Effects and usages of permethrin-treated mosquito nets in the malaria control program in Honiara and the environs

Abstract

A total of 11,373 permethrin-treated mosquito nets was distributed to 64 villages from October 1993 to February 1996 in Honiara (an estimated population of 64,000), Solomon Islands, where other control measures had been implemented. As the result, the malaria incidence by passive case detection (PCD) dropped to 44.4% from a peak of 1,087/I,000 in 1993 to 605 in 1995, and is projected to drop to 182 in the end of 1996. A population cross-sectional distribution of 2,000 Olyset(R) nets (permethrin- pretreated) to pregnant women dropped the number of monthly infected babies from 110.to 54, and the ratio of low-birth-weight babies below 2.1 kg from 4.2% to 1.9 in 2 months. The distribution of Olyset nets to the 15 Guadalcanal villages also dropped the monthly number of PCD incidence from 120 to 58 for a period of I0 months. An interview survey showed only 50% of Honiarans had mosquito nets, 91% complied with them, washed them 1.45 times a year without retreatment, and an owner of 0.8-1.0 net was infected less with malaria. Complete net coverage and retreatment were urged for further effects.