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. 2007 Apr 18;2007(2):CD005434.
doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD005434.pub2.

Electronic mosquito repellents for preventing mosquito bites and malaria infection

A A Enayati  1 , J Hemingway, P Garner
Affiliations

Electronic mosquito repellents for preventing mosquito bites and malaria infection

A A Enayati et al. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. .

Abstract

Background: Electronic mosquito repellents (EMRs) are marketed to prevent mosquitoes biting and to prevent malaria.

Objectives: To assess whether EMRs prevent mosquito bites, and to assess any evidence of an effect on malaria infection.

Search strategy: In August 2006, we searched the Cochrane Infectious Diseases Group Specialized Register, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, LILACS, Cambridge Scientific Abstracts, and the Science Citation Index. We also checked conference proceedings, contacted international specialist centres and EMR manufacturers, and checked reference lists.

Selection criteria: Field entomological studies, which controlled for geographic site, time, and attractiveness of human participants, of EMRs for preventing mosquito bites; and randomized and quasi-randomized controlled trials of EMRs to prevent malaria infection.

Data collection and analysis: Two authors assessed trial quality, and extracted and analysed the data.

Main results: Ten field entomological studies met the inclusion criteria. All 10 studies found that there was no difference in the number of mosquitoes caught from the bare body parts of the human participants with or without an EMR. No randomized or quasi-randomized controlled trials on the efficacy of EMR on malaria infection were found.

Authors' conclusions: Field entomological studies confirm that EMRs have no effect on preventing mosquito bites. Therefore there is no justification for marketing them to prevent malaria infection.

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Conflict of interest statement

None known.

Update of

  • doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD005434

References

References to studies included in this review

Belton 1981 {published data only}
    1. Belton P. An acoustic evaluation of electronic mosquito repellers. Mosquito News 1981;41:751‐5.
Garcia 1976 {published data only}
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References to studies excluded from this review

Andrade 2001 {published data only}
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Singleton 1977 {published data only}
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