Rural communities involved in agriculture are often at highest risk of insect-borne diseases in Southeast (SE) Asia. Skin-applied insect repellents may prove a useful means of reducing mosquito-borne diseases for those people working outdoors in high risk areas. This trial is evaluating the use of insect repellent (20% diethyltoluamide) to reduce incidence of malaria, Japanese Encephalitis and Dengue. The investigators will recruit up to 1000 households from 100 villages in rural Laos. In each house the investigators shall recruit up to 5 individuals. Half of households will be randomised to repellent, half to a placebo. All individuals will be provided with insecticide treated bed nets for use at night. All household occupants will be followed for 7 months to record malaria cases by Rapid Diagnostic Test every month. Blood spots will be collected at start and end of study to measure Japanese Encephalitis and Dengue. All positive cases will be promptly treated. Outcome will be reduction in number of malaria cases (primary outcome) and Dengue/Japanese Encephalitis (secondary outcomes).
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
5,000
skin-applied repellent lotion
Identical base formulation of lotion but without any deet active
Rural villages in Attepu and Sekong Provinces, Laos PDR
Pakse, Attepu, Laos
RECRUITINGreduction in malaria incidence
Time frame: monthly over 7 months
Reduction in Japanese Encephalitis and / or Dengue infections
Time frame: After 7 months intervention
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