title: Factors Associated with Correct and Consistent Insecticide Treated Curtain Use in Iquitos, Peru.
abstract: Dengue is an arthropod-borne virus of great public health importance, and control of its mosquito vectors is currently the only available method for prevention. Previous research has suggested that insecticide treated curtains (ITCs) can lower dengue vector infestations in houses. This observational study investigated individual and household-level socio-demographic factors associated with correct and consistent use of ITCs in Iquitos, Peru. A baseline knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) survey was administered to 1,333 study participants, and ITCs were then distributed to 593 households as part of a cluster-randomized trial. Follow up KAP surveys and ITC-monitoring checklists were conducted at 9, 18, and 27 months post-ITC distribution. At 9 months post-distribution, almost 70% of ITCs were hanging properly (e.g. hanging fully extended or tied up), particularly those hung on walls compared to other locations. Proper ITC hanging dropped at 18 months to 45.7%. The odds of hanging ITCs correctly and consistently were significantly greater among those participants who were housewives, knew three or more correct symptoms of dengue and at least one correct treatment for dengue, knew a relative or close friend who had had dengue, had children sleeping under a mosquito net, or perceived a change in the amount of mosquitoes in the home. Additionally, the odds of recommending ITCs in the future were significantly greater among those who perceived a change in the amount of mosquitoes in the home (e.g. perceived the ITCs to be effective). Despite various challenges associated with the sustained effectiveness of the selected ITCs, almost half of the ITCs were still hanging at 18 months, suggesting a feasible vector control strategy for sustained community use.
authors.affiliation: Department of Global Health Systems and Development, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America.
authors.forename: Valerie A
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Paz-Soldan
authors.affiliation: Department of Global Health Systems and Development, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America.
authors.forename: Karin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bauer
authors.affiliation: United States Naval Medical Research Unit No. 6 (NAMRU-6), Iquitos Laboratory, Iquitos, Peru.|Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of California Davis, Davis, California, United States of America.
authors.forename: Amy C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Morrison
authors.affiliation: United States Naval Medical Research Unit No. 6 (NAMRU-6), Iquitos Laboratory, Iquitos, Peru.
authors.forename: Jhonny J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Cordova Lopez
authors.affiliation: Department of Global Health Systems and Development, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America.
authors.forename: Kiyohiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Izumi
authors.affiliation: Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of California Davis, Davis, California, United States of America.
authors.forename: Thomas W
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Scott
authors.affiliation: Division of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences, Graduate School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, California, United States of America.
authors.forename: John P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Elder
authors.affiliation: MRC Tropical Epidemiology Group and Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Neal
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Alexander
authors.affiliation: Malaria Branch, United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America.
authors.forename: Eric S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Halsey
authors.affiliation: Department of Vector Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Philip J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: McCall
authors.affiliation: Entomology Branch, Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America.
authors.forename: Audrey
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lenhart
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055815:Young Adult; D003715:Dengue / Q000517:prevention & control; D005191:Family Characteristics; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D057148:Insecticide-Treated Bednets / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009032:Mosquito Control / Q000379:methods; D010568:Peru