Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40615870›Full record

Trial reportMalaria journal2025

Initial community response to a novel spatial repellent for malaria prevention in Busia County, Kenya.

Sheila Muya Ekodir, Lucy Baker, Julius I Odero, Jane Klein A Ikapesi, Moureen Ekisa, Albert Casella, April Monroe, Anna Passaniti, Eric Ochomo, Steven A Harvey

Abstract readRandomized Controlled Trial
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Trial report in Malaria journal, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Sheila Muya EkodirCentre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, Kenya. ekodirmuya@gmail.com.
Lucy BakerDepartment of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Julius I OderoCentre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, Kenya.
Jane Klein A IkapesiCentre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, Kenya.
Moureen EkisaCentre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, Kenya.
Albert CasellaJohns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs, Baltimore, MD, USA.
April MonroeJohns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Anna PassanitiJohns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Eric OchomoCentre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, Kenya.
Steven A HarveyDepartment of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA. Steven.Harvey@jhu.edu.

Funding

UNITAID 131555
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundMalaria transmission in Africa significantly declined between 2005 and 2015 due to widespread distribution of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs). However, since 2015, transmission has increased due to insecticide resistance and biting at times when people are not using ITNs. Spatial repellents (SRs) may help address these challenges. A double-blinded cluster-randomized controlled trial (cRCT) in Busia County, Kenya, reported that Mosquito Shield™, a transfluthrin-based SR, reduced malaria infections by 33.4% during interim analysis and 32.7% by the end of the study, among children aged 6 months to 10 years. Understanding community responses to SRs is critical for their successful deployment and long-term use. This paper reports the initial community response to MosquitoShield™ as part of the Advancing Evidence for the Global Implementation of Spatial Repellents (AEGIS) project.

methodsLongitudinal qualitative data were collected from 30 households participating in the cRCT, using modified trials of improved practices (TIPs) to assess participants' perceptions of MosquitoShield's utility, efficacy, appearance, and user experience with monthly product replacement. This analysis focuses on initial responses recorded one week and two months post-installation. The data were analysed using thematic coding, with researchers blinded to trial arm assignment.

resultsThe participants reported a positive initial response to the SR, with a significant perceived reduction in mosquito density and activity. Some also reported concerns about the product's effectiveness over time and its comparison with existing mosquito control methods, particularly after first replacement. Participants highlighted their perception that the SR provided continuous protection in contrast with the situational protection offered by ITNs. Improvement suggestions included modified installation methods plus a longer-lasting product that protected more space.

conclusionMosquitoShield™ shows potential as a promising malaria prevention tool among communities in Busia County, Kenya. Incorporating user feedback and addressing concerns about product installation, duration, and coverage are crucial for successful implementation. Future research exploring community perceptions, cultural factors and behavioural responses related to long-term acceptability and the impact of SRs on malaria transmission will be crucial to ensure effective SR implementation.

Indexed as

CyclopropanesFluorobenzenesInsect RepellentsMalariaMosquito ControlAdultChildChild, PreschoolDouble-Blind MethodFemaleHumansInfantKenyaLongitudinal StudiesMaleYoung AdultCyclopropanesFluorobenzenesInsect RepellentstransfluthrinCommunity acceptabilityKenyaMalaria preventionMosquito densityQualitative researchSocial science researchSpatial repellentTrials of Improved Practices (TIPs)User perceptionsVector control

Identifiers

PMID40615870
PMCPMC12228312

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.