Skip to main content

Table 1 Summary of systematic reviews on dengue vector control from 2007 to 2016

From: Assessing the effects of interventions for Aedes aegypti control: systematic review and meta-analysis of cluster randomised controlled trials

Author and year

Focus of the review

Number of studies

Epidemiological design of the included studies

Main conclusions

Heintze (2007) [14]

Community-based dengue control interventions

11

2 Randomized controlled trials

3 Interrupted time series

6 Before-after analysed trials

Interventions and outcomes varied. Six studies combined community participation programmes with dengue control tools. Only 2 papers reported confidence intervals; 5 reported p-values; none were cluster randomized. Weak evidence that community-based programmes alone or in combination can enhance dengue control.

Erlanger (2008) [15]

Effect of different dengue control methods on entomological indices in developing countries.

(With meta-analysis)

56

2 Cluster randomized control trials

2 Randomized controlled trials

23 Non-randomized controlled trials

2 Interrupted time series

24 Before-after analysed trials

3 Observational studies

Integrated vector management most effective method to reduce CI, HI and BI. Environmental management alone relatively low effectiveness. Biological control targeted small numbers; IVM targeted larger populations. Most effective is a community-based, integrated approach, tailored and combined with educational programmes.

Pilger (2008) [16]

Response to dengue outbreaks

24

4 Non-randomized controlled trials

2 Interrupted time series

4 Before-after analysed trials

14 Observational studies

Combined interventions of vector control (community involvement & use of insecticides), training of medical personnel, plus laboratory support, helped control outbreaks. Spatial spraying of insecticides alone ineffective and its usefulness with other interventions is doubtful.

Ballenger-Browning (2009) [17]

Impact of biological, chemical and educational interventions on entomological indices

21

2 Cluster randomized control trials

3 Randomized controlled trials

3 Interrupted time series,

13 Non-randomized controlled trials

Evidence of efficacy lacking: poor study designs and lack of congruent entomologic indices. Need more cluster randomized controlled trials.

Esu (2010) [18]

Effect of peridomestic insecticide spraying on dengue transmission

15

1 Cluster randomized control trial

14 Before-after analysed trials

Few studies of effectiveness of peri-domestic space spraying. Best applied as part of IVM. Need to measure impact of spraying on adult and immature mosquitoes and disease transmission.

Al-Muhandis (2011) [19]

Impact of educational messages and community based approach

(With meta-analysis)

21

3 Cluster randomized control trials

4 Non-randomized controlled trials

14 Before-after analysed trials

Important impact of educational messages in a community-based approach on larval indices. Very heterogeneous effect size with different study designs; interpretation of pooled results difficult.

Boyce (2013) [20]

Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) for the control of dengue vectors

14

2 Cluster randomized control trials

1 Randomized controlled trial

11 Non-randomized controlled trials

Bti can reduce the number of immature Aedes in the short term, but very limited evidence that Bti alone can reduce dengue morbidity. Need to measure impact of Bti in combination with other strategies to control dengue vectors.

George (2015) [21]

Community effectiveness of temephos for dengue control

27

3 Cluster randomized control trials

11 Non-randomized controlled trials

13 Before-after analysed trials

Temephos alone suppressed entomological indices; did not do so when combined with other interventions. No evidence that temephos use is associated with reduced dengue transmission.

Han (2015) [22]

Efficacy and community effectiveness of larvivorous fish for dengue vector control

13

9 Non-randomized controlled trials

4 Before-after analysed trials

Larvivorous fish alone or combined with other control measures may reduce immature vector stages. Study limitations preclude conclusions about community effectiveness. Need cluster randomised controlled trials with measurement of impact on dengue transmission

Lazaro (2015) [23]

Community effectiveness of copepods for dengue vector control

11

11 Non-randomized controlled trials

Limited evidence of impact of cyclopoid copepods as a single intervention. Very few studies; more needed in other communities and environments.

Lima (2015) [24]

Impact of chemical, physical and biological control

(With meta analysis)

26

6 Cluster randomized control trials

16 Non-randomized controlled trials,

4 Before-after analysed trials

The most effective control method was IVM, starting with community empowerment as active agents of vector control.

Bowman (2016) [25]

Effectiveness of different control methods, alone and in combination, on vector indices and dengue transmission

(With meta analysis)

39

7 Cluster randomized control trials

2 Randomized controlled trials

8 Non-randomized controlled trials

11 Interrupted time series

5 Before-after analysed trials

6 Observational studies

Lack of reliable evidence on the effectiveness of any dengue vector control method. High quality studies (such as CRCTs) are needed, with measurement of effect on dengue transmission as well as vector indices.

  1. Total of 278 studies reviewed (with considerable overlap): 26 CRCTs; 10 RCTs; 110 non-randomised controlled trials; 21 interrupted time series; 88 before-after analyses; 23 observational studies