Research agenda for preventing mosquito-transmitted diseases through improving the built environment in sub-Saharan Africa

Shenton, Fiona C; Addissie, Adamu; Alabaster, Graham; Baziwe, Dorothy; Carrasco Tenezaca, Maria; Chinula, Dingani; Jatta, Ebrima; Jawara, Musa; Jones, Robert; Knudsen, Jakob; +16 more... Krystosik, Amy Robyn; McCann, Robert; Murima, Ng’Ang’a; Mutuku, Francis; Nguela, Rachel Laure; Nieto Sanchez, Claudia; Nix, Emily; Okumu, Fredros; Ruel-Bergeron, Sarah; Spitzen, Jeroen; Tusting, Lucy S; Wilson, Anne L; Wood, Hannah; Zahouli Bi Zahouli, Julien; Davies, Michael; Lindsay, Steve W; (2019) Research agenda for preventing mosquito-transmitted diseases through improving the built environment in sub-Saharan Africa. Cities & Health, 6 (1). pp. 72-80. ISSN 2374-8834 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/23748834.2019.1684771

Abstract

Mosquito-transmitted diseases are a major threat to health in sub-Saharan Africa, but could be reduced through modifications to the built environment. Here we report findings from a major workshop held to identify the research gaps in this area, namely: (1) evidence of the health benefits to changes to the built environment, (2) understanding how mosquitoes enter buildings, (3) novel methods for reducing mosquito-house entry, (4) sustainable approaches for reducing mosquito habitats, (5) case studies of micro-financing for healthy homes and (6) methods for increasing scale-up. Multidisciplinary research is essential to build out mosquito-transmitted diseases, and not build them in.