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A longitudinal study of the durability of long-lasting insecticidal nets in Zambia

Overview of attention for article published in Malaria Journal, February 2016
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  • Above-average Attention Score compared to outputs of the same age (56th percentile)
  • Above-average Attention Score compared to outputs of the same age and source (55th percentile)

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6 X users

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Title
A longitudinal study of the durability of long-lasting insecticidal nets in Zambia
Published in
Malaria Journal, February 2016
DOI 10.1186/s12936-016-1154-4
Pubmed ID
Authors

Kathrine R. Tan, Jane Coleman, Barbara Smith, Busiku Hamainza, Cecilia Katebe-Sakala, Casey Kean, Ashley Kowal, Jodi Vanden Eng, Tiffany K. Parris, Carla T. Mapp, Stephen C. Smith, Robert Wirtz, Mulakwa Kamuliwo, Allen S. Craig

Abstract

A key goal of malaria control is to achieve universal access to, and use of, long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) among people at risk for malaria. Quantifying the number of LLINs needed to achieve and maintain universal coverage requires knowing when nets need replacement. Longitudinal studies have observed physical deterioration in LLINs well before the assumed net lifespan of 3 years. The objective of this study was to describe attrition, physical integrity and insecticide persistence of LLINs over time to assist with better quantification of nets needing replacement. 999 LLINs distributed in 2011 in two highly endemic provinces in Zambia were randomly selected, and were enrolled at 12 months old. LLINs were followed every 6 months up to 30 months of age. Holes were counted and measured (finger, fist, and head method) and a proportional hole index (pHI) was calculated. Households were surveyed about net care and repair and if applicable, reasons for attrition. Functional survival was defined as nets with a pHI <643 and present for follow-up. At 12 and 24 months of age, 74 LLINs were randomly selected for examination of insecticidal activity and content using bioassay and chemical analysis methods previously described by the World Health Organization (WHO). A total of 999 LLINs were enrolled; 505 deltamethrin-treated polyester nets and 494 permethrin-treated polyethylene nets. With 74 used to examine insecticide activity, 925 were available for full follow-up. At 30 months, 325 (33 %) LLINs remained. Net attrition was primarily due to disposal (29 %). Presence of repairs and use over a reed mat were significantly associated with larger pHIs. By 30 months, only 56 % of remaining nets met criteria for functional survival. A shorter functional survival was associated with having been washed. At 24 months, nets had reduced insecticidal activity (57 % met WHO minimal criteria) and content (5 % met WHO target insecticide content). The median functional survival time for LLINs observed the study was 2.5-3 years and insecticide activity and content were markedly decreased by 2 years. A better measure of net survival incorporating insecticidal field effectiveness, net physical integrity, and attrition is needed.

X Demographics

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The data shown below were collected from the profiles of 6 X users who shared this research output. Click here to find out more about how the information was compiled.
Mendeley readers

Mendeley readers

The data shown below were compiled from readership statistics for 87 Mendeley readers of this research output. Click here to see the associated Mendeley record.

Geographical breakdown

Country Count As %
United States 1 1%
Sudan 1 1%
Ghana 1 1%
Unknown 84 97%

Demographic breakdown

Readers by professional status Count As %
Researcher 19 22%
Student > Master 12 14%
Student > Ph. D. Student 9 10%
Student > Bachelor 7 8%
Student > Postgraduate 5 6%
Other 15 17%
Unknown 20 23%
Readers by discipline Count As %
Agricultural and Biological Sciences 19 22%
Medicine and Dentistry 15 17%
Nursing and Health Professions 7 8%
Social Sciences 6 7%
Immunology and Microbiology 3 3%
Other 15 17%
Unknown 22 25%
Attention Score in Context

Attention Score in Context

This research output has an Altmetric Attention Score of 3. This is our high-level measure of the quality and quantity of online attention that it has received. This Attention Score, as well as the ranking and number of research outputs shown below, was calculated when the research output was last mentioned on 13 March 2016.
All research outputs
#12,652,615
of 22,849,304 outputs
Outputs from Malaria Journal
#2,958
of 5,573 outputs
Outputs of similar age
#129,322
of 297,895 outputs
Outputs of similar age from Malaria Journal
#78
of 180 outputs
Altmetric has tracked 22,849,304 research outputs across all sources so far. This one is in the 44th percentile – i.e., 44% of other outputs scored the same or lower than it.
So far Altmetric has tracked 5,573 research outputs from this source. They typically receive a little more attention than average, with a mean Attention Score of 6.8. This one is in the 45th percentile – i.e., 45% of its peers scored the same or lower than it.
Older research outputs will score higher simply because they've had more time to accumulate mentions. To account for age we can compare this Altmetric Attention Score to the 297,895 tracked outputs that were published within six weeks on either side of this one in any source. This one has gotten more attention than average, scoring higher than 56% of its contemporaries.
We're also able to compare this research output to 180 others from the same source and published within six weeks on either side of this one. This one has gotten more attention than average, scoring higher than 55% of its contemporaries.