Okoh Ngozi, Odikamnoro O. O and Uhuo A. C.
The study on lambdacyhalothrin (pyrethriod insecticide)-treated curtains, mats and blankets as alternative to insecticide treated bed-nets for mosquito control was conducted between January to November 2004. Sampling was done every month within the period. Thick and thin smear blood samples were taken from the index finger of pupils to detect Plasmodium parasites. Blood smear for parasite detection was done three times, monthly before and after the deployment of the treated materials. Two yards of curtain were soaked in 0.025mg/l or 0.001mg/l concentration of lambdacyhalothrin respectively. Same was done for local mats (from Pandanus sanderi) and blankets. Data collected were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) Chi-square and least significant difference (F-LSD = LSD) after a preliminary f-test. The result of the pre-test that necessitated the use of 0.025mg/l and 0.001mg/l of lambdacyhalothrin showed that in guinea pigs, there were no significant effects of the insecticide on haemoglobin values, packed cell volume, heart rate, respiration and temperature (p>0.01) examined respectively. Morbidity indicators studied were found to decline with the deployment of the household treated materials. Malaria prevalence also declined in sampled children. Before the deployment of the treated items, the percentage prevalence was 68.3%. By the end of the research, it dropped to 30.12%. Efficient malaria control, especially among children, often results from environmental improvements, such as good sanitation and destruction of mosquito-breeding sites while the effective use of insecticide treated nets will help reduce the incidence of malaria mostly among the predisposing group.
