Integrating land use plans in malaria control with mosquito repellent plants in homesteads in Tanzania

Abstract

Apart from the conventional malaria control schemes over the decades, there is gradual growing interest in multipurpose plant species with repellence activity against mosquitoes and other nuisance organisms in the homesteads. Ethnobotanical study in selected districts in Tanzania employed statistical Use Value (UV) model to rank and recommend priority repellent plants used by local communities. The five top ranking repellent plant species according to UV analysis were Ocimum basilicum, Hyptis suaveolense, Azadirachta indica, Cocos nucifera and and Schinus mole. Qualitative assessment of repellence activity for selected plants was performed in different forms such as smoking, infusion and natural scent to validate repellence activity. Basic soil parameters viz. Ca, Mg, Na, P, N, organic matter, cation exchange capacity and pH from the plants habitats were determined to facilitate transplanting of recommended plants in new environments. Community perception on planting non-traditional crops on the home yards was assessed to aid in developing plans for integrating repellent plants among other land use priorities on the homesteads. The envisaged long term impact is creation of microclimate complex at rural homesteads simultaneously capable of providing diverse domestic needed plant products while controlling mosquitoes and other non-friendly organisms from the homesteads.