Hii J, Thakur G D, Marasini B R, Pokhrel Y R, Upadhyay M P, Rija K R, Adhikar N R, Pant S K, Ortega L, Singh N, Ghimire P
School of Public Health, Tropical Medicine and Rehabilitation Sciences, James Cook University, Australia.
Epidemiology and Disease Control Division, Department of Population Health, Kathmandu, Nepal.
WHO South East Asia J Public Health. 2014 Jan-Mar;3(1):81-84. doi: 10.4103/2224-3151.206891.
Understanding and improving the durability of long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) in the field is critical for the success of malaria prevention using mosquito nets, as well as contributing to procurement decisions based on the number of years of protection, rather than the current practice of unit cost. Using the recently published guidelines from the World Health Organization (WHO) some progress has been made in the monitoring and assessment of performance of nets in the field. This paper describes the protocol of an ongoing retrospective study of the attrition rate, physical integrity and bioefficacy of three polyester LLIN products that were distributed during 2010 to 2013 in Nepal. It is hoped that robust and auditable data on net survival (physical integrity and bioefficacy) of these three brands in different environments will assist the Nepal National Malaria Control Programme in planning future LLIN-replacement strategies, including behaviour-change communication about LLIN care and maintenance. The advantages and disadvantages of prospective and retrospective cross-sectional approaches are discussed, including appropriate strategies to validate the timing for mass distribution of nets. Similar studies should be done in other countries to (i) track LLIN durability to support management of resupply, and (ii) inform procurement decisions at the global level. New, more predictive, textile laboratory testing is also urgently needed.
了解并提高长效驱虫蚊帐（LLINs）在实际使用中的耐用性，对于使用蚊帐预防疟疾的成功至关重要，同时有助于基于保护年限而非当前按单位成本的做法来做出采购决策。根据世界卫生组织（WHO）最近发布的指南，在实地监测和评估蚊帐性能方面已取得一些进展。本文描述了一项正在进行的回顾性研究的方案，该研究针对2010年至2013年期间在尼泊尔分发的三种聚酯长效驱虫蚊帐产品的损耗率、物理完整性和生物效力进行研究。希望关于这三个品牌蚊帐在不同环境下的耐用性（物理完整性和生物效力）的可靠且可审计的数据，将有助于尼泊尔国家疟疾控制项目规划未来的长效驱虫蚊帐更换策略，包括开展关于长效驱虫蚊帐护理和维护的行为改变宣传。文中讨论了前瞻性和回顾性横断面方法的优缺点，包括验证蚊帐大规模分发时间的适当策略。其他国家也应开展类似研究，以（i）追踪长效驱虫蚊帐的耐用性，支持再供应管理，以及（ii）为全球层面的采购决策提供信息。此外，迫切需要新的、更具预测性的纺织品实验室检测。
