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. 2020 Sep 24;14(9):e0008696.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008696. eCollection 2020 Sep.

Feasibility of community-based control of tsetse: A pilot project using Tiny Targets in the Democratic Republic of Congo

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Feasibility of community-based control of tsetse: A pilot project using Tiny Targets in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Catiane Vander Kelen et al. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. .

Abstract

Gambiense Human African Trypanosomiasis (g-HAT) is a neglected tropical disease caused by trypanosomes transmitted by tsetse flies. 70% of cases in 2019 (604/863) occurred in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The national programme for g-HAT elimination in DRC includes a large-scale deployment of Tiny Targets which attract and kill tsetse. This intervention is directed by vector-control specialists with small teams, moving in canoes, deploying Tiny Targets along riverbanks where tsetse concentrate. While the targets are deployed in communal areas, and the method is cheap and easy-to-use, local people have little involvement. This study aimed to evaluate if a community-led vector control programme was feasible in the context of DRC's g-HAT elimination programme. In 2017, a community-led intervention was implemented in three villages in the Kwilu province of DRC. This intervention was evaluated through an Action Research with qualitative data collected through 21 focus group discussions and 289 hours of observation. Also the geographical location and quality of each Tiny Targets were collected (total number deployed = 2429). This research revealed that community-based approach largely worked: people were motivated and proactive, showed a good application of the acquired knowledge resulting in an effective deployment of Tiny Targets. In addition, our study provided evidence that acceptability of the targets by the community can improve deployment quality by reducing target loss and damage. The approach was feasible in places where canoe-based teams could not reach. Against these advantages, a community-based approach was time-consuming and had to adapt to the seasonal and daily rhythms of the community. A community-based approach for tsetse control is technically feasible and recommended but limits to the speed and scale of the approach restraints its application as a standalone strategy in a large-scale national programme aiming to eliminate g-HAT in a short timeframe.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist. Authors Prof. Marleen Boelaert and Erick Miaka were unable to confirm their authorship contributions. On their behalf, the corresponding author, Catiane Vander Kelen, has reported their contributions to the best of her knowledge.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. Tsetse Trap deployed to measure fly density before Tiny Targets deployment.
(Credit: ST).
Fig 2
Fig 2. Tiny Target deployed by a Kisoko committee member.
(Credit: CVK).
Fig 3
Fig 3. Location of the three pilot villages in the Dunda health area, Yassa Bonga health zone, Kwilu provinceplus de main rivers, tributaries and fishponds (Original work:CVK & RS).
Fig 4
Fig 4. Human-Made Fishponds in Yasa Bonga Health Zone.
(Credit: CVK).
Fig 5
Fig 5. Village map drawn by Kimwilu Kuba Vector Control Committee members: Distribution of the ponds network and perceived contact points.
(Credit: CVK).
Fig 6
Fig 6. Three Pilot village committee first Tiny Targets deployment (August 2017): GPS device.
(Original work: CVK & RS).
Fig 7
Fig 7. Duration of the vector control activity by Villages and by Tiny Targets deployment: Preparation and Tiny Targets deployment.
(Original work: CVK).

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Grants and funding

The study was funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (https://www.gatesfoundation.org/) within a project called Trypelim (grant agreement number: OPP1136014). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.