Guidelines for monitoring the durability of long-lasting insecticidal mosquito nets under operational conditions

Overview

 The main purpose of these guidelines is to assist national vector-borne disease control programmes, and other relevant agencies, in monitoring the durability of long-lasting insecticidal mosquito nets (LN) under operational conditions. The information derived by monitoring will be useful in planning the replacement of worn-out nets in an LN programme, making decisions to procure the most suitable LNs for the setting and understanding the factors associated with the durability of LN products. The guidelines do not cover procedures for evaluating the efficacy for prevention and control of malaria and other vector-borne diseases or any potential risks associated with use of LNs, which are described elsewhere. The principles and methods outlined in this document can, however, contribute to such evaluations.

These guidelines are designed for monitoring various LN products. An LN is a factory-treated mosquito net that is expected to retain its biological activity for a minimum number of standard washes as defined by WHO and a minimum time under field conditions. Currently, an LN is expected to retain its biological activity for at least 20 standard WHO washes under laboratory conditions and 3 years of recommended use under field conditions, as defined in the WHO guidelines. In addition, the methods described here can be used in monitoring the performance of mosquito nets treated with ‘do-it-yourself’ kits intended for converting mosquito nets into LNs.