Feasibility and acceptability of insecticide-treated plastic sheeting (ITPS) for vector control in Papua New Guinea

Justin Pulford,Anthony Tandrapah,Tanya Russell,Jo-An Atkinson,Brown Kaupa,Manuel W Hetzel

doi:10.1186/1475-2875-11-342

Abstract

BackgroundThis study assessed the feasibility and acceptability of utilizing insecticide-treated plastic sheeting (ITPS) as a malaria control intervention in Papua New Guinea (PNG).MethodsZeroVector® ITPS was installed in 40 homes across four study sites representing a cross section of malaria transmission risk and housing style. Structured questionnaires were completed at the time of ITPS installation (n=40) and at four weeks post installation (n=40) with the household head. Similarly, group interviews with the male and/or female household heads were completed at installation (n=5) and four-week follow-up (n=4).ResultsZeroVector® ITPS was successfully installed in a range of homes employing traditional and/or modern building materials in PNG. The ITPS installations remained intact over the course of the four-week trial period and were highly acceptable to both male and female household heads. No dissatisfaction with the ITPS product was reported at four-week follow-up; however, the installation process was time consuming, participants reported a reduction in mosquito net use following ITPS installation and many participants expressed concern about the longevity of ITPS over the longer term.ConclusionZeroVector® ITPS installation is feasible and highly acceptable in a diverse range of PNG contexts and is likely to be favourably received as a vector control intervention if accessible en masse. A longer-term evaluation is required before firm policy or public health decisions can be made regarding the potential application of ITPS in the national malaria control programme. The positive study findings suggest a longer-term evaluation of this promising malaria control intervention warrants consideration.

Highlights

This study assessed the feasibility and acceptability of utilizing insecticide-treated plastic sheeting (ITPS) as a malaria control intervention in Papua New Guinea (PNG)
The findings presented in this paper indicate that ZeroVectorW ITPS can be successfully affixed in a range of homes employing traditional and/or modern building materials in PNG
The findings further indicate that ZeroVectorW ITPS is durable over the short-term and is highly acceptable to male and female householders residing in malaria endemic and epidemic prone regions of PNG

Summary

Introduction

This study assessed the feasibility and acceptability of utilizing insecticide-treated plastic sheeting (ITPS) as a malaria control intervention in Papua New Guinea (PNG). The ITPS installations remained intact over the course of the four-week trial period and were highly acceptable to both male and female household heads. Conclusion: ZeroVectorW ITPS installation is feasible and highly acceptable in a diverse range of PNG contexts and is likely to be favourably received as a vector control intervention if accessible en masse. The positive study findings suggest a longer-term evaluation of this promising malaria control intervention warrants consideration. Longlasting, insecticide-treated mosquito nets (LLIN) are the mainstay of the PNG NMCP with plans to distribute over six million LLINs free of charge countrywide during the course of the Round 8 GFATM grant (2009–2014). Additional methods of malaria control may be required to achieve a significant and sustained reduction in malaria in PNG [2]

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion