Efficacy of permethrin-treated bed nets in the prevention of mortality in young children in an area of high perennial malaria transmission in western Kenya

  • Penelope Phillips-Howard
  • , Bernard L. Nahlen
  • , Margarette S. Kolczak
  • , Allen W. Hightower
  • , Feiko Ter Kuile
  • , Jane A. Alaii
  • , John E. Gimnig
  • , John Arudo
  • , John M. Vulule
  • , Amos Odhacha
  • , S. Patrick Kachur
  • , Erik Schoute
  • , Daniel H. Rosen
  • , John D. Sexton
  • , Aggrey J. Oloo
  • , William A. Hawley

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

216 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

A group-randomized controlled trial of insecticide (permethrin)-treated bed nets (ITNs) was conducted in an area of high perennial malaria transmission in western Kenya to test the effect of ITNs on all-cause mortality in children 1-59 months of age. Child deaths were monitored over a two-year period by biannual household census in Asembo (1997-1998) and in Gem (1998-1999). Overall, 1,722 deaths occurred in children 1-59 months followed for 35,932 child-years. Crude mortality rates/1,000 child-years were 51.9 versus 43.9 in control and ITN villages in children 1-59 months old. The protective efficacy (PE) (95% confidence interval) adjusted for age, study year, study site, and season was 16% (6-25%). Corresponding figures in 1-11- and 12-59-month-old children in control and ITN villages were 133.3 versus 102.3, PE = 23% (11-34%) and 31.1 versus 28.7, PE = 7% (-6-19%). The numbers of lives saved/1,000 child-years were 8, 31, and 2 for the groups 1-59, 1-11, and 12-59 months old, respectively. Stratified analysis by time to insecticide re-treatment showed that the PE of ITNs re-treated per study protocol (every six months) was 20% (10-29%), overall and 26% (12-37%) and 14% (-1-26%) in 1-11- and 12-59-month-old children, respectively. ITNs prevent approximately one in four infant deaths in areas of intense perennial malaria transmission, but their efficacy is compromised if re-treatment is delayed beyond six months.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)23-29
Number of pages7
JournalThe American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Volume68
Issue number4 SUPPL.
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Apr 2003
Externally publishedYes

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