The absence of portable mosquito prevention creates a vulnerability to contracting malaria outdoors for farmers, who comprise OVER 70% of Nigeria’s population. Nigeria’s status is among the HIGHEST contributor of malaria cases worldwide at 27%. Of this, farmers make up 67.4%. Since 1952, organizations such as UNICEF have only offered fixed-use prevention, with no immediate plans to incorporate portability.
Prevention: The device must provide mosquito prevention for the 5th to 95th percentile of farmers in Nigeria, whose heights range from 156 cm to 172 cm.
Ergonomics: It was important to incorporate adjustable straps and weight restrictions, allowing maximum comfort and complete range of motion.
Durability: The harsh environments that Nigeria endures require UV resistance, and a seal preventing sand from entering the device.
Extension: The device must be able to extend the base time of the selected repellent.
Currently on the market, there are both portable methods, which include spray repellent and citronella bracelets, and fixed solutions, which include netting and citronella candles. Reapplying spray repellent is crucial, requiring the user to carry it around. Bracelets have been found very unreliable and have a fixed limit before needing replacement. In addition, netting restricts the user movements to the confined area and candles require to the user to be in that range to provide protection.
The final prototype is a four part device that allows the user to open or close for a control flow of repellent. The device is made up of HDPE and can be worn with the straps attached to both ends.
This video demonstrates placing a custom made repellent that would come with the device and shows the function of allowing a control flow of repellent through a simple twist motion.
The citronella from the bracelet repels mosquitoes and gives off particles detectable by the TVOC monitor. The bracelet disperses the citronella in every direction. Inserting the bracelet into the device prevents random dispersion and directs it, allowing for control of the amount of particles released. The test aims to determine the rate of change in duration from the bracelet without the device to the bracelet in the device. On average, the device extended the bracelet's duration by three hours.
The second test measured the TVOC output from the device at three different distances. The three distances were head to back, arm length, and back to foot in the 99th percentile of Nigerian farmers. The three lid slit sizes were 4 mm, 7mm, and 12 mm. A 7mm opening was optimal for controlling flow and mosquito prevention throughout the body.
Develop the seal for a longer repellent extension
Design to function in inclement weather such as rain.
Potential partnership with an aid organization to send the device to areas ravaged by malaria, such as Nigeria.
