A DELTAMETHRIN TABLET FORMULATION FOR THE TREATMENT OF BEDNETS

Abstract:
There is an increasing trend to use insecticide impregnated bednets for major interventions in malaria programs today. Deltamethrin has proved to be one of the most effective insecticides for vector control, especially under varying climatic conditions, and is already the most widely used insecticide for impregnating bednets for effective long term control of malaria. Four experiments are described, evaluating efficacy, wash-fastness, and user-acceptability. The first three methods describe different bednet laboratory tests with or without washing against Anopheles arabiensis and Culex quinquefasciatus. The fourth describes a field trial evaluating the user-acceptability of the new tablet formulation of deltamethrin for insecticide treatment of bednets. The tests show that the new tablet formulation containing 25% deltamethrin has the same or better efficacy than the current SC 1% formulation of deltamethrin for insecticide treatment of bednets, even after repeated washing. The assessment of useracceptability of the tablet formulation has shown a good acceptance by the population in a malaria-endemic region, mainly due to of ease of use and safety of storage. Overall it can be said that the new tablet formulation of deltamethrin is a good and acceptable alternative to the currently available liquid formulations used for impregnating bednets.