MALARIA CONTROL EFFORTS IN GANDHINAGAR DISTRICT OF GUJARAT WITH LESS DEPENDENCE ON INDOOR RESIDUAL SPRAY

Background: Under National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme, Indoor Residual Spray with effective insecticide is the main strategy to control malaria in the rural areas. It is a very effective tool in interrupting transmission of malaria if good coverage and quality is achieved.
Aim: To assess the impact of Indoor Residual Spray on malaria transmission and also to see how dependence on this activity can be reduced if all preventive actions are implemented timely and effectively with good quality.
Design: Rural areas of Gandhinagar district.
Setting: Malaria prone villages of Gandhinagar district where preventive actions were undertaken in an integrated manner during the period of 2005 to 2013.
Exploratory: Rural areas.
Outcome: Reduction in malaria incidence and eligible population for spray.
Analysis: Percentage and proportions.
Results: Intelligent and judicious use of Indoor Residual Spray helped in reducing Annual Parasitic Incidence from 8.5 in 2005 to 0.3 in 2013 in Kalol Taluka which was worst affected. The integrated approach adopted in the district helped to reduce the eligible population for spray from 54041 in 2006 to 8507 in 2014.
Conclusion: Indoor Residual spray is still an effective tool for malaria control, but its judicious use under proper supervision can give better impact and gradually dependence on this activity can be reduced by strengthening other preventive actions and thereby the results achieved can be sustained.