Infectious Disease: Safety Net for Malaria?
2007

Effectiveness of Treated Nets Against Malaria

publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Mark Rowland, Pierre Guillet, Frank Collins

Primary Institution: London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine

Hypothesis

Are pyrethroid-treated nets losing their effectiveness in preventing malaria due to mosquito resistance?

Conclusion

The study found that treated nets killed only 30% of malaria-carrying mosquitoes in areas with high kdr gene prevalence, indicating a loss of effectiveness.

Supporting Evidence

  • Treated nets killed only 30% of mosquitoes with the kdr gene in Benin.
  • In areas without the kdr gene, treated nets killed 98% of mosquitoes.
  • Treated nets deterred 44% of resistant mosquitoes from entering huts.

Takeaway

Treated nets are supposed to protect people from malaria, but some mosquitoes are becoming resistant, making the nets less effective.

Methodology

The study involved volunteers staying in huts typical of the region to test the effectiveness of treated nets against mosquitoes.

Limitations

The study suggests that more research is needed to understand the broader implications of kdr resistance on malaria prevention.

Participant Demographics

Volunteers from the region stayed in typical huts.

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