Entomological effects of attractive targeted sugar bait station deployment in Western Zambia: vector surveillance findings from a two-arm cluster randomized phase III trial

Joseph Wagman ¹, Benjamin Chanda ², Javan Chanda ³

⁰PATH, Washington, DC, USA. jowagman@gmail.com.

Malaria Journal +

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July 18, 2024

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

Attractive targeted sugar bait (ATSB) stations showed a non-significant reduction in malaria vector density in Zambia. Further research is needed to optimize ATSB effectiveness for malaria control.

Area Of Science

Malariology
Entomology
Public Health

Background

Attractive targeted sugar bait (ATSB) stations offer a novel approach to malaria vector control.
A cluster-randomized controlled trial (cRCT) evaluated ATSB stations in Western Province, Zambia, a high malaria burden area.
The study focused on Anopheles funestus, the dominant local vector, in conjunction with existing control measures.

Purpose Of The Study

To assess the public health value of ATSB stations.
To measure the entomological impact of ATSB deployment on malaria vectors.
To provide entomological context for epidemiological findings.

Main Methods

A two-arm cRCT involving 70 clusters over two 7-month deployments.
Monthly indoor-outdoor human landing catch (HLC) and light trap (LT) collections in a subset of 20 clusters.
Monitoring of Anopheles funestus parity, abundance, biting rates, sporozoite prevalence, and entomological inoculation rates (EIR).

Main Results

Over 20,000 Anopheles funestus were collected; parity rates did not differ significantly between control and intervention arms (OR=1.05, p=0.688).
ATSB deployment was associated with a non-significant reduction in LT abundance (RR=0.65, p=0.267) and HLC rates (RR=0.68, p=0.479).
No significant effects on sporozoite prevalence or EIR were observed.

Conclusions

Anopheles funestus parity remained unchanged, but ATSB stations showed a trend towards reduced vector density.
The findings suggest a potential, albeit non-significant, impact of ATSBs on vector populations.
Further research is recommended to enhance ATSB efficacy in Zambia and similar settings.