Using treated fabric strips to prevent malaria transmission outdoors

Spatial repellents to reduce the outdoor transmission of malaria

NIH-funded research University of California, San Francisco · NIH-10950844

This study is looking at special fabric strips that help keep mosquitoes away to see if they can reduce malaria bites for people working outdoors, like forest rangers, in places like Thailand and Cambodia.

Quick facts

Grant typeCareer grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California, San Francisco NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (San Francisco, United States)
Project IDNIH-10950844 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the effectiveness of transfluthrin-treated hessian fabric strips (TTHFS) in reducing mosquito bites that transmit malaria in outdoor settings. The project involves analyzing data from previous studies in Tanzania and conducting field tests in Thailand and Cambodia to assess how environmental factors like temperature and humidity affect the strips' efficacy. Additionally, it aims to understand how users, such as forest rangers, perceive these fabric strips and identify any barriers to their use. The goal is to develop a viable public health intervention to combat malaria transmission outdoors.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals living in or traveling to areas with high outdoor malaria transmission, particularly in Tanzania, Thailand, and Cambodia.

Not a fit: Patients who do not live in malaria-endemic regions or those who are not exposed to outdoor environments where malaria transmission occurs may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a new method for significantly reducing outdoor malaria transmission, improving public health outcomes in affected regions.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown promise with similar interventions, but this specific approach using TTHFS is relatively novel and aims to build on existing knowledge.

Where this research is happening

San Francisco, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.