Assessing the efficacy of 3D window double screens (3D-WDS) in reducing malaria transmission in northeastern Tanzania: Study protocol for a two-arm cluster-randomised controlled trial
Background: The rise of insecticide resistance in malaria vectors has highlighted the urgent need for alternative vector control methods that do not rely on insecticides. The 3D-Screen, an innovative window screen featuring 3D conical structures integrated into a mesh, offers a promising solution. W...
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Elsevier
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2451865425000778 |
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| author | William N. Kisinza Subam Kathet Victor Mwingira Maija Meri Frank S. Magogo Veneranda M. Bwana Hanna Granroth-Wilding Pendael Machafuko Patrick Tungu Mikko Aalto Tomi Hakala Markku Honkala Seppo Meri Ayman Khattab |
| author_facet | William N. Kisinza Subam Kathet Victor Mwingira Maija Meri Frank S. Magogo Veneranda M. Bwana Hanna Granroth-Wilding Pendael Machafuko Patrick Tungu Mikko Aalto Tomi Hakala Markku Honkala Seppo Meri Ayman Khattab |
| author_sort | William N. Kisinza |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: The rise of insecticide resistance in malaria vectors has highlighted the urgent need for alternative vector control methods that do not rely on insecticides. The 3D-Screen, an innovative window screen featuring 3D conical structures integrated into a mesh, offers a promising solution. When installed as a double-screen setup (3D-Window Double Screen, or 3D-WDS) in window openings, its unidirectional design allows mosquitoes to enter the space between the screens from either the outside or inside of the living area, effectively trapping them within the enclosure. Previous laboratory and experimental hut studies have demonstrated the high efficacy of 3D-WDS in capturing host-seeking mosquitoes. This study aims to evaluate the epidemiological, entomological, and social impacts of implementing 3D-Screens in community settings. Methods/design: A two-arm, cluster-randomised controlled trial (cRCT) was conducted to assess whether houses equipped with both 3D-WDS and long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) provide enhanced protection against malaria compared to LLINs alone. Twenty hamlets across 17 villages in Muheza, Tanzania, were evaluated for malaria prevalence, vector densities, entomological inoculation rates, and insecticide resistance levels. Fourteen hamlets with similar epidemiological and entomological profiles were then randomised: seven were assigned to the intervention group (3D-WDS + LLINs), and seven served as the control group (LLINs alone). Epidemiological and entomological surveillance were conducted at 10-week intervals over a 52-week follow-up period. Ancillary social science studies were conducted to assess community perceptions of the 3D-WDS intervention, focusing on acceptability and factors influencing its sustainability. Statistical analyses will use mixed-effects models to compare the impact of 3D-WDS combined with LLINs versus LLINs alone. Discussion: The 3D-WDS has the potential to reduce malaria transmission by providing a non-insecticidal, sustainable approach to mosquito control. Findings from this trial will demonstrate its real-world effectiveness and contribute to the development of scalable, long-term strategies for malaria prevention. Trial registration: ISRCTN Registry, ISRCTN87169034. Trial status: The study was initiated in June 2019, recruitment and sampling were completed in June 2021, sample analyses, and statistical evaluations are ongoing. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-562c8dcac2ae4a8faf028ac10927fafe |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2451-8654 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications |
| spelling | doaj-art-562c8dcac2ae4a8faf028ac10927fafe2025-08-20T03:12:36ZengElsevierContemporary Clinical Trials Communications2451-86542025-08-014610150310.1016/j.conctc.2025.101503Assessing the efficacy of 3D window double screens (3D-WDS) in reducing malaria transmission in northeastern Tanzania: Study protocol for a two-arm cluster-randomised controlled trialWilliam N. Kisinza0Subam Kathet1Victor Mwingira2Maija Meri3Frank S. Magogo4Veneranda M. Bwana5Hanna Granroth-Wilding6Pendael Machafuko7Patrick Tungu8Mikko Aalto9Tomi Hakala10Markku Honkala11Seppo Meri12Ayman Khattab13National Institute for Medical Research, Amani Medical Research Centre, Muheza, TanzaniaTranslational Immunology Research Program and Department of Bacteriology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 8, FIN-00014, Helsinki, FinlandNational Institute for Medical Research, Amani Medical Research Centre, Muheza, TanzaniaTranslational Immunology Research Program and Department of Bacteriology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 8, FIN-00014, Helsinki, FinlandNational Institute for Medical Research, Amani Medical Research Centre, Muheza, TanzaniaNational Institute for Medical Research, Amani Medical Research Centre, Muheza, TanzaniaBiostatistics Consulting Service, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Tukholmankatu 8B, FIN-00014, Helsinki, FinlandNational Institute for Medical Research, Amani Medical Research Centre, Muheza, TanzaniaNational Institute for Medical Research, Amani Medical Research Centre, Muheza, TanzaniaBosaso General Hospital, Bosaso, SomaliaDepartment of Materials Science, Tampere University of Technology, P.O. Box 589, 33101, Tampere, FinlandDepartment of Materials Science, Tampere University of Technology, P.O. Box 589, 33101, Tampere, FinlandTranslational Immunology Research Program and Department of Bacteriology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 8, FIN-00014, Helsinki, Finland; HUSLAB Diagnostic Center, Helsinki University Central Hospital, FIN-00029, Helsinki, FinlandTranslational Immunology Research Program and Department of Bacteriology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 8, FIN-00014, Helsinki, Finland; Department of Nucleic Acid Research, Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Research Institute, City of Scientific Research and Technological Applications, New Borg El-Arab City, 21934, Alexandria, Egypt; Corresponding author. Translational Immunology Research Program and Department of Bacteriology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 3, FIN-00014, Helsinki, Finland.Background: The rise of insecticide resistance in malaria vectors has highlighted the urgent need for alternative vector control methods that do not rely on insecticides. The 3D-Screen, an innovative window screen featuring 3D conical structures integrated into a mesh, offers a promising solution. When installed as a double-screen setup (3D-Window Double Screen, or 3D-WDS) in window openings, its unidirectional design allows mosquitoes to enter the space between the screens from either the outside or inside of the living area, effectively trapping them within the enclosure. Previous laboratory and experimental hut studies have demonstrated the high efficacy of 3D-WDS in capturing host-seeking mosquitoes. This study aims to evaluate the epidemiological, entomological, and social impacts of implementing 3D-Screens in community settings. Methods/design: A two-arm, cluster-randomised controlled trial (cRCT) was conducted to assess whether houses equipped with both 3D-WDS and long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) provide enhanced protection against malaria compared to LLINs alone. Twenty hamlets across 17 villages in Muheza, Tanzania, were evaluated for malaria prevalence, vector densities, entomological inoculation rates, and insecticide resistance levels. Fourteen hamlets with similar epidemiological and entomological profiles were then randomised: seven were assigned to the intervention group (3D-WDS + LLINs), and seven served as the control group (LLINs alone). Epidemiological and entomological surveillance were conducted at 10-week intervals over a 52-week follow-up period. Ancillary social science studies were conducted to assess community perceptions of the 3D-WDS intervention, focusing on acceptability and factors influencing its sustainability. Statistical analyses will use mixed-effects models to compare the impact of 3D-WDS combined with LLINs versus LLINs alone. Discussion: The 3D-WDS has the potential to reduce malaria transmission by providing a non-insecticidal, sustainable approach to mosquito control. Findings from this trial will demonstrate its real-world effectiveness and contribute to the development of scalable, long-term strategies for malaria prevention. Trial registration: ISRCTN Registry, ISRCTN87169034. Trial status: The study was initiated in June 2019, recruitment and sampling were completed in June 2021, sample analyses, and statistical evaluations are ongoing.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2451865425000778MalariaVector control3D-screensHouse screeningLLINsSustainable malaria control |
| spellingShingle | William N. Kisinza Subam Kathet Victor Mwingira Maija Meri Frank S. Magogo Veneranda M. Bwana Hanna Granroth-Wilding Pendael Machafuko Patrick Tungu Mikko Aalto Tomi Hakala Markku Honkala Seppo Meri Ayman Khattab Assessing the efficacy of 3D window double screens (3D-WDS) in reducing malaria transmission in northeastern Tanzania: Study protocol for a two-arm cluster-randomised controlled trial Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications Malaria Vector control 3D-screens House screening LLINs Sustainable malaria control |
| title | Assessing the efficacy of 3D window double screens (3D-WDS) in reducing malaria transmission in northeastern Tanzania: Study protocol for a two-arm cluster-randomised controlled trial |
| title_full | Assessing the efficacy of 3D window double screens (3D-WDS) in reducing malaria transmission in northeastern Tanzania: Study protocol for a two-arm cluster-randomised controlled trial |
| title_fullStr | Assessing the efficacy of 3D window double screens (3D-WDS) in reducing malaria transmission in northeastern Tanzania: Study protocol for a two-arm cluster-randomised controlled trial |
| title_full_unstemmed | Assessing the efficacy of 3D window double screens (3D-WDS) in reducing malaria transmission in northeastern Tanzania: Study protocol for a two-arm cluster-randomised controlled trial |
| title_short | Assessing the efficacy of 3D window double screens (3D-WDS) in reducing malaria transmission in northeastern Tanzania: Study protocol for a two-arm cluster-randomised controlled trial |
| title_sort | assessing the efficacy of 3d window double screens 3d wds in reducing malaria transmission in northeastern tanzania study protocol for a two arm cluster randomised controlled trial |
| topic | Malaria Vector control 3D-screens House screening LLINs Sustainable malaria control |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2451865425000778 |
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