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Table 1 Types of interventions in vector control and their limitations

From: Control of malaria and other vector-borne protozoan diseases in the tropics: enduring challenges despite considerable progress and achievements

Control methods Advantages Limitations
Environmental hygiene (eliminates vector’s nests, etc.) Efficacy > 50% Necessitates community-guided actions
Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) Efficacy 60% Harmful effects of residues, high cost, resistant strains of mosquitoes
Intermittent Preventive Treatment (IPT) Efficacy 56% May enhance drug resistance, use restricted for pregnant women and children < 5 years
Insecticide treated mosquito bed nets Efficacy 50% High cost, poor adherence of rural communities, harmful effects of residues, resistance
Biological control No direct harmful effects on humans Cost, genetic risks
  1. Source: Curtis [7], Lengeler [8], Parise [9], Morel et al. [10].
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