A Cluster Randomized Trial to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Long Lasting Insecticidal Hammocks for Controlling Forest Malaria in Central Vietnam

In Central Vietnam, forest malaria remains difficult to control due to the complex interactions between human, vector and environmental factors. A community-based study carried out between 1999 and 2001 showed that regular forest activity was a strong risk factor for malaria infection. Untreated bednets had a significantly protecting effect for villagers, except for those regularly sleeping in the forest, who suffered a significantly higher number of clinical attacks. Thus, there is need to target this high-risk group with new intervention based on long-lasting insecticidal materials. Hammocks are extensively used by people working in the forest, therefore long-lasting insecticidal hammocks (LLIH) could achieve a good individual protection.

The Investigators proposed to evaluate their effectiveness in a community-based trial, comparing them to the standard vector control methods (insecticide-treated nets): communities have been grouped into clusters of about 1000 înhabitants, and clusters were randomized to either the active intervention or the active control, and followed up for 24 month.