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Electronic mosquito repellents for preventing mosquito bites and malaria infection
A A Enayati1, J Hemingway, P Garner
1Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Medical Entomology, School of Public Health and Environmental Health Research Centre, KM 18 Khazarabad Road, Sari, Mazandaran, Iran, 48175-1553. tmaae@liverpool.ac.uk;
Background:
Electronic mosquito repellents (EMRs) are marketed to prevent mosquitoes biting and to prevent malaria.
Objectives:
To assess whether EMRs prevent mosquito bites, and to assess any evidence of an effect on malaria infection.
Search Strategy:
In August 2006, we searched the Cochrane Infectious Diseases Group Specialized Register, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, LILACS, Cambridge Scientific Abstracts, and the Science Citation Index. We also checked conference proceedings, contacted international specialist centres and EMR manufacturers, and checked reference lists.
Selection Criteria:
Field entomological studies, which controlled for geographic site, time, and attractiveness of human participants, of EMRs for preventing mosquito bites; and randomized and quasi-randomized controlled trials of EMRs to prevent malaria infection.
Data Collection And Analysis:
Two authors assessed trial quality, and extracted and analysed the data.
Main Results:
Ten field entomological studies met the inclusion criteria. All 10 studies found that there was no difference in the number of mosquitoes caught from the bare body parts of the human participants with or without an EMR. No randomized or quasi-randomized controlled trials on the efficacy of EMR on malaria infection were found.
Authors' Conclusions:
Field entomological studies confirm that EMRs have no effect on preventing mosquito bites. Therefore there is no justification for marketing them to prevent malaria infection.
Insights
Electronic mosquito repellents (EMRs) do not prevent mosquito bites, according to field studies. Therefore, their marketing for malaria prevention is unjustified.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Entomology
- Medical Devices
Background:
- Electronic mosquito repellents (EMRs) are commercially available products.
- These devices are marketed with claims of preventing mosquito bites and malaria transmission.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of EMRs in preventing mosquito bites.
- To assess the available evidence on the impact of EMRs on malaria infection rates.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive literature search was conducted across multiple databases (Cochrane, MEDLINE, EMBASE, etc.) in August 2006.
- Included were field entomological studies controlling for participant attractiveness and location, and randomized/quasi-randomized trials for malaria prevention.
- Data were extracted and analyzed by two independent reviewers.
Main Results:
- Ten entomological studies were included, all indicating no significant difference in mosquito numbers between EMR users and non-users.
- No randomized controlled trials investigating the effect of EMRs on malaria infection were identified.
Conclusions:
- Field entomological evidence demonstrates that EMRs are ineffective at preventing mosquito bites.
- Current evidence does not support the use of EMRs for malaria prevention, questioning their market claims.
