title: Efficacy of Deltamethrin and Cyfluthrin Impregnated Cloth over Uniform against Mosquito Bites.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The difficulty with insecticide treated mosquito nets is that in military operation, it may not be practical for the personnel to carry mosquito nets with them. In mobile military operations, availability of pre-treated 'patches of cloth' or 'bands', which can be applied over the uniform at strategic sites, could be a feasible alternative.
  
  
  METHODS
  A double blind randomised controlled trial was undertaken among troops deployed in counter-insurgency operations in the northeastern parts of the country, to assess the efficacy of synthetic pyrethroid pretreated patches in reducing man mosquito contact, as compared to conventional repellents.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study indicated that pretreated patches, when affixed over the uniform, provided significantly higher protection from mosquito bites, when used in addition to the conventional repellents.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study recommends that synthetic pyrethroid treated patches be made available to troops operating in highly malarious areas.
authors.affiliation: Commanding Officer, Station Health Organisation, Ambala Cantt.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bhatnagar
authors.affiliation: ADH and Senior Advisor (PSM), Southern Command, Pune.
authors.forename: V K
authors.initials: VK
authors.lastname: Mehta
keywords: Man-mosquito contact; Synthetic pyrethroid treated patches