Mosquito Mesh Research Articles

Assessment of mosquito mesh sizes available in Enugu metropolis

Introduction: The mosquito-vector is known to be associated with a number of parasitic and arboviruses that have been known to cause human diseases. Control of mosquito-borne diseases depends heavily on our capacity to regulate the vector that causes these diseases.Method: A cross-sectional study was carried out on 240 different houses within Enugu metropolis between October and December 2021. The mesh sizes of windows and door nets were measured using the meter rule in mm.Result: A total number of 240 houses were covered by mesh sizes ranging between 1.0 and 4.0 mm, and the statistical analysis revealed a higher percentage of 56% for mesh sizes ranging between 1.6 mm and 4.0 mm, a moderate percentage of 31% for mesh sizes ranging between 1.2-1.5 mm, and the lowest percentage of 13% for mesh sizes ranging between 1.2-1.5 mm.Conclusion: This finding from this study revealed a need to improve community knowledge and perception of the various mesh sizes available and the standard mosquito mesh size required to reduce threats posed by mosquito vectors and preclude the spread of diseases caused by mosquitoes. Such awareness will increase the willingness of householders to implement other approaches and modifications, which include obstructing portals of entry for mosquitoes and shutting doors and windows at night.

Prospective, randomized clinical trial of laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal inguinal hernia repair using conventional versus custom-made (mosquito) mesh performed in Cameroon: a short-term outcomes.

Adverse economic conditions often prevent the widespread implementation of modern surgical techniques in third world countries such as in Sub-Sahara Africa. To demonstrate that a modern technique (laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal inguinal hernioplasty [TEP]) can safely be performed at significantly lower cost using inexpensive mesh material. Douala University Hospital Gynecology, Obstetrics and Pediatrics and two affiliated centers, Ayos Regional Hospital and Edéa Regional Hospital in Cameroon. Prospective randomized controlled trial (RCT) of consecutive adult patients presenting with primary inguinal hernia treated by TEP, comparing implantation of sterilized mosquito mesh (MM) with conventional polypropylene mesh (CM). Primary endpoints were peroperative, early and midterm postoperative complications and hernia recurrence at 30months. Sixty-two patients (48 males) were randomized to MM (n = 32) or CM (n = 30). Groups were similar in age distribution and occupational features. Peroperative and early outcomes differed in terms of conversion rate (2/32 MM) due to external (electrical power supply) factors and mesh removal for early obstruction (1/30 CM). No outcome differences, including no recurrences, were noted after a median follow-up of 21months. In this RCT with medium-term follow-up, TEP performed with MM appears not inferior to CM.

P067 HUMANITARIAN HERNIA SURGERY - 10 YEARS OF PERSONAL EXPERIENCE AND THE SAFETY OF LDPE MOSQUITO MESH

Abstract Aim Many people from low-income countries suffer from late or no treatment of incarcerated hernias. That can cause permanent consequences or even death. Hernia International is a 100% volunteer organisation, delivering humanitarian hernia surgery in the countries of the third world. A LDPE mosquito mesh is widely used. Its safety and full functionality was described. Material and Methods A LDPE Mosquito mesh was a subject of testing for a heavy metal content; the same-size piece of a mosquito mesh, and a standard commercial mesh, were tested by spectral photometry. I have had the chance to join 11 international voluntary teams in the years of 2011-2019. More than 1000 procedures were performed, including large inguinoscrotal, incisional, and pediatric hernias. The conditions were often very basic, and a LDPE mosquito mesh and local anaeshesia were used in most adult cases. Results The test shows comparable or less presence of heavy metals in the LDPE mosquito mesh, in comparison with a standard polypropylene mesh. A very low number of early post-op complications, such as haematoma and wound infection, were recorded (less than 1%) in a group of patients operated during voluntary missions. 1-2 local young surgeons were trained in basic hernia procedures. Conclusions Hernia International provides a high-quality surgical care to the patients from the developing countries. Using a mosquito mesh is a safe and effective method with a comparable low complication rate but with minimal costs.

Alterations in the mechanical, chemical and biocompatibility properties of low-cost polyethylene and polyester meshes after steam sterilization

IntroductionIn Africa and other Low Resource Settings (LRS), the guideline-based and thus in most cases mesh-based treatment of inguinal hernias is only feasible to a very limited extent. This has led to an increased use of low cost meshes (LCMs, mostly mosquito meshes) for patients in LRS. Most of the LCMs used are made of polyethylene or polyester, which must be sterilized before use. The aim of our investigations was to determine changes in the biocompatibility of fibroblasts as well as mechanical and chemical properties of LCMs after steam sterilization.Material and methodsTwo large-pored LCMs made of polyester and polyethylene in a size of 11 x 6 cm were cut and steam sterilized at 100, 121 and 134 °C. These probes and non-sterile meshes were then subjected to mechanical tensile tests in vertical and horizontal tension, chemical analyses and biocompatibility tests with human fibroblasts. All meshes were examined by stereomicroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), LDH (cytotoxicity) measurement, viability testing, pH, lactate and glycolysis determination.ResultsEven macroscopically, polyethylene LCMs showed massive shrinkage after steam sterilization, especially at 121 and 134 °C. While polyester meshes showed no significant changes after sterilization with regard to deformation and damage as well as tensile force and stiffness, only the unsterile polyethylene mesh and the mesh sterilized at 100 °C could be tested mechanically due to the shrinkage of the other specimen. For these meshes the tensile forces were about four times higher than for polyester LCMs. Chemical analysis showed that the typical melting point of polyester LCMs was between 254 and 269 °C. Contrary to the specifications, the polyethylene LCM did not consist of low-density polyethylene, but rather high-density polyethylene and therefore had a melting point of 137 °C, so that the marked shrinkage described above occurred. Stereomicroscopy confirmed the shrinkage of polyethylene LCMs already after sterilization at 100 °C in contrast to polyester LCMs. Surprisingly, cytotoxicity (LDH measurement) was lowest for both non-sterile LCMs, while polyethylene LCMs sterilized at 100 and 121 °C in particular showed a significant increase in cytotoxicity 48 hours after incubation with fibroblasts. Glucose metabolism showed no significant changes between sterile and non-sterile polyethylene and polyester LCMs.ConclusionThe process of steam sterilization significantly alters mechanical and structural properties of synthetic hernia mesh implants. Our findings do not support a use of low-cost meshes because of their unpredictable properties after steam sterilization.

Cost effective use of mosquito net mesh in inguinal hernia repair

Mesh hernia repair is one of the commonest open techniques of inguinal hernia repair. The main limiting factor in the use of new meshes is the cost. We carried out a prospective randomized double blind study and comprising of a hundred patients with 100 inguinal hernias admitted consecutively for elective surgery, divided into the polypropylene mesh (PPM) group and the mosquito net mesh (MNM) group each containing fifty patients. All cases were completed successfully and results revealed no difference in two groups. The results of the present study, in consistent with the published literature, reveal that the cheap indigenous mosquito mesh, which has similar properties of an imported mesh, can be safely used for tension-free inguinal hernia repair in adults. Further trials with a larger number of patients and longer follow-ups are justified and recommended.

A cross sectional study on knowledge, attitude and practices regarding vector borne diseases in the urban field practice area of a medical college

Background: Vector borne diseases are more prevalent in third world countries and are on an upward trend. The objectives were to study the demographic profile of the study population and assess their knowledge, attitude and practices regarding vector borne diseases. Methods: This is a cross sectional study done on 259 study subjects, conducted in July 2017 in the field practice area of the urban health centre of Malla Reddy Institute of Medical Sciences. A convenient sample of 250 was decided to be covered over a period of one month. A total of 259 subjects could be interviewed. Results: Majority were educated up to high school (48.25). Majority of female subjects were homemakers (77.2%) and majority of the males were skilled workers (33.7%). A total of 207 study subjects were found to have mosquito breeding places in their surroundings. Majority (28.5%) had open garbage bins with stagnant water as the chief source of mosquitos. Majority (89.2%) could name at least one disease spread by mosquitos and they mostly got their information from TV and newspaper (77.9%). Most common preventive measures followed by was mosquito mesh and screens (53.5%). Conclusions: Knowledge levels of the populations must be increased through various information, education and communication (IEC) campaigns.

Spatial and temporal mangrove litter production in Barra de Navidad lagoon, Jalisco, México

Barra de Navidad lagoon is a coastal wetland of international importance (Ramsar site) and it is included among the 81 Mexican mangrove priority sites. One of the most valued characteristics of this lagoon is the presence of mangrove forest in a good conservation state. The goal of our research was the measurement of mangrove litter production and environmental factors influencing its dynamics. The mangrove area was divided into seven zones and litterfall was monthly sampled from November 2011 to October 2012 using 0.25 m(2) square collectors made with mosquito mesh (1 mm) and positioned at 1.3 m above the ground. Abiotic variables of the interstitial water were measured simultaneously at each zone in permanent plots using a multi-parameter probe, YSI-556-M. Total mean value of litterfall production, weighted by zone surface, was 19.12 ± 1.23 gPS/m(2).mo (2.29 t/ha.year). This low productivity is a consequence of the region’s dry climate and low tide range. The species Avicennia germinans and Laguncularia racemosa produced more than 80 % of total litterfall, while Rhizophora mangle contributed only 16 % and Conocarpus erectus < 4 %. A significant correlation between litterfall production and abiotic variables was found (e.g. salinity and interstitial water depth). We concluded that there are significant spatial variations in soil abiotic variables which are correlated with differences in mangrove species composition, and produce, together with the life cycles stages of those species, significant variations in the quantity and composition of litterfall. Future research will be focused on quantifying spatial variations in forest structure and their relationship with litterfall production.

A Randomized Trial of Low-Cost Mesh in Groin Hernia Repair

BackgroundThe most effective method for repair of a groin hernia involves the use of a synthetic mesh, but this type of mesh is unaffordable for many patients in low- and middle-income countries. Sterilized mosquito meshes have been used as a lower-cost alternative but have not been rigorously studied.MethodsWe performed a double-blind, randomized, controlled trial comparing low-cost mesh with commercial mesh (both lightweight) for the repair of a groin hernia in adult men in eastern Uganda who had primary, unilateral, reducible groin hernias. Surgery was performed by four qualified surgeons. The primary outcomes were hernia recurrence at 1 year and postoperative complications.ResultsA total of 302 patients were included in the study. The follow-up rate was 97.3% after 2 weeks and 95.6% after 1 year. Hernia recurred in 1 patient (0.7%) assigned to the low-cost mesh and in no patients assigned to the commercial mesh (absolute risk difference, 0.7 percentage points; 95% confidence interval [CI], −1.2 to 2.6; P=1.0). Postoperative complications occurred in 44 patients (30.8%) assigned to the low-cost mesh and in 44 patients (29.7%) assigned to the commercial mesh (absolute risk difference, 1.0 percentage point; 95% CI, −9.5 to 11.6; P=1.0).ConclusionsRates of hernia recurrence and postoperative complications did not differ significantly between men undergoing hernia repair with low-cost mesh and those undergoing hernia repair with commercial mesh. (Funded by the Swedish Research Council and others; Current Controlled Trials number, ISRCTN20596933.)

Low-cost mosquito mesh effective for hernia repair

Low-cost mosquito mesh effective for hernia repair

Mechanical properties of mosquito nets in the context of hernia repair

The paper deals with issue of applying mosquito nets as implants in hernia repair, which have already been used in resource-poor developing countries. Uniaxial tensile tests have been conducted on polyester mosquito meshes in two orthogonal directions. Non-linear elastic constitutive laws parameters have been identified to be applied in dense net material models. Mechanical performance of tested mosquito nets has been compared with properties of commercial implants used in treatment of hernia and with properties of human tissue. This study contributes to mechanical knowledge of hernia repair issue by investigation of cheaper alternative to commercial implants.

Comment to: The use of sterilized mosquito nets for hernioplasty: a systematic review. Sørensen CG, Rosenberg J. Hernia 2012; 16: 621–625

We feel this review falls somewhat short of an unambiguous opinion as to the value of such an innovative approach to hernioplasty given the wealth of evidence demonstrating the worth of mosquito nets in low-income and resourcepoor countries [1]. The cost of an individual sterilized mosquito-mesh patch for inguinal hernioplasty is negligible and estimated at $US 2 which is significantly lower than the price we all pay in the developed world. We recently visited The Gambia which is a densely populated country in western sub-Saharan Africa where over 80 % of the population live on less than $US 2 a day. As in many similar countries, the burden of surgical disease [2] in combination with the lack of human resources (qualified surgeons) and health care facilities (an equipped and functioning operating room) is difficult to appreciate unless experienced first hand. More importantly and irrespective of the purpose of surgical ‘‘humanitarian missions’’ can the use of mosquito net meshes be quantified or validated for those who might remain skeptical? The Global Burden of Disease study [3] introduced the concept of disability-adjusted life-years (DALY) as a time-based measure of health that enables commensurable measurement of years of life lost due to premature mortality (YLLs) with years lived in less than ideal health [years lived with disability (YLDs)]. A mosquito net hernioplasty clearly lowers the patients’ YLD but more importantly can be achieved at a very low DALY rate as recently demonstrated in an analysis of 113 patients treated in Ghana [4]. Not only are mosquito net meshes safe but also they are truly cost-effective. It is some time since Lichtenstein described his innovative method, to the dismay of many in the surgical fraternity, to groin hernia repair. No doubt he would be delighted that his concept now reaches so many underprivileged patients. While mosquito net mesh ‘‘technology’’ seems to have been tested to the satisfaction of both surgeons and patients [1], we understand that further careful African rural audit is required. While we appreciate this may be difficult to achieve, we hope we can continue to rely on the help of profit-making companies in developed countries. Irrespective of this last comment and as stated by Dr Read in his editorial [5], Hernia is now a World Journal, so enthusiasm must be encouraged rather than possibly dampened as we have much more to accomplish as stressed by Chevrel [6] so many years ago when he said ‘‘Numerous problems are still without solutions today.’’