Effect of Insecticidal Nets on Sand Fly Bites in India and Nepal
Author Information
Author(s): Gidwani Kamlesh, Picado Albert, Rijal Suman, Singh Shri Prakash, Roy Lalita, Volfova Vera, Andersen Elisabeth Wreford, Uranw Surendra, Ostyn Bart, Sudarshan Medhavi, Chakravarty Jaya, Volf Petr, Sundar Shyam, Boelaert Marleen, Rogers Matthew Edward
Primary Institution: Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
Hypothesis
Do long-lasting insecticidal nets reduce exposure to sand fly bites in visceral leishmaniasis endemic areas?
Conclusion
Long-lasting insecticidal nets have a limited effect on reducing sand fly exposure in communities affected by visceral leishmaniasis in India and Nepal.
Supporting Evidence
- Long-lasting insecticidal nets reduced exposure to P. argentipes by 12% at 12 months and 9% at 24 months.
- Similar reductions were observed for P. papatasi.
- Antibody levels to sand fly saliva decreased in the intervention group compared to controls.
Takeaway
The study found that using special nets to keep sand flies away only slightly helped reduce bites from these insects in areas where a disease called visceral leishmaniasis is common.
Methodology
The study used a paired-cluster randomized controlled trial design, measuring antibody responses to sand fly saliva in participants over two years.
Potential Biases
Potential biases may arise from differential dropout rates between intervention and control groups.
Limitations
The study may not account for all factors influencing sand fly exposure, and the effectiveness of the nets may vary based on usage and environmental conditions.
Participant Demographics
Participants were individuals above 15 years of age from 26 VL-endemic clusters in India and Nepal.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Confidence Interval
95% CI 0.83–0.94
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website