Assessment of the Efficacy of Deltamethrin Impregnated Bed Nets for the Control of Malaria Infection in Ono Village, Akwa Ibom State Nigeria

Abstract

The impact of deltamethrin treated bednets and walls were assessed on school children aged 12-18 years, in a community secondary school in Ono, Nigeria. Children with body weights of 45-60kg were given 2 tablets of fansidar to clear parasites in their system while those with body weights of 60kg and above were given 3 tablets each. The school children who tested negative for malaria after two weeks were enrolled for the study. These subjects were divided into four groups – control, users of ordinary bednets, deltamethrin-treated nets and, deltamethrin-treated nets and walls. Deltamethrin concentration of 20 ml per 5 liters of water was used for wall treatment while 25ml per 5 liters of water was used for nets. Packed cell volume (P.C.V.) was determined using microhaematocrit centrifuge method to access the level of anaemia with parasitaemia. Entomological surveillance was carried out on monthly bases in both the control and intervention dormitori9es. After eight months of close monitoring, the control group had a cumulative infection rate of 59% with mean haemoglobin percentage of 29.6±0.2 gm%; deltamethruin treated nets 25.0%, mean haemoglobin 34.6gm% and deltamethrin treated nets and walls act as a barrier to prevent human vector contact as well as killing the mosquito that come in contact with the nets and walls. Hence there is marked increase in the haemoglobin percentage and health of the subjects thus leading to improved performance in examination results. Children living in mosquito endemic areas should be encouraged to use pyrethroid treated mosquito nets since they have been proved to have no side effects and the chemicals are found to be biodegradable. Mary Slessor Journal of Medicine Vol.3(2) 2003: 57-65