Abstract
Background: Monitoring vector-borne diseases requires sampling of very large numbers of disease vectors in order to corroborate infections in the human population. This can be challenging, as current vector collection tools are either inefficient, or expensive to implement from a public health perspective. To circumvent this challenge, this study compared a community vector collection strategy using a double-netted mosquito collection method (a tent trap (TT)) to the traditional human landing collection (HLC) method in three communities in lymphatic filariasis-endemic districts in Ghana. Methods: Following community entry and sensitization, community volunteers appointed by the community leaders were trained in the mosquito collection and storage methods and provided with supplies for mosquito collection over a 7-month period. They were visited occasionally by the study team to retrieve the mosquito samples for identification. The collectors were also assessed to evaluate their perspectives on using community vector collectors for monitoring vector-borne diseases. Results: The results of the study indicated that the TT method collected significantly more mosquitoes (63%) over the collection period than HLC (37%). Thus, the TTs were observed to be performing relatively better than the HLC (P<0.001). The collectors knew the importance of mosquitoes in transmitting diseases, could identify the main diseases that were locally transmitted within their communities. They appreciated the involvement of the community in the collection as this enhanced community ownership of the programme as well as providing some financial incentives to those directly involved in the collection. Conclusions: The study revealed that use of community volunteers for the collection of mosquitoes for xenomonitoring purposes can be a viable strategy in the monitoring of vector-borne diseases. However, further development of the strategies and assessments of the costs involved will be required to make this a sustainable approach to monitoring vector-borne disease interventions and enhance community ownership of the programmes.
Highlights
Vector-borne diseases remain an important threat to the health of the human population
While significant efforts and achievements have been made in the control of such diseases, through vector control such as indoor residual sprays (IRS), use of long-lasting insecticide nets (LLINs)[5,6] and treatment of endemic populations[7,8], there is a need to assess the effectiveness of these interventions
The average monthly collections revealed higher collections by the tent traps (TT) compared to the HCL, with significant differences observed during the dry season months of August, “They suck blood and contain parasites in them to give diseases”
Summary
Vector-borne diseases remain an important threat to the health of the human population. The authors state that the human landing catch is ethically questionable and I think there are lots of arguments for this position, to support this statement, they cite a study that shows significantly less malaria detected in HLC collectors than in the general population. Comment: The authors state that the human landing catch is ethically questionable and I think there are lots of arguments for this position, to support this statement, they cite a study that shows significantly less malaria detected in HLC collectors than in the general population. Monitoring vector-borne diseases requires sampling of very large numbers of disease vectors in order to corroborate infections in the human population This can be challenging, as current vector collection tools are either inefficient, or expensive to implement from a public health perspective. Further development of the strategies and assessments of the costs involved will be required to make this a sustainable approach to monitoring vector-borne
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