Bibliographic information
Recommendation
WHO recommends against combining insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) and IRS and that priority be given to delivering either ITNs or Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) at optimal coverage and to a high standard, rather than introducing the second intervention as a means to compensate for deficiencies in the implementation of the first intervention.
Recommended against
Conditional
Certainty of evidence
Moderate
Notes and Remarks
Remarks In settings where optimal ITN coverage, as specified in the strategic plan, has been achieved and where ITNs remain effective, additionally implementing IRS may have limited utility in reducing malaria morbidity and mortality. Given the resource constraints across malaria endemic countries, it is recommended that effort be focused on good-quality implementation of either ITNs or IRS, rather than deploying both in the same area. However, the combination of these interventions may be considered for resistance prevention, mitigation or management should sufficient resources be available.
Practical Info Given the resource constraints across malaria-endemic countries, the deployment of a second vector control intervention on top of optimal coverage with an existing one should only be considered as part of a broader prioritization analysis aimed at achieving maximum impact with the available resources. In many settings, a switch from ITNs to IRS or vice versa, rather than their combination, is likely to be the only financially feasible option.
Also Featured In
This recommendation also appears in the following guidelines:
Guidelines for Malaria Vector Control
WHO guidelines for malaria, 16 February 2021.
WHO guidelines for malaria, 13 July 2021.
WHO guidelines for malaria, 31 March 2022.
WHO guidelines for malaria, 3 June 2022.
WHO guidelines for malaria, 25 November 2022.
WHO guidelines for malaria, 16 October 2023.
WHO Guidelines for malaria, 14 March 2023
WHO guidelines for malaria, 30 November 2024.