 months of use reveal that sampling of the midsection best represents the condition of the entire net. We conclude that the CFT is a practical alternative to the WHO cone test for assessing ITN efficacy.

Geographic Distribution and Ecology of Triatoma dimidiata (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) in Colombia.

Triatoma dimidiata Latreille is the second most important vector of Chagas' disease in Colombia and is found in urban and periurban areas. From January 2007 to June 2008, we performed field work in 8 departments, 18 municipalities, and 44 rural villages, covering most of its known distribution and all of its ecological zones in the country. The goal was to determine the geographical distribution, the ecology, and house infestation indices of T. dimidiata over its range and hence the Chagas' disease transmission risk. In Colombia, T. dimidiata occupies a wide variety of ecosystems, from transformed ecosystems in the Andean biome with shrub and xerofitic vegetation to very dense forests in the humid tropical forests in the Sierra Nevada of Santa Marta. According to genetic and ecological criteria, at least two T. dimidiata forms of this species are present: populations from the northwest of the country (Caribbean plains) are restricted to palm tree habitats, and domestic involvement is limited to sporadic visits because of attraction by light; and populations of the east region (Andean mountains) presenting a complex distributional pattern including sylvatic, peridomestic, and domiciliated ecotopes, and occupying a great variety of life zones. The latter population is of epidemiological importance due to the demonstrated migration and genetical flow of individuals among the different habitats. Control, therefore, must take into account its diversity of habitats.

Vigilancia de insectos de importancia en salud pública durante la construcción de los proyectos hidroeléctricos Porce II y Porce III, Antioquia, Colombia, 1990-2009 / Twenty-year surveillance of insects relevant to public health during the construction of hydroelectric facilities in Antioquia, Colombia

Introducción. Los estudios entomológicos en las grandes obras de infraestructura hidroeléctrica constituyen una herramienta para la prevención y el control de enfermedades transmitidas por vectores, debido a que con frecuencia las alteraciones causadas en el medio producen aumento de criaderos naturales y artificiales en el área de influencia y, por ende, incremento de las poblaciones de artrópodos, entre ellos, insectos de interés en salud pública. Objetivo. Realizar estudio y vigilancia de la fauna de Culicidaey Phlebotominae en el área de los proyectos hidroeléctricos Porce II y Porce III, 1990-2009. Materiales y metódos. Se realizaron muestreos entomológicos periódicos para la vigilancia en salud pública de las comunidades ubicadas en el área de influencia y en campamentos y frentes de obra. Los adultos fueron capturados con red para mariposas, trampas de luz Shannon y CDC, y cebo humano protegido. Resultados. Se encontraron larvas de mosquitos de Culex coronator, Cx. nigripalpus, Cx. corniger, Cx. quinquefasciatus y Limatus durhami. Los depósitos más frecuentes fueron: tanques bajos, canecas, llantas y matas sembradas en agua. Aedes aegypti solo fue capturado en dos localidades rurales de dos municipios del área de influencia. En las zonas de bosque se capturaron mosquitos Aedes, Mansonia, Culex, Psorophora, Wyeomyia, Phonyomyia, Uranotaenia, Haemagogus y Sabethes; el principal fue Haemogogus janthinomis, eficiente vector de fiebre amarilla en Colombia. La zona es endémica para leishmaniasis y se identificaron 20 especies de Lutzomyia. Entre los vectores de malaria, las principales especies encontradas fueron Anopheles nuñeztovari y An. pseudopunctipennis. Conclusión. En la zona de Porce II y Porce III existe diversidad de vectores de importancia en salud pública, que es necesario continuar vigilando para minimizar el riesgo de transmisión de enfermedades a los trabajadores de las obras y comunidades aledañas.

Introduction. Entomological studies conducted in large hydroelectric infrastructure projects are a tool for the prevention and control of vector-borne diseases. These diseases emerge as a consequence of changes made to the terrain that often increase the natural and artificial mosquito larval habitats. Many of these insects are of public health importance and population increases result in an increased risk of disease transmission. Objective. The culicine (mosquito) and phlebotomine (sand fly) populations were characterized in the area of the Porce II and Porce III hydroelectric projects of Antioquia between 1990 to 2009. Materials and methods. Periodical entomological samplings were made in the area of impact, in the workers camps, and construction sites. Adult specimens were captured with nets, Shannon light traps, CDC light traps, and protected human bait. Results. Mosquito larvae of the following species were identified: Culex coronator, Culex nigripalpus, Culex corniger, Culex quinquefasciatus and Limatus durhami. The most frequently identifiers of larval habitats were low tanks, waste cans, tires, and aquatic plants. Aedes aegypti specimens were captured in only two rural locations from two municipalities within the area of influence. Specimens from the following mosquito genera were captured in forest areas: Aedes, Mansonia, Culex, Psorophora, Wyeomyia, Phonyomyia, Uranotaenia, Haemagogus and Sabethes. The most important mosquito found was Haemogogus janthinomis, an efficient yellow fever vector in Colombia. The area has been endemic for leishmaniasis and in the current study, 20 species of Lutzomyia sand flies, potential vectors, were identified. Among malaria vectors, the most important species found in the area were Anopheles nuneztovari and Anopheles pseudopunctipennis. Conclusion. A wide variety of vectors were discovered in the area of the Porce II and Porce III hydroelectric projects, and many of these were relevant for public health. Further monitoring will be necessary to minimize disease transmission risks among the workers and the inhabitants of the surrounding areas.

[Twenty-year surveillance of insects relevant to public health during the construction of hydroelectric facilities in Antioquia, Colombia]. / Vigilancia de insectos de importancia en salud pública durante la construcción de los proyectos hidroeléctricos Porce II y Porce III, Antioquia, Colombia, 1990-2009.

INTRODUCTION: Entomological studies conducted in large hydroelectric infrastructure projects are a tool for the prevention and control of vector-borne diseases. These diseases emerge as a consequence of changes made to the terrain that often increase the natural and artificial mosquito larval habitats. Many of these insects are of public health importance and population increases result in an increased risk of disease transmission. OBJECTIVE: The culicine (mosquito) and phlebotomine (sand fly) populations were characterized in the area of the Porce II and Porce III hydroelectric projects of Antioquia between 1990 to 2009. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Periodical entomological samplings were made in the area of impact, in the workers camps, and construction sites. Adult specimens were captured with nets, Shannon light traps, CDC light traps, and protected human bait. RESULTS: Mosquito larvae of the following species were identified: Culex coronator, Culex nigripalpus, Culex corniger, Culex quinquefasciatus and Limatus durhami. The most frequently identifiers of larval habitats were low tanks, waste cans, tires, and aquatic plants. Aedes aegypti specimens were captured in only two rural locations from two municipalities within the area of influence. Specimens from the following mosquito genera were captured in forest areas: Aedes, Mansonia, Culex, Psorophora, Wyeomyia, Phonyomyia, Uranotaenia, Haemagogus and Sabethes. The most important mosquito found was Haemogogus janthinomis, an efficient yellow fever vector in Colombia. The area has been endemic for leishmaniasis and in the current study, 20 species of Lutzomyia sand flies, potential vectors, were identified. Among malaria vectors, the most important species found in the area were Anopheles nuneztovari and Anopheles pseudopunctipennis. CONCLUSION: A wide variety of vectors were discovered in the area of the Porce II and Porce III hydroelectric projects, and many of these were relevant for public health. Further monitoring will be necessary to minimize disease transmission risks among the workers and the inhabitants of the surrounding areas.

Sandfly Lutzomyia longipalpis in cutaneous leishmaniasis focus in Central Colombia

Lutzomyia longipalpis, 15 other species of the genus Lutzomyia, and one species of Brumptomyia were collected in an endemic focus of cutaneous leishmaniasis in a river canyon 450 m above sea-level, in Rio Claro, Antioquia, Colombia. The presence of Lu. longipalpis is associated with the destruction of the primary forest and the development of new farmland and rural settlement in this region. The composition of species identified a different habitat for Lu. longipalpis in Colombia. Lu. yuilli and Lu. longipalpis were predominant (68.26 per cent) followed by Lu. trapidoi, Lu hartmani, Lu. triramula, Lu. panamensis, Lu. gomezi.