Abstract
BackgroundOne of the best ways to prevent malaria is the use of insecticide-treated bed nets. Manufacturers pursue easier, safer and more efficient nets. Hence, many studies on the efficacy and wash resistance using World Health Organization standards have been reported. The commonly used detergent is “Savon de Marseille”, because it closely resembles actually used soaps. At the 54th Collaborative International Pesticides Analytical Council (CIPAC) Technical Meeting in 2010, it was suggested to replace it by a standardized “CIPAC washing agent”. The aim of this study was to investigate the difference between a laboratory hand washing simulation using the CIPAC washing agent (method-1) and a domestic washing (method-2) on different bed nets, as well as the effect of the drying process on the release of active ingredient.MethodsInterceptor®, Permanet®2.0 and Netprotect® nets were used in three treatments, each repeated 20 times. The first treatment included method-1 washing and indoor drying. The second treatment included method-2 washing and indoor drying. The third treatment used method-2 washing and UV-drying. The residual insecticide contents were determined using gas chromatography.ResultsThe washing procedure and the number of washes have a significant effect on the release of active ingredient. Statistically, the two washing methods have the same effect on removing the active ingredient from the Interceptor® and Permanet®2.0 net, but a significantly different influence on the Netprotect® nets. The drying process has no significant effect on the insecticide.ConclusionBoth washing procedures affected the amount of insecticide remaining on nets independently of the impregnation technology. The active ingredient decreases with the number of washing cycles following an exponential or logarithmic model for coated nets. The laboratory hand washing simulation had more impact on the decrease of active ingredient content of the Netprotect® nets. All net types seemed to be effectively protected against UV-light.
Highlights
One of the best ways to prevent malaria is the use of insecticide-treated bed nets
Two types of coated nets were used for this study: InterceptorH nets treated with alpha-cypermethrin (200 mg a.i./m2 of net) provided by BASF Chemical Company and PermaNetH2.0 nets treated with deltamethrin (55 mg a.i./m2 of net) provided by Vestergaar Frandsen SA
Many studies confirmed that the washing process affects significantly the release of active ingredient content from the nets [12,34,35]
Summary
One of the best ways to prevent malaria is the use of insecticide-treated bed nets. In order to control and prevent this disease, governments, researchers and manufactures work together to find the best solution. In 1991–92, the World Health Organization (WHO) organized 3 interregional meetings to develop an updated global strategy to fight malaria. Vector control remains the most generally effective measure to prevent malaria transmission. It is one of the basic technical elements of the Global Malaria Control Strategy [3,4]. One of the best methods to prevent malaria still is the use of bed nets treated with insecticides [5,6,7,8]
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