Insecticide-Laden Paint: A Promising Malaria Control Tool for Late Night Sleepers

Abstract

The use of long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) is the most common malaria control measure in the Tropics. LLIN target populations that can sleep under the net at mosquito biting hours. Hence, it may not be effective for people engaged in night reading, and other late-night sleepers who are exposed to mosquito bites before actually sleeping under the nets. A longitudinal study was carried out to assess the efficacy of Insecticide-Laden Paint (ILP) in the control of malaria. Bioassay was done by exposing Anopheles mosquitoes to the ILP using Poly vinyl chloride (PVC) cone for 30 minutes. Two hundred and fifty students from a boarding secondary school participated in the study. They were shared into two study groups: group 1- those who read in reading rooms painted with insecticidal paint and group 2- those who read in reading room without insecticidal paint. The prevalence of Plasmodium infection prior ILP was 19.6%. The mean infection incidence among the intervention and non-intervention groups was 5.1% and 9.5% respectively (P > 0.05). At the first quadrimester, 100.0% by 15 minutes of exposure. However, by the third quadrimester total knocked down extended to 30 minutes. The exposure of mosquito to the paint in experimental box showed preference of mosquito for alternative landing place. None of the exposed mosquitoes revived despite 24 hours in holding cup. The study shows a measure of protection while in reading room painted with insecticidal paint. The use of ILP bridges gap between dinner and bedtime.