To end malaria transmission, more research on human behavior is needed – ScienceDaily



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To the extent possible, researchers should not focus solely on the behavior of mosquitoes when trying to eliminate malaria, but also on the behavior of humans at night when the risk of being bitten by a mosquito infected is maximal. CPC) suggest. CCP is based at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

A summary article led by the CCP published in Malaria Journal Last week, last week, it was revealed that while malaria mosquito bite case research is important, when it is most active and which species are most likely to transmit disease, there is very few things that consider the other side of the equation: people.

"What has been neglected is really human behavior," says April Monroe, MSPH, senior program officer with the CCP, who led the research. "We've focused a lot on mosquito behavior, but you have to look at mosquitoes and people together to really understand what's going on and how to reduce the risk of malaria."

Bed nets treated with insecticide are the main reason for a significant reduction in malaria over the last 15 years, with a 41% decrease in malaria rates and 62% in deaths. But mosquito nets only work when people sleep under them.

Studies have shown that most net users use them, but mosquito-carrying mosquitoes may bite and make it impossible to use a net. These include housework and socializing in the evening before bedtime, as well as night work outdoors, such as providing security or fishing, and attending community events such as funerals, weddings or demonstrations. religious that can last all night. .

"Insecticide-treated mosquito nets are currently our best tool for preventing malaria, but we also know that bednets alone will not be enough to kill the number of malaria cases," said Monroe. "Although mosquito nets will remain crucial for years to come, we must also provide appropriate solutions to the people who protect them when and where they need them."

For their review, the researchers examined nearly 3,000 peer-reviewed journal articles and 26 that provided information on places and places where people are exposed to mosquito vectors of malaria and nocturnal activities that take place during the times when mosquitoes are most active.

After performing the exam, Monroe and his colleagues recommend that researchers use a standardized approach to measure the behavior of humans and mosquitoes over time and environments. This information, she says, is essential for targeting existing tools, interventions to change behaviors and behaviors, as well as developing and deploying prevention tools to supplement mosquito nets and indoor spraying.

"People are still contracting malaria, even in places where mosquito nets are widely used," said Monroe. "We need to fill these gaps in research and make decisions about how to better protect people.A better understanding of human behavior and the interaction of humans and mosquitoes is crucial if we want to eliminate malaria."

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