DELTAMETHRIN IMPREGNATED BEDNETS FOR THE CONTROL OF URBAN MALARIA IN KUMBA-TOWN, SOUTHWEST PROVINCE OF CAMEROON

This study was conducted from January to December 1992 in Kumba, a tow n situated in the rain forest region of the South-West Province of Cam eroon, and consisted of a longitudinal survey including parasitologica l and clinical studies. Forty households were chosen for the study and randomly divided into two groups, each with approximately 240 inhabit ants aged less than or equal to 15 years. One group received deltameth rin impregnated bednets and the other group had no nets (control). For the months of April, June and August (rainy season), deltamethrin imp regnated bednets did not reduce malaria prevalence significantly, but the overall malaria prevalence for all months of the study was signifi cantly reduced (chi(MH)(2)=9.17, P=0.002). Enlarged spleen rates (chi( MH)(2)=6.73, P=0.009) and spleen sizes (P=0.0002) were also significan tly reduced by the nets. However, the reduction in the geometric mean parasite density (GMPD) was not significant. Even though some of these reductions were statistically significant, they were relatively low i n a global context compared with previous work done mainly in rural ar eas. In an urban environment, parents and children usually stay up lat e, and probably receive many mosquito bites before going to sleep.