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Vector biting behaviour, community malaria infection risk, and field trial on repellent footwear in southern Mozambique

Thesis (PhD (Public Health))--University of Pretoria, 2024.

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Other Authors: Braack, LEO
Format: Thesis
Language:English
Published: University of Pretoria 2024
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access_status_str Open Access
author2 Braack, LEO
author_browse Braack, LEO
author_facet Braack, LEO
collection Thesis
dc_rights_str_mv © 2023 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria.
description Thesis (PhD (Public Health))--University of Pretoria, 2024.
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institution University of Pretoria (South Africa)
language English
last_indexed 2026-06-10T12:37:20.380Z
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provenance_str_mv Harvested via OAI-PMH from UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository
publishDate 2024
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publisher University of Pretoria
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source_str UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository
spelling oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/96885 Vector biting behaviour, community malaria infection risk, and field trial on repellent footwear in southern Mozambique Braack, LEO u17326339@tuks.co.za Riddin, Megan Salome, Graca UCTD Anopheles Biting behaviour Health knowledge Plasmodium prevalence IR3535 impregnated footwear Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) SDG-03: Good health and well-being Health Sciences theses SDG-03 SDG-06: Clean water and sanitation Health Sciences theses SDG-06 Thesis (PhD (Public Health))--University of Pretoria, 2024. Introduction: Effective control of malaria vectors requires targeting mosquitoes indoors and outdoors. The core interventions currently recommended by the World Health Organization are for large scale deployment of ITNs and IRS. These tools are deployed indoors and have been shown to be effective in protecting against mosquito bites and reducing malaria transmission across many settings. The emergence and spread of resistance to insecticides by mosquito vectors and the shift in vector populations towards those that feed outdoors and early in the evening when people are not protected by LLINs and or IRS, represent a substantial shortfall in protection. To address the outdoor biting and resistant vector populations, innovative interventions with new or existing tools need to be implemented. The efficacy of a repellent-impregnated footwear designed and produced as a controlled slow-release repellent system was tested for efficacy in the field and were contextualized with knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP), and prevalence surveys, as well as a comprehensive vector survey. Methods: For the mosquito vector survey, human landing catches were conducted over a 9-month period. Morphological and molecular identification, and assays for detection of Plasmodium circumsporozoite protein were performed. A cross-sectional design was used for the KAP survey and prevalence surveys. For the KAP survey, data were collected through questionnaires, while RDTs and microscope examination of finger-prick blood samples were used for population malaria infection rates. A randomized controlled field trial was conducted to determine the efficacy of the repellent-impregnated footwear. The number of collected mosquitoes was compared between groups and the protection efficacy was determined. Results: Seventy-six Anopheles arabiensis and 117 Anopheles funestus s.s. were identified among the 1802 Anopheles mosquitoes collected. One mosquito from each species was found harbouring Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite protein. Anopheles arabiensis was biting equally indoors and outdoors and early in the evening (χ2 = 0.48, df = 1, P = 0.53) while Anopheles funestus s.s. was biting more indoors and late at night (χ2 = 31.84, df = 1, P < 0.001). All the infected mosquitoes were collected biting outdoors, suggesting that transmission may be occurring outdoors. The KAP and prevalence surveys revealed that the level of knowledge (89.7%) and practices (89.7%) toward malaria are good, and the attitude (93.7%) is positive among the study participants. The prevalence of malaria was 11.9%. Residing in Conhane neighbourhood (aOR = 16.01, 95% CI 1.87-137.33, P = 0.011) and having a well as the source of water (aOR = 11.82 (95% CI 1.17-119.91, P = 0.037) were identified as risk factors for malaria infection. The repellent-impregnated footwear (mean rank = 214.44) did not show efficacy in reducing Anopheles mosquito bites when compared with the non-impregnated footwear (mean rank = 228.81) (adjusted P = 1). However, the footwear either impregnated or not reduced mosquito bites when compared with a bare foot (mean rank = 287.26) (adjusted P < 0.0001), suggesting that a physical barrier effect is present. Conclusions: This study brought evidence of Plasmodium falciparum infected mosquitoes biting outdoors early in the evening and late at night. This should inform the NMCP to include interventions for malaria vector control outdoors to improve vector control in the village. The KAP and prevalence surveys contributed to reinforcing the importance of the association between living conditions and the higher risk of malaria infection. Improvement in provision of protected sources of water should be considered toward contributing to decreasing risk of malaria infection in Conhane Village. The field trial suggests that the footwear was effective in reducing mosquito bites through a physical barrier effect as opposed to that of a repellent effect. Protection of the lower legs and feet against mosquito bites can be achieved by covering these areas with footwear or clothing. Further studies with repellent-based tools to target the lower limbs should be considered as previous testing of fibres impregnated with repellents were successful. Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG), Germany (grant number AN 212/22-2 School of Health Systems and Public Health (SHSPH) PhD (Public Health) Unrestricted Faculty of Health Sciences 2024-07-10T08:38:46Z 2024-07-10T08:38:46Z 2024-09 2024 Thesis * S2024 http://hdl.handle.net/2263/96885 10.25403/UPresearchdata.26119141 en © 2023 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. application/pdf University of Pretoria
spellingShingle UCTD
Anopheles
Biting behaviour
Health knowledge
Plasmodium prevalence
IR3535 impregnated footwear
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
SDG-03: Good health and well-being
Health Sciences theses SDG-03
SDG-06: Clean water and sanitation
Health Sciences theses SDG-06
Vector biting behaviour, community malaria infection risk, and field trial on repellent footwear in southern Mozambique
title Vector biting behaviour, community malaria infection risk, and field trial on repellent footwear in southern Mozambique
title_full Vector biting behaviour, community malaria infection risk, and field trial on repellent footwear in southern Mozambique
title_fullStr Vector biting behaviour, community malaria infection risk, and field trial on repellent footwear in southern Mozambique
title_full_unstemmed Vector biting behaviour, community malaria infection risk, and field trial on repellent footwear in southern Mozambique
title_short Vector biting behaviour, community malaria infection risk, and field trial on repellent footwear in southern Mozambique
title_sort vector biting behaviour community malaria infection risk and field trial on repellent footwear in southern mozambique
topic UCTD
Anopheles
Biting behaviour
Health knowledge
Plasmodium prevalence
IR3535 impregnated footwear
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
SDG-03: Good health and well-being
Health Sciences theses SDG-03
SDG-06: Clean water and sanitation
Health Sciences theses SDG-06
url http://hdl.handle.net/2263/96885