The operational costs of spraying residual insecticides: a case-study from Nepal.

Little attention has been paid to the cost implications of different insecticides for malaria control, particularly to the local (non-insecticide) costs. This study in Nepal explored the significance of operational costs in relation to insecticide cost and examined the extent to which operational costs varied for DDT, malathion and Ficam. A detailed analysis was done of costs relating to spraying, transport and safety. The study found that the operational cost differences were relatively small in comparison with the costs of the chemicals themselves and the cost of transporting them to Nepal, though DDT and Ficam had significantly lower operational costs than malathion. Operational costs were paid mainly by the Nepalese government and insecticide and external freight costs by donors.