Conditional trust: Community perceptions of drone use in malaria control in Zanzibar

Hardy, Andrew; Proctor, Mark R.; MacCallum, Cathryn; Shawe, Josh; Abdalla, Safia; Ali, Rajab; Abdalla, Salha; Oakes, Gregory; Rosu, Laura; Worrall, Eve

doi:10.1016/j.techsoc.2022.101895

Cited by 13 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…Where the location and distribution of aquatic habitats of target populations is well-understood, larval dipping could be an efficient and systematic way to detect gene drive system frequency in both males and females. There have been a number of recent developments in the use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs; "drones") combined with machine learning approaches to identify mosquito aquatic habitats; these approaches could make larval dipping more informative as a sampling method for species density measurements and transgene detection in both target and non-target populations [104][105][106][107][108].…”

Section: Box 3: Mosquito Sampling and Detection Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Considerations for first field trials of low-threshold gene drive for malaria vector control

Connolly,

Burt,

Christophides

et al. 2024

Malar J

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Sustainable reductions in African malaria transmission require innovative tools for mosquito control. One proposal involves the use of low-threshold gene drive in Anopheles vector species, where a ‘causal pathway’ would be initiated by (i) the release of a gene drive system in target mosquito vector species, leading to (ii) its transmission to subsequent generations, (iii) its increase in frequency and spread in target mosquito populations, (iv) its simultaneous propagation of a linked genetic trait aimed at reducing vectorial capacity for Plasmodium, and (v) reduced vectorial capacity for parasites in target mosquito populations as the gene drive system reaches fixation in target mosquito populations, causing (vi) decreased malaria incidence and prevalence. Here the scope, objectives, trial design elements, and approaches to monitoring for initial field releases of such gene dive systems are considered, informed by the successful implementation of field trials of biological control agents, as well as other vector control tools, including insecticides, Wolbachia, larvicides, and attractive-toxic sugar bait systems. Specific research questions to be addressed in initial gene drive field trials are identified, and adaptive trial design is explored as a potentially constructive and flexible approach to facilitate testing of the causal pathway. A fundamental question for decision-makers for the first field trials will be whether there should be a selective focus on earlier points of the pathway, such as genetic efficacy via measurement of the increase in frequency and spread of the gene drive system in target populations, or on wider interrogation of the entire pathway including entomological and epidemiological efficacy. How and when epidemiological efficacy will eventually be assessed will be an essential consideration before decisions on any field trial protocols are finalized and implemented, regardless of whether initial field trials focus exclusively on the measurement of genetic efficacy, or on broader aspects of the causal pathway. Statistical and modelling tools are currently under active development and will inform such decisions on initial trial design, locations, and endpoints. Collectively, the considerations here advance the realization of developer ambitions for the first field trials of low-threshold gene drive for malaria vector control within the next 5 years.

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Section: Box 3: Mosquito Sampling and Detection Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Considerations for first field trials of low-threshold gene drive for malaria vector control

Connolly,

Burt,

Christophides

et al. 2024

Malar J

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“…Start-up costs were higher for SIS than conventional LSM, but routine implementation costs were lower for SIS than conventional, with more than half of the SIS-based start-up costs being attributed to a community sensitization and engagement programme that was commissioned to ensure trust and acceptance of drones [ 40 ]. Community engagement was carried out by a locally-based independent consultancy but in future, it might be possible for NMCPs to conduct sensitization potentially reducing start-up costs.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This approach would have broader benefits where explicit community participation leads to a higher potential for vector control uptake, sustainability and success [ 42 , 43 ]. In terms of drone usage, whilst a pre-deployment study identified strong community support for the use of this technology in Zanzibar [ 40 ], community-based drone mapping is not necessarily recommended, as surveys of this nature require permits and approval that is more appropriately obtained by the NMCP.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cost and quality of operational larviciding using drones and smartphone technology

Hardy,

Haji,

Abbas

et al. 2023

Malar J

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Background Larval Source Management (LSM) is an important tool for malaria vector control and is recommended by WHO as a supplementary vector control measure. LSM has contributed in many successful attempts to eliminate the disease across the Globe. However, this approach is typically labour-intensive, largely due to the difficulties in locating and mapping potential malarial mosquito breeding sites. Previous studies have demonstrated the potential for drone imaging technology to map malaria vector breeding sites. However, key questions remain unanswered related to the use and cost of this technology within operational vector control. Methods Using Zanzibar (United Republic of Tanzania) as a demonstration site, a protocol was collaboratively designed that employs drones and smartphones for supporting operational LSM, termed the Spatial Intelligence System (SIS). SIS was evaluated over a four-month LSM programme by comparing key mapping accuracy indicators and relative costs (both mapping costs and intervention costs) against conventional ground-based methods. Additionally, malaria case incidence was compared between the SIS and conventional study areas, including an estimation of the incremental cost-effectiveness of switching from conventional to SIS larviciding. Results The results demonstrate that the SIS approach is significantly more accurate than a conventional approach for mapping potential breeding sites: mean % correct per site: SIS = 60% (95% CI 32–88%, p = 0.02), conventional = 18% (95% CI − 3–39%). Whilst SIS cost more in the start-up phase, overall annualized costs were similar to the conventional approach, with a simulated cost per person protected per year of $3.69 ($0.32 to $15.12) for conventional and $3.94 ($0.342 to $16.27) for SIS larviciding. The main economic benefits were reduced labour costs associated with SIS in the pre-intervention baseline mapping of habitats. There was no difference in malaria case incidence between the three arms. Cost effectiveness analysis showed that SIS is likely to provide similar health benefits at similar costs compared to the conventional arm. Conclusions The use of drones and smartphones provides an improved means of mapping breeding sites for use in operational LSM. Furthermore, deploying this technology does not appear to be more costly than a conventional ground-based approach and, as such, may represent an important tool for Malaria Control Programmes that plan to implement LSM.

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“…This methodology helps us to understand the urban landscape and housing environments, and these elements could also be associated with other vectors, such as kissing bugs and ticks. Community participation in novel vector control technologies will be necessary for future interventions [64][65][66] and to promote public health policies supported by correct drone operations. A limitation in the estimation of kernel density was the number of samples taken within the polygons of each dwelling (100 sample pixels) as well as the size of the study site itself (approximately 80 Ha.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mapping the Urban Environments of Aedes aegypti Using Drone Technology

Valdez-Delgado,

Garcia-Salazar,

Moo-Llanes

et al. 2023

Drones

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Aedes aegypti is widely distributed worldwide and is the main vector mosquito for dengue, one of the most important infectious diseases in middle- and low-income countries. The landscape composition and vegetation cover determine appropriate environments for this mosquito to breed, and it is fundamental to define the most affordable methodology to understand these landscape variables in urban environments. The proposed methodology integrated drone technologies and traditional entomological surveillance to strengthen our knowledge about areas suitable for Ae. aegypti infestation. We included an analysis using the vegetation indexes, NDVI and NDVIRe, and their association with Ae. aegypti larvae and adults in houses from the El Vergel neighborhood Tapachula, Chiapas, Mexico. We used drone technology to obtain high-resolution photos and performed multispectral orthomosaic constructions for the data of vegetation indexes with a kernel density analysis. A negative binomial regression was performed to determine the association between the numbers of Ae. aegypti larvae and adults with the kernel density based on NDVI and NDVIRe. Medium and high values of kernel density of NDVIRe (both p-value < 0.05) and NDVI (both p-value < 0.05) were associated with a higher amount of mosquito adults per houses. The density of Ae. aegypti larvae per house did not show an association with medium and high values of NDVIRe (both p-value > 0.05) and NDVI (both p-value > 0.05). The vegetation indexes, NDVI and NDVIRe, have potential as precise predictors of Ae. aegypti adult mosquito circulation in urban environments. Drone technology can be used to map and obtain landscape characteristics associated with mosquito abundance in urban environments.

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Conditional trust: Community perceptions of drone use in malaria control in Zanzibar

Cited by 13 publications

References 28 publications

Considerations for first field trials of low-threshold gene drive for malaria vector control

Considerations for first field trials of low-threshold gene drive for malaria vector control

Cost and quality of operational larviciding using drones and smartphone technology

Mapping the Urban Environments of Aedes aegypti Using Drone Technology

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