International Journal of Entomology Research

Authors
Amaechi AA, Iwunze JI, Nwokeji MC

Abstract
Of the interventions, insecticide treated nets (ITNs) are least documented for concurrent malaria and lymphatic filariasis (LF). This study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of intervention on malaria and LF transmission indices in Abakaliki Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Preliminary survey identified 59 misusing households (MHs) and preceded cross sectional survey on ITN misuse. Thirty households from ITN misusing households (MH) and non-misusing households (NMH) served as permanent cohorts. The study also investigated the level of usage /non usage after mass distributed free ITN. Mosquitoes caught with pyrethrum spray catch (PSC) and aspirator were identified using standard morphological keys. Seventy five percent (75%) used ITN for other purposes than vector control while 25% didn’t utilize it for mosquito control. About 68% didn’t know the effect of using ITN for purposes other than malaria / LF while 32% were familiar with possible effects. Overall, 1,367 endophilic mosquitoes with 8.8 resting densities were caught; Anopheles gambiae sl (59.5%), An. funestus sl (0.8%), Culex quiquefasciatus (34.6%), Aedes aegypti and Mansonia africana (5.0%). Catches from MHs were significantly higher than NMH (65.0% versus 32.2%). The differences in filarial infection, infective and physiological status for the cohorts were insignificant (p>0.05). The calculated sporoziote infection rate (SR) for MH (8.9% and NMH (1.6%) differed (p<0.05). The entomological inoculation rates (EIR) recorded was 0.11 per person per night culminating in an annual 40 infective bites per person per year. Challenges regarding ITN use/nonuse were reported. The study highlights some malaria and LF risk indices in the context of on-going elimination using ITN intervention control strategy.