OR Study

Spatial repellents have the potential of being critical tools in the prevention of mosquito borne diseases in contexts where typical vectors control efforts such as bed nets and indoor residual spraying are inaccessible or underutilized such as among displaced peoples or in emergency relief settings. Malaria endemic sites where ongoing humanitarian relief efforts are underway were selected to estimate the impact of spatial repellents on malaria related outcomes. The study will measure the direct effect of spatial repellents as well as the protective equivalency using varied distribution channels: paid study personnel, village health teams (VHTs), and a voucher system.

Study Objectives:

1. To compare the effectiveness of SR against malaria infection (both first-time and recurrent), following deployment of SR, between each of the two operational program delivery mechanisms: (1. VHTs delivering SR directly to participants; 2. participants redeeming a voucher for SR at a central location and applying it in shelters themselves) vs a reference distribution channel (positive control; study team personnel delivering product directly to participants at their homes).
2. To estimate the cost-effectiveness of SR distribution by each distribution channel (VHT and Voucher) compared to the reference distribution channel;
3. Assess the safety of the SR product.

Study Location and Population: As of June 30, 2017, there are nearly 1 million South Sudanese refugees in Uganda. Bidibidi refugee settlement is currently the second largest refugee settlement in the world. About 40% of the population in Bidibidi is living in grass thatched roof houses with over 60% living in tarpaulin shelters, with the majority of those being women and children under 18. Study participants will include children ages 6 months to 59 months who report sleeping in selected study clusters.

In-Country Project Lead: Catholic Relief Services
 

Additionally, social science methodologies and health and market analyses will provide evidence for the acceptability and scalability of implementation. To ensure the spatial repellent is adopted as a complementary vector control tool, findings will be disseminated to the scientific community, end users, and project stakeholders.