Abstract
A total of 876 nets (229 Interceptor®, 363 Olyset®, and 284 PermaNet®) were collected 14 months post-distribution of long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) from 811 households of internally displaced and host communities in Dar Sila District in eastern Chad to examine their physical condition. Holes were recorded by using three hole categories (average diameter = 2, 3.5, and 15 cm) and a Proportionate Hole Index (pHI). A total of 69.5% were in poor or very poor condition. There was no significant difference in the performance between the polyester 75 denier LLINs, but they had 4.22 times the odds of having a pHI ≥ 175 (poor or very poor condition) than polyethylene 150 denier LLINs; and 39.2% were unserviceable (pHI ≥ 300) compared with only 7.7% of the polyethylene LLINs. These results provide the first comparative data on LLIN material durability to guide procurement and replacement practice, and to inform urgently needed changes in LLIN international minimum specifications and product standards.
Highlights
The international public health community is currently focused on achieving the Millennium Development Goals; reducing infant and child mortality by two-thirds by 2015 is a central goal
The study results show that of the total long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) observed, less than one-third (30.5%) were in serviceable condition after an average of 14 months use in the semi-arid conditions of eastern Chad
The results show that 39.2% of PET75D and 7.7% of polyethylene 150D (PE-150D) were badly torn and considered unserviceable (Figure 1)
Summary
The international public health community is currently focused on achieving the Millennium Development Goals; reducing infant and child mortality by two-thirds by 2015 is a central goal. Current budgeting for LLIN distributions and subsequent replacement needs are based on an assumption that LLINs have an average useful life of 3–5 years.[4] there is a significant lack of research in LLIN survival time, the variation in performance between LLINs of different textiles, and the general environment in which the net is being used (climate, housing, sleeping place, and washing patterns). Acknowledging this deficit, the Vector Control Working Group of the Roll Back Malaria (RBM) Partnership has created a work stream that calls for more field research on LLIN durability.[5]
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