Use of Insecticide-Treated Clothes for Personal Protection against Malaria: A Community Trial

Elizabeth Kimani, African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC)
John M Vulule, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI)
Isabel Kuria, CARE
Frederick Mugisha, African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC)

The study was done among refugees in Dadaab refugee camps, Kenya to determine effect of using insecticide-treated clothes (ITCs) on personal protection against malaria. Half of the participants (treatment group) had their personal clothes and beddings treated with insecticide (permethrin) and the other half (comparison group) with placebo. Follow-up was done for 3 months. Indoor mosquito density was determined from twelve households belonging to the participants; six in each group, every 3 weeks. Analysis involved tests for significant difference between the two groups. Use of ITCs reduced malaria infection rates and indoor mosquito density significantly. The idea was easily accepted among the refugees. No side effects related to use of the ITCs were observed from the participants. Therefore use of ITCs has potential as an appropriate method of malaria control in sub-Saharan Africa especially for poor communities and other underprivileged communities, such as refugees and is recommended.