Introducing researchers involved in vector control to modelling for operational decision-making in Benin: report of the workshop, January 17–18, 2024

(2025) 24:294 Konkon et al. Malaria Journal https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-025-05561-w Malaria Journal Open Access MEETING REPORT Introducing researchers involved in vector control to modelling for operational decision‑making in Benin: report of the workshop, January 17–18, 2024 Alphonse Keller Konkon1,2*, David Mahouton Zoungbédji1,2, Geoffroy Yahoue1, Arthur Sovi1,4, Albert Sourou Salako1, Isidore Hoyochi1, Merveille Koissi Savi3, Jonas Doumate3, Filémon Tonkponnon1, Razacki Ossè1, Rock Aikpon1, Casimir Kpanou1, Come Koukpo1, Arsène Fasinou1, Juvénal Ahouandjinou1, Linda Towakinou1, Steve Zinsou Hougbe1, Gérard Totongnon1, Boulais Yovogan1, Constantin Adoha1, Hermann Sagbohan1, Esdras Odjo1, Olivier Oussou1, Roseric Azondekon1, Martin Codjo Akogbéto1 and Germain Gil Padonou1,2 Abstract Malaria continues to pose a major threat despite numerous efforts aimed at reducing its incidence and ultimately eliminating the disease. The majority of malaria cases occur in Africa. According to the World Health Organization, one of the key reasons for the continued presence of malaria is financial constraints. It is, therefore, crucial to make the most efficient use of the limited resources available. Data generated from control efforts must be thoroughly analysed to inform effective decision-making. In this context, predictive approaches can play a vital role. Predictive modelling, in particular, has proven to be a powerful and cost-effective tool for guiding policymakers and improving the impact of interventions. It was within this framework that the workshop was held with the aim of strengthening the capacity building of stakeholders involved in malaria control in Benin in data analysis and the application of modelling to support operational decision-making. This report presents a summary of the key presentations, trainings, and activities conducted during the workshop, which took place on January 17–18, 2024, at Hôtel du Lac in Cotonou, Benin. Keywords Modelling, Malaria, Workshop, AMMnet, Decision-makers *Correspondence: Alphonse Keller Konkon 1 Centre de Recherche Entomologique de Cotonou (CREC), Ministère de La Santé, Cotonou, Littoral, Benin 2 Laboratory of Biology and Molecular Typing in Microbiology, University of Abomey-Calavi, Abomey‑Calavi, Benin 3 Faculty of Science and Technology, Abomey‑Calavi, Benin 4 Faculty of Agronomy, Université de Parakou, Parakou, Benin Background Malaria remains one of the major global health challenges. Despite numerous efforts to combat this disease, it continues to cause significant harm. Fighting malaria requires substantial financial resources. Moreover, the World Health Organization (WHO) has repeatedly issued warnings about the persistent lack of funding for malaria control efforts [1]. The WHO further noted that progress in the fight against malaria could stall or even reverse, resulting in the loss of thousands of lives in © The Author(s) 2025. Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License, which permits any non-commercial use, sharing, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if you modified the licensed material. You do not have permission under this licence to share adapted material derived from this article or parts of it. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article’s Creative Commons licence, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the article’s Creative Commons licence and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/. Konkon et al. Malaria Journal (2025) 24:294 endemic countries [1–3]. Given this context, it is crucial to make efficient use of the limited resources available and to explore robust, low-cost approaches. Modelling is one such alternative that could play a key role under these resource-constrained conditions. It can help identify the most effective combinations of tools, such as insecticide-treated nets (ITNs), Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) and antimalarial treatments, while avoiding unnecessary and costly interventions [4, 5]. Because large-scale field trials require significant funding, researchers are increasingly considering how data from experimental hut trials evaluating vector control tools (long-lasting insecticidal nets, indoor residual spraying, or antimalarial drugs) could be used to predict their effectiveness at the community level [6]. Spatial modelling is also used to forecast the spread of invasive vector species. These applications highlight the growing importance of modelling in malaria control and the need for professionals involved in this fight to acquire relevant skills. In response, the Centre de Recherche Entomologique de Cotonou (CREC), with financial support from the Applied Malaria Modeling Network (AMMnet), organized a workshop to introduce stakeholders engaged in malaria control in Benin to the use of modelling. The goal of the workshop was to increase the capacity building of personnel from CREC, the National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP), and other research institutions involved in malaria control. More specifically, the workshop aimed to (i) raise awareness among stakeholders about the value of modelling in vector control strategies; (ii) introduce participants in the process of designing models to address malaria-related challenges; and (iii) strengthen and promote collaboration and knowledge exchange between entomologists and modellers in Benin. The workshop brought together several participants from various institutions in Benin involved in malaria control, including the National Malaria Control Programme (or Programme National de Lutte contre le Paludisme, PNLP), the Centre de Recherche Entomologique de Cotonou (CREC), USAID, CHAI, UNITAID, the Regional Institute of Public Health (IRSP), the Laboratory of Biomathematics and Forest Estimations (LABEF), the University of Abomey-Calavi, and the University of Parakou, along with a modelling expert from Harvard Medical School (Boston, USA). The following sections describe the key stages and activities of the workshop. Opening ceremony and welcome addresses The workshop began with welcome remarks from various officials. Professor Padonou, director of the Centre de Recherche Entomologique de Cotonou (CREC), opened the session by welcoming all participants. He was Page 2 of 4 followed by Dr. Batonon, the National Coordinator of the PNLP, and by Professor Akogbeto. In his speech, Professor Padonou also presented the background and objectives of the workshop (as outlined above) and encouraged a (...truncated)