An An ethnobotanical survey of plants used against host-seeking mosquitoes by communities in Mazowe and Shamva districts, Zimbabwe

Authors

  • David Singleton Nyasvisvo University of Zimbabwe, Department of Biological Sciences and Ecology, P. O. Box MP Mt. Pleasant, Harare Zimbabwe
  • Tamuka Nhiwatiwa University of Zimbabwe, Department of Biological Sciences and Ecology, P. O. Box MP167 Mt. Pleasant, Harare Zimbabwe; University Lake Kariba Research Station, P. O. Box 48, Kariba, Zimbabwe
  • Rudo Sithole University of Zimbabwe, Department of Biological Sciences and Ecology, P. O. Box MP167 Mt Pleasant, Harare, Zimbabwe
  • Shadreck Sande Zimbabwe Assistance Program in Malaria, Suite 1 & 2 House East Westgate Complex, Harare, Zimbabwe
  • Christopher Chapano National Herbarium and Botanic Garden, Fifth Street Extension, Alexandra Park, P. O. Box A889, Avondale, Harare, Zimbabwe

Abstract

Background: There is a dearth of information on plants used to repel mosquitoes in many rural malaria-endemic communities in Zimbabwe. The objective was to assess and document the knowledge and usage customs of mosquito-repellent plants among the people of Mazowe and Shamva districts.

Methods: Interviewer-administered questionnaires and key informant interviews were used to collect data on knowledge, perception, and practices concerning the use of mosquito-repellent plants against malaria-transmitting mosquitoes.

Results: A total of 144 key informants, selected using snowball sampling, were interviewed between April and June 2023. A total of 53 plant species from 29 families consisting of 33 (62%) native and 20 (38%) exotic plants were listed. The relative frequency of citation (RFC) values ranged from 0.01 to 0.97, the highest being for Lippia javanica (Burm.f.) Spreng (0.97) and Ocimum incanum L (0.71). Fabaceae (17%) and Asteraceae (11%) were the most represented families. Leaves (43%) were the most commonly utilized parts while burning plant parts to produce smoke (57%), hanging plants inside rooms (21%), and application of plant extracts on the skin (21%) were the most common methods of application. Amongst the plants with high RFC values, it appears five have not been ethnobotanically studied for mosquito repellency in the country.

Conclusion: The communities in Mazowe and Shamva districts have substantial ethnobotanical knowledge of mosquito-repellent plants. Ethnobotanical knowledge gathered in this study provides us with many new potential plants for follow-up research for the development of plant-based mosquito repellents.

Keywords: Ethnobotanical; Indigenous knowledge; Mosquito-repellent plants; Malaria-transmitting mosquitoes; Plant-based repellents.

Downloads

Published

2024-01-17

How to Cite

Nyasvisvo, D. S., Nhiwatiwa, T., Sithole, R. ., Sande, S., & Chapano, C. (2024). An An ethnobotanical survey of plants used against host-seeking mosquitoes by communities in Mazowe and Shamva districts, Zimbabwe. Ethnobotany Research and Applications, 28, 1–19. Retrieved from https://ethnobotanyjournal.org/index.php/era/article/view/5661

Issue

Vol. 28 (2024)

Section

Research

License

All articles are copyrighted by the first author and are published online by license from the first author. Articles are intended for free public distribution and discussion without charge. Accuracy of the content is the responsibility of the authors.