title: Community-Effectiveness of Temephos for Dengue Vector Control: A Systematic Literature Review.
abstract: The application of the organophosphate larvicide temephos to water storage containers is one of the most commonly employed dengue vector control methods. This systematic literature review is to the knowledge of the authors the first that aims to assess the community-effectiveness of temephos in controlling both vectors and dengue transmission when delivered either as a single intervention or in combination with other interventions. A comprehensive literature search of 6 databases was performed (PubMed, WHOLIS, GIFT, CDSR, EMBASE, Wiley), grey literature and cross references were also screened for relevant studies. Data were extracted and methodological quality of the studies was assessed independently by two reviewers. 27 studies were included in this systematic review (11 single intervention studies and 16 combined intervention studies). All 11 single intervention studies showed consistently that using temephos led to a reduction in entomological indices. Although 11 of the 16 combined intervention studies showed that temephos application together with other chemical vector control methods also reduced entomological indices, this was either not sustained over time or-as in the five remaining studies--failed to reduce the immature stages. The community-effectiveness of temephos was found to be dependent on factors such as quality of delivery, water turnover rate, type of water, and environmental factors such as organic debris, temperature and exposure to sunlight. Timing of temephos deployment and its need for reapplication, along with behavioural factors such as the reluctance of its application to drinking water, and operational aspects such as cost, supplies, time and labour were further limitations identified in this review. In conclusion, when applied as a single intervention, temephos was found to be effective at suppressing entomological indices, however, the same effect has not been observed when temephos was applied in combination with other interventions. There is no evidence to suggest that temephos use is associated with reductions in dengue transmission.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Medicine, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi, India.
authors.forename: Leyanna
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: George
authors.affiliation: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America.
authors.forename: Audrey
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lenhart
authors.affiliation: Ministry of Health, Brasilia, Brazil.
authors.forename: Joao
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Toledo
authors.affiliation: Consultant in Public Health, Manila, The Philippines.
authors.forename: Adhara
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lazaro
authors.affiliation: Ministry of Health, Rangoon, Myanmar.
authors.forename: Wai Wai
authors.initials: WW
authors.lastname: Han
authors.affiliation: World Health Organization, Department for the Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Raman
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Velayudhan
authors.affiliation: Consultant to Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland; Consultant in Public Health, Ludwigsburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Runge Ranzinger
authors.affiliation: Institute of Public Health, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Olaf
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Horstick
mesh_terms: D003715:Dengue / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018562:Disease Transmission, Infectious / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D007300:Insect Control / Q000379:methods*; D007306:Insecticides / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000002:Temefos / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D007306:Insecticides; D000002:Temefos