Wearable Repellent for Day Biting Mosquitoes

Combating Malaria with WearSpray: Bridging the Protection Gap for Women and Children

Introduction

Malaria continues to be a relentless threat, with global cases rising to 249 million in 2022 and over 608,000 deaths—primarily among children under five and pregnant women in Africa. Traditional methods like bed nets and indoor residual spraying are proving insufficient, especially as mosquitoes adapt and bite more frequently during the day. To effectively combat this, we need innovative solutions that protect people at all times, especially when they are most vulnerable—during the day and early evening.

The Critical Gap

Women and children are disproportionately affected by malaria, yet they often lack adequate protection during peak mosquito activity times outside of sleeping hours. Existing preventive measures fail to address the increasing prevalence of day-biting mosquitoes, leaving these vulnerable populations at heightened risk. Our mission is to bridge this critical gap by providing a practical, sustainable solution that empowers women and children to protect themselves and their communities.

Our Solution: WearSpray

WearSpray is an innovative, wearable mosquito repellent device designed to offer continuous, eco-friendly protection against day-biting mosquitoes. Worn on the wrist, it ensures immediate and sustained defense during the day when traditional methods fall short. Our patented system allows for instant refilling without the need for secondary devices; simply press the face of the device to release a stream of repellent directly from the reservoir.

Key Features and Benefits

  • Cost-Effective: Affordable and long-lasting, providing excellent value for users in low-income regions.
  • Empowering Distribution: Leveraging local schools and community centers to distribute WearSpray, focusing on reaching women and children.
  • Instantly Refillable: Easy and quick to refill at community "Refill Stations," ensuring continuous protection without disposable containers.
  • Eco-Friendly: Reduces waste by eliminating the need for single-use repellent packaging; designed with environmentally conscious materials.
  • Effective Protection: Provides reliable defense against day-biting mosquitoes, addressing a critical gap in current malaria prevention strategies.
  • User-Friendly: Comfortable to wear and easy to use, making it accessible for all ages, especially for children.
  • Community Engagement: Encourages local participation and education, fostering a proactive approach to malaria prevention.

 

 

Our Research Program

We are launching a comprehensive research program to validate the efficacy and impact of WearSpray in malaria-endemic communities. A key innovation in our program is the integration of Near Field Communication (NFC) or Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology into our wearable devices. This allows us to:

  • Enhanced Data Collection: By embedding NFC/RFID chips into the WearSpray bands, we can accurately monitor refilling frequencies and usage consistency among users. This data is crucial for understanding engagement levels and optimizing our distribution strategy.
  • Behavioral Insights: Tracking refilling patterns helps us identify usage trends and potential barriers to regular use, enabling us to tailor educational programs and improve device design for better adoption.
  • Collaborative Oversight: We are partnering with reputable organizations and health agencies to ensure ethical management and oversight of the collected data. These collaborations help us align with best practices in data privacy and public health research.
  • Best Practices Development: Working closely with our partners, we aim to refine our methodologies and share insights that contribute to broader malaria prevention efforts.

     

    Empowering Women and Children

    By targeting our efforts toward women and children, we aim to empower these groups as key agents of change in the fight against malaria. Educating and equipping them with WearSpray not only protects them personally but also enables them to advocate for and educate others in their communities.

    How You Can Help

    WearSpray is at the forefront of a research initiative poised to make a significant impact on malaria prevention. We invite you to join us in this mission by:

    • Supporting Our Research: Funding studies that test and refine the effectiveness of WearSpray in real-world settings.
    • Partnering with Us: Collaborating on distribution networks, educational programs, or community outreach initiatives.
    • Spreading the Word: Raising awareness about the critical need for innovative malaria prevention solutions like WearSpray.

    Recent Studies Highlighting the Need

    • Increased Daytime Biting: Recent reports show a 30% rise in mosquito activity during the day, especially in Africa, where malaria transmission is highest.
    • Vulnerable Populations: Pregnant women, children under five, and displaced individuals are particularly at risk, often unprotected during peak mosquito activity times.

    Why Aren’t Repellents Used More Widely?

    Despite their proven efficacy, repellents are underutilized in malaria-endemic areas due to:

    • Preference for LLINs: Long-lasting insecticidal nets are often favored for their durability and cost-effectiveness.
    • Affordability: The cost of repellents can be prohibitive in low-income regions.
    • Lack of Awareness: Many are unaware of the benefits of repellents as a malaria prevention tool.

    Our Method

    To overcome these barriers, we propose a comprehensive education and distribution program:

    • Refill Stations: Establishing easy-access points in schools and community centers where users can refill their WearSpray devices.
    • Educational Outreach: Conducting workshops and seminars to inform communities about the benefits of repellents and proper usage of WearSpray.
    • Community Involvement: Engaging local leaders and health workers to promote adoption and sustained use of the device.

    Get Involved

    We are eager to collaborate with partners, donors, and volunteers who share our vision of a malaria-free future. Your involvement is crucial in:

    • Expanding Our Reach: Helping us distribute WearSpray to the communities that need it most.
    • Enhancing Our Research: Providing resources to conduct extensive field studies and improve our technology.
    • Educating Communities: Assisting in the development and dissemination of educational materials.

    Join Us in Making a Lasting Difference

    By working together, we can address the critical protection gap for women and children affected by malaria. WearSpray is more than a product; it's a movement toward sustainable, community-driven health solutions. Contact us today to learn how you can be part of this transformative initiative.



    Get Involved:
    We are eager to collaborate with partners and supporters who share our vision. By joining forces, we can create a future where malaria no longer poses a deadly threat.

    REFERENCES:

    Mukisa, M. C., Kassano, J. J., Mwalugelo, Y. A., Ntege, C., Kahamba, N. F., Finda, M. F., Msugupakulya, B. J., Ngowo, H. S., & Okumu, F. O. (2024). Analysis of the 24-h biting patterns and human exposures to malaria vectors in south-eastern Tanzania. Parasites & Vectors, 17(65). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-024-06521-0

    Claire Sangbakembi-Ngounou et al. (2021). Diurnal biting of malaria mosquitoes in the Central African Republic indicates residual transmission may be out of control.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 118 (28), e2104282119.

    Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Insect repellents help prevent malaria and other diseases spread by mosquitoes [PDF]. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/media/pdfs/2024/05/repellents_2015.pdf

    Penn State. (2020, May 4). Malaria risk is highest in early evening. ScienceDaily. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200504114037.htm