title: Effectiveness and feasibility of long-lasting insecticide-treated curtains and water container covers for dengue vector control in Colombia: a cluster randomised trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Long-lasting insecticide-treated net (LLIN) window and door curtains alone or in combination with LLIN water container covers were analysed regarding effectiveness in reducing dengue vector density, and feasibility of the intervention.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cluster randomised trial was conducted in an urban area of Colombia comparing 10 randomly selected control and 10 intervention clusters. In control clusters, routine vector control activities were performed. The intervention delivered first, LLIN curtains (from July to August 2013) and secondly, water container covers (from October to March 2014). Cross-sectional entomological surveys were carried out at baseline (February 2013 to June 2013), 9 weeks after the first intervention (August to October 2013), and 4-6 weeks after the second intervention (March to April 2014).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Curtains were installed in 922 households and water container covers in 303 households. The Breteau index (BI) fell from 14 to 6 in the intervention group and from 8 to 5 in the control group. The additional intervention with LLIN covers for water containers showed a significant reduction in pupae per person index (PPI) (p=0.01). In the intervention group, the PPI index showed a clear decline of 71% compared with 25% in the control group. Costs were high but options for cost savings were identified.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Short term impact evaluation indicates that the intervention package can reduce dengue vector density but sustained effect will depend on multiple factors.
authors.affiliation: Centro de Estudios e Investigación en Salud, CEIS-Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá, Bogotá, Colombia Juliana.quintero@fsfb.org.co.
authors.forename: Juliana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Quintero
authors.affiliation: Centro de Estudios e Investigación en Salud, CEIS-Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá, Bogotá, Colombia.
authors.forename: Tatiana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: García-Betancourt
authors.affiliation: Centro de Estudios e Investigación en Salud, CEIS-Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá, Bogotá, Colombia.
authors.forename: Sebastian
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cortés
authors.affiliation: Centro de Estudios e Investigación en Salud, CEIS-Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá, Bogotá, Colombia Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia.
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: García
authors.affiliation: Centro de Estudios e Investigación en Salud, CEIS-Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá, Bogotá, Colombia Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia.
authors.forename: Lucas
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Alcalá
authors.affiliation: Centro de Estudios e Investigación en Salud, CEIS-Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá, Bogotá, Colombia.
authors.forename: Catalina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: González-Uribe
authors.affiliation: Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia.
authors.forename: Helena
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Brochero
authors.affiliation: Centro de Estudios e Investigación en Salud, CEIS-Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá, Bogotá, Colombia.
authors.forename: Gabriel
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Carrasquilla
mesh_terms: D000330:Aedes / Q000254:growth & development / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D000818:Animals; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D003105:Colombia / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003715:Dengue / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006801:Humans; D057148:Insecticide-Treated Bednets; D007306:Insecticides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009032:Mosquito Control / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012621:Seasons; D014504:Urban Health; D014867:Water / Q000469:parasitology; D014881:Water Supply
chemical_list: D007306:Insecticides; D014867:Water
keywords: Aedes; Colombia; Dengue; Long-lasting insecticide-treated nets; Public health; Randomised controlled trial