Impact of chemical interventions on reducing dengue, Zika, and chikungunya: a systematic review.

Objective: Given that vector control represents the primary strategy for preventing these diseases, the objective of this systematic review is to ascertain the efficacy of chemical interventions in reducing their burden.

Methods: The PRISMA guidelines were followed to search for experimental studies published between 1987 and 2024 in English, Portuguese, and Spanish. Medline, Embase, WOS-Core Collection, Scopus, Lilacs, Cochrane Library, and Biological Science Database were consulted to identify studies using incidence or prevalence as outcome variables of interest.

Results: Of the 2 232 references initially retrieved, 8 articles were included in the review. All studies used entomological indices along with disease burden indices to measure intervention impact. Three studies evaluated the use of insecticide-impregnated curtains alone, one combined those with residual insecticide treatment in dwellings, one evaluated the use of insecticide-impregnated school uniforms, and the remaining three evaluated household insecticide application. Only four of the eight articles showed some level of efficacy of chemical interventions in reducing dengue prevalence or incidence.

Conclusion: The chemical interventions under examination did not result in a notable reduction in the burden of these diseases within the population, which would appear contradictory given the prominent role of chemical interventions in vector-borne disease control programs.