Effect of artificial lights on Aedes eggs in strata residential in Selangor, Malaysia: a field cluster randomized control trial

Abstract

Background Dengue fever remains the deadliest infectious disease in tropical and subtropical regions. Even though numerous vector control measures have been taken, dengue incidence has continued to rise in the country due to rapid urbanization, population increase, and vertical housing development. Few studies examine the association between light intensity and Aedes and dengue. This study assesses how artificial light interventions may affect Aedes population density and dengue incidence in strata residential buildings in Malaysia. Methods This study was a two-armed, single-blinded, parallel, stratified cluster-randomized trial conducted in epidemiology week (EW) 41 until EW 52 in 2022. Nine intervention sites were applied with artificial light and the standard operating procedure of dengue control. The Aedes density was measured using paddle ovitraps placed at the study sites weekly. The ovitrap index and egg density index were calculated for each site. Results The recovered ovitraps (50.2%) and positive ovitraps (50.3%) were higher among control sites than intervention sites. In both arm groups, positive ovitrap was the highest at a 1-month post-intervention follow-up compared to baseline and immediate post-intervention period. Among intervention sites, the total Aedes eggs were lowest during baseline (24.2%), meanwhile among control sites was during immediate post-intervention (25.2%). There was no significant difference in the ovitrap index between intervention and control sites in the study (β = -3.156, 95% CI: -10.151, 3.839, p = 0.368). Meanwhile, there was a statistically significant difference in egg density index between intervention and control sites (β = 12.607, 95% CI: 3.295, 21.918; p = 0.009). Conclusion Artificial light can serve as a novel approach in vector control for mitigating the transmission of Aedes-borne illnesses. This alternative method could supplement existing insecticide approaches or human behavioural prevention programs. Implementing an innovative device that integrates artificial light as a dengue control is a feasible solution in the future. This study was registered under the Thai Clinical Trials Registry (TCTR) on April 3rd, 2023, with the identification number is TCTR20230403006