Electronic mosquito repellents for preventing mosquito bites and malaria infection

 

Abstract

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 methods

In March 2009, 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.

 

Plain language summary

Electronic mosquito repellents for preventing mosquito bites and malaria infection

Malaria is a major health problem that particularly affects people living in sub-Saharan Africa and other tropical parts of the world. It often causes considerable morbidity and mortality especially in children under five. It is transmitted by mosquito bites from infected female mosquitoes. Several strategies and approaches are available for preventing mosquito bites and malaria infection, including repellents, and these approaches will be considered by those living in affected areas and by travellers to areas where there is high risk of infection. Electronic mosquito repellents (EMRs) are designed to repel female mosquitoes by emitting high-pitched sounds almost inaudible to the human ear. EMRs are claimed by their manufacturers to be effective in repelling mosquitoes and preventing disease. No randomized controlled trials were found, but 10 field studies looking at the number of mosquitoes caught on the bare body parts of humans were assessed. These studies were conducted in various parts of the world with different species of mosquitoes and were controlled for factors such as locality and timing. One study used just one observer with seven observations, while the highest assessment included 18 observers with 324 observations. There was no evidence in the field studies to support any repelling effects of EMRs, hence no evidence to support their promotion or use. Future randomized controlled trials are not proposed as there was no suggestion in the field studies that EMRs show any promise as a preventive measure against malaria.

 

摘要

背景

電蚊香防止蚊子叮咬和瘧疾感染

電蚊香是為了防止蚊子叮咬和瘧疾感染而銷售。

目標

評估電蚊香是否能防止蚊子叮咬和瘧疾感染的任何證據。

搜尋策略

In August 2006, we searched the Cochrane Infectious Diseases Group Specialized Register, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, LILACS, Cambridge Scientific Abstracts, and the Science Citation Index. 我們找尋了會議記錄,並聯絡國際專門中心機構和EMR 製造商聯繫, 並且找尋了參考目錄。

選擇標準

昆蟲學領域研究, 控制地理位置、時間、受試者的吸引力來研究EMRs 預防蚊子叮咬; 和隨機和quasi隨機控制試驗來用EMRs預防瘧疾感染。

資料收集與分析

二位作者評估試驗的質,並擷取和分析資料。

主要結論

十項昆蟲學領域研究符合了納入標準。所有10項研究發現在受試者的身體上被捉住下來蚊子的數量與有或沒有使用EMR是沒有什麼區別的。在隨機和quasi隨機控制試驗在EMRs防止瘧疾感染是並未有重大發現。

作者結論

昆蟲學領域研究證實EMRs在防止蚊子叮咬是沒效的。所以不能在行銷上推銷電蚊香說是可以防止瘧疾感染的。

翻譯人

本摘要由三軍總醫院詹舜名翻譯。

此翻譯計畫由臺灣國家衛生研究院(National Health Research Institutes, Taiwan)統籌。

總結

電蚊香防止蚊子叮咬和瘧疾感染。瘧疾是一個主重大的衛生問題對特別是居住在撒哈拉沙漠附近的非洲居民和其它世界的熱帶地區的。它經常導致可觀的致病率和死亡率特別是對於在五歲之下孩童。瘧疾是經由被傳染的母蚊子叮咬所傳染。幾種策略和方法是可以利用做為防止蚊子叮咬和瘧疾感染, 包括電蚊香, 而這方法在一些到即將生活在受影響的區域和有高傳染風險的區域居住的人所考慮使用。電蚊香(EMRs) 藉由設計出散發對人類的耳朵幾乎是聽不見的高頻聲音來驅除母蚊。EMRs的製造廠商宣稱在驅蚊和預防瘧疾是有效的。沒有隨機的控制試驗被發現, 但是10個研究領域評估在受試者的身體上被捉住下來蚊子的數量。這些研究在世界的不同地區執行和使用不同的種類的蚊子實行控制的因子譬如說地域和時間。一項研究使用了一名觀察員做七次觀察, 最高的評估包括18 名觀察員和324次觀察。沒有研究證據支持EMRs 有任何驅除的效果, 因此沒有證據來支持它們的前進或使用。更多隨機化的控制試驗不支持或保證可以EMRs作為一個預防瘧疾的有效措施。