Abstract
BackgroundDengue is an arthropod-borne viral disease responsible for approximately 400 million infections annually; the only available method of prevention is vector control. It has been previously demonstrated that insecticide treated curtains (ITCs) can lower dengue vector infestations in and around houses. As part of a larger trial examining whether ITCs could reduce dengue transmission in Iquitos, Peru, the objective of this study was to characterize the participants’ experience with the ITCs using qualitative methods.MethodsKnowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) surveys (at baseline, and 9 and 27 months post-ITC distribution, with n = 593, 595 and 511, respectively), focus group discussions (at 6 and 12 months post-ITC distribution, with n = 18 and 33, respectively), and 11 one-on-one interviews (at 12 months post-distribution) were conducted with 605 participants who received ITCs as part of a cluster-randomized trial.ResultsFocus groups at 6 months post-ITC distribution revealed that individuals had observed their ITCs to function for approximately 3 months, after which they reported the ITCs were no longer working. Follow up revealed that the ITCs required re-treatment with insecticide at approximately 1 year post-distribution. Over half (55.3 %, n = 329) of participants at 9 months post-ITC distribution and over a third (34.8 %, n = 177) at 27 months post-ITC distribution reported perceiving a decrease in the number of mosquitoes in their home. The percentage of participants who would recommend ITCs to their family or friends in the future remained high throughout the study (94.3 %, n = 561 at 9 months and 94.6 %, n = 488 at 27 months post-distribution). When asked why, participants reported that ITCs were effective at reducing mosquitoes (81.6 and 37.8 %, at 9 and 27 months respectively), that they prevent dengue (5.7 and 51.2 %, at 9 and 27 months), that they are “beautiful” (5.9 and 3.1 %), as well as other reasons (6.9 and 2.5 %).ConclusionITCs have substantial potential for long term dengue vector control because they are liked by users, both for their perceived effectiveness and for aesthetic reasons, and because they require little proactive behavioral effort on the part of the users. Our results highlight the importance of gathering process (as opposed to outcome) data during vector control studies, without which researchers would not have become aware that the ITCs had lost effectiveness early in the trial.
Highlights
Dengue is an arthropod-borne viral disease responsible for approximately 400 million infections annually; the only available method of prevention is vector control
Each household decided on the number of Insecticide treated curtains (ITC) they would receive: the median number of ITCs distributed per house in this study was five, with a range of 1 to 15
KAP surveys Perceived effectiveness At 9 months post-ITC distribution, over half of participants responded that they saw a drop in the amount of mosquitoes in the home, but a third of participants responded that they saw a drop only for a few months (Table 2)
Summary
Dengue is an arthropod-borne viral disease responsible for approximately 400 million infections annually; the only available method of prevention is vector control. Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, dengue virus vectors in Latin America, transmit Chikungunya and Zika viruses, which are increasing as well [4, 5]. Most vector control strategies target immature Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, typically in containers used for water storage near the human habitations where they proliferate; such strategies only decrease mosquito vector density and do not reduce the longevity of adult mosquitoes [9]. Insecticide-treated curtains (ITCs) and insecticide-treated screens can be an effective household-level Ae. aegypti control measures that reduce the number of adult mosquitoes in homes [14,15,16,17,18]. In order for ITCs to be an effective vector control tool, it is imperative to understand why people do or do not accept and continue to utilize ITCs over time
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
