101 - Malaria vector control in sub-Saharan Africa: complex trade- offs to combat the growing threat of insecticide resistance

Abstract: Mass distribution of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) has been a key factor in reducing malaria cases and deaths in

sub-Saharan Africa. A shortcoming has been the over-reliance on pyrethroid insecticides, with more than 2·13 billion

pyrethroid ITNs (PY ITNs) distributed in the past two decades, leading to widespread pyrethroid resistance.

Progressive changes are occurring, with increased deployment of more effective pyrethroid-chlorfenapyr (PY-CFP) or

pyrethroid-piperonyl butoxide (PY-PBO) ITNs in areas of pyrethroid resistance. In 2023, PY-PBO ITNs accounted for

58% of all ITNs shipped to sub-Saharan Africa. PY-PBO and PY-CFP ITNs are 30–37% more expensive than standard

PY ITNs, equating to an additional US$132–159 million required per year in sub-Saharan Africa to fund the shift to

more effective ITNs. Several countries are withdrawing or scaling back indoor residual spraying (IRS) programmes

to cover the shortfall, which is reflected by the number of structures sprayed by the US President’s Malaria Initiative

decreasing by 30% from 5·67 million (2021) to 3·96 million (2023). Benin, located in West Africa, is a prime example

of a country that ceased IRS in 2021 after 14 years of annual spraying. Our economic evaluation indicates that IRS in

Benin cost $3·50 per person protected per year, around five times more per person protected per year compared with

PY-PBO ($0·73) or PY-CFP ITNs ($0·76). Although costly to implement, a major advantage of IRS is the portfolio of

at least three chemical classes for prospective resistance management. With loss of synergy to PBO developing

rapidly, there is danger of over-reliance on PY-CFP ITNs. As gains in global malaria control continue to reverse

each year, current WHO projections estimate that key 2030 malaria incidence milestones will be missed by a staggering

89%. We explore contemporary malaria vector control trends in sub-Saharan Africa and cost

implications for improved disease control and resistance management.