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. 2014 Feb 8:14:69.
doi: 10.1186/1471-2334-14-69.

Durability assessment results suggest a serviceable life of two, rather than three, years for the current long-lasting insecticidal (mosquito) net (LLIN) intervention in Benin

Virgile Gnanguenon  1 , Roseric Azondekon, Frederic Oke-Agbo, Raymond Beach, Martin Akogbeto
Affiliations

Durability assessment results suggest a serviceable life of two, rather than three, years for the current long-lasting insecticidal (mosquito) net (LLIN) intervention in Benin

Virgile Gnanguenon et al. BMC Infect Dis. .

Abstract

Background: LLIN distribution, every three years, is a key intervention of Benin's malaria control strategy. However, data from the field indicate that LLIN lifespan appears to vary based on both intrinsic (to the LLIN) and extrinsic factors.

Methods: We monitored two indicators of LLIN durability, survivorship and integrity, to validate the three-year-serviceable-life assumption. Interviews with net owners were used to identify factors associated with loss of integrity.

Results: Observed survivorship, after 18 months, was significantly less (p<0.0001) than predicted, based on the assumption that nets last three years. Instead, it was closer to predicted survivorship based on a two-year LLIN serviceable life assumption (p=0.03). Furthermore, the integrity of nearly one third of 'surviving' nets was so degraded that they were in need of replacement. Five factors: washing frequency, proximity to water for washing, location of kitchen, type of cooking fuel, and low net maintenance were associated with loss of fabric integrity.

Conclusion: A two-year serviceable life for the current LLIN intervention in Benin would be a more realistic program assumption.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Reproduced copy (with copyright) of Benin Map LLIN tracking assessment sites: Kessounou, Allada, Kandi and Malanville [11]
Figure 2
Figure 2
Estimated LLIN survival at 6, 12 and 18 months in four communities compared with NetCALC* 2-year, 3-year, 4-year, 5-year, 6-year and 7-year net loss model curves.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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