Skip to main content
Key Specialties
Cardiology Diabetology Endocrinology Gastroenterology Geriatrics and Gerontology Gynecology and Obstetrics Hematology Infectious Disease Internal Medicine Nephrology Neurology Oncology Pediatrics Respiratory Medicine Rheumatology Surgery
Congress Coverage
2024 ACC Congress 2023 ESMO Congress 2023 EASD Congress 2023 ERS Congress 2023 ESC Congress
Clinical Collections
Advances in Alzheimer’s

At a glance: The STEP trials

A round-up of the STEP phase 3 clinical trials evaluating semaglutide for weight loss in people with overweight or obesity.
ADVANCED SEARCH
Log in
Top
Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine
Published in: Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 1/2014

Open Access 01-12-2014 | Research

Insect repellent plants traditional usage practices in the Ethiopian malaria epidemic-prone setting: an ethnobotanical survey

Authors: Kaliyaperumal Karunamoorthi, Teklu Hailu

Published in: Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine | Issue 1/2014

Login to get access

Abstract

Background

The usage of insect repellent plants (IRPs) is one of the centuries-old practices in Africa. In Ethiopia, malaria remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, subsequently the majority of people have a tendency to apply various plants as repellents to reduce or interrupt the biting activity of insects. Accordingly, this survey was undertaken to document and evaluate knowledge and usage practices of the local inhabitants on IRPs in the malaria epidemic-prone setting of Ethiopia.

Methods

Ethnobotanical survey was conducted between January and May 2013. Selected 309 household members were interviewed by administering pre-tested questionnaire on knowledge and usage practices of repellent plants, in Bechobore Kebele, Jimma Zone, Ethiopia.

Results

Overall, 70.2% (217/309) and 91.8% (199/217) of the respondents have had ample awareness and usage practices of repellent plants, respectively. Informants cited about twenty-two plant species as repellents and also indicated that these plants are useful(85.5%), accessible(86.8%), and affordable(83.9%) too. Residents mainly applying dried leaves [93.9% (187/199)] by means of burning/smouldering [98.9% (197/199)] with the traditional charcoal stove to repel insects, primarily mosquitoes. About 52.8% (105/199) of the informants using aproximately15g of dried plant-materials every day. A Chi-square analysis shows statistically a significant link between the knowledge on repellent plants and gender as well as average monthly income although not with the age of the respondents. Nevertheless, the repellent plant usage custom was not significantly associated with gender, monthly income, and age of the informants.

Conclusion

Though most of the people have had an adequate awareness still a sizable faction of society suffers with deprivation of IRPs knowledge and usage practices. Therefore, this study calls for more surveys to conserve the existing indigenous knowledge and cultural practices. It could lay the first stone to develop the next generation cost-effective vector control tools in the near future.
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
Literature
1.
World Malaria Report WHO: World Health Organization. 2012, Geneva: Switzerland
2.
3.
Karunamoorthi K, Ilango K: Larvicidal activity of Cymbopogon citratus (DC) Stapf. and Croton macrostachyus Del. against Anopheles arabiensis Patton (Diptera: Culicidae), the principal malaria vector. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2010, 14 (1): 57-62.PubMed
4.
5.
The Carter Center: Summary proceedings 3rd annual malaria control program review. 2012, Ethiopia and Nigeria.The Carter Center, Atlanta, Georgia 30307, United States
6.
FMOH (Federal Ministry Of Health Ethiopia): Malaria Operational Plan Ethiopia. 2012, Addis ababa, Ethiopia: President’s Malaria Initiative
7.
Karunamoorthi K, Deboch B, Tafere Y: Knowledge and practice concerning malaria, insecticide-treated net (ITN) utilization and antimalarial treatment among pregnant women attending specialist antenatal clinics. J Pub Health. 2010, 18 (6): 559-566. 10.1007/s10389-010-0335-9.CrossRef
8.
Karunamoorthi K: Global malaria burden: socialomics implications. J Socialomics. 2012, 1: e108-doi: 10.4172/jsc.1000e108CrossRef
9.
Karunamoorthi K, Bekele M: Prevalence of malaria from peripheral blood smears examination: a 1-year retrospective study from the Serbo Health Center, Kersa Woreda, Ethiopia. Infect Pub Health. 2009, 2 (4): 171-176. 10.1016/j.jiph.2009.08.005.CrossRef
10.
Karunamoorthi K, Yirgalem A: Insecticide risk indicators and occupational insecticidal poisoning in indoor residual spraying. Health Scope. 2013, 1 (4): 166-173. doi: 10.5812/jhs.8344CrossRef
11.
Fornadel CM, Norris LC, Glass GE, Norris DE: Analysis of Anopheles arabiensis blood feeding behavior in southern Zambia during the two years after introduction of insecticide-treated bed nets. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2010, 83 (4): 848-853. 10.4269/ajtmh.2010.10-0242. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.2010.10-0242PubMedCentralCrossRefPubMed
12.
Karunamoorthi K, Sabesan S: Laboratory evaluation of Dimethyl phthalate treated wristbands against three predominant mosquito (Diptera: Culicidae) vectors of disease. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2010, 14 (5): 443-448.PubMed
13.
Seyoum A, Palsson K, Kung’a S, Kabiru EW, Lwande W, Killeen GF, Hassanali A, Knols BG: Traditional use of mosquito-repellent plants in western Kenya and their evaluation in semi-field experimental huts against Anopheles gambiae: ethnobotanical studies and application by thermal expulsion and direct burning. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg. 2002, 96: 225-231. 10.1016/S0035-9203(02)90084-2.CrossRefPubMed
14.
Waka M, Hopkins RJ, Curtis C: Ethnobotanical survey and testing of plants traditionally used against hematophagous insects in Eritrea. J Ethnopharmacol. 2004, 95: 95-101. 10.1016/j.jep.2004.07.003.CrossRefPubMed
15.
Karunamoorthi K, Mulelam A, Wassie F: Laboratory evaluation of traditional insect/mosquito repellent plants against Anopheles arabiensis, the predominant malaria vector in Ethiopia. Parasitol Res. 2008, 103 (3): 529-534. 10.1007/s00436-008-1001-9.CrossRefPubMed
16.
Karunamoorthi K, Mulelam A, Wassie F: Assessment of knowledge and usage custom of traditional insect/mosquito repellent plants in Addis Zemen Town, South Gonder, North Western Ethiopia. J Ethnopharmacol. 2009, 1121 (1): 49-53.CrossRef
17.
Karunamoorthi K, Ilango K, Endale A: Ethnobotanical survey of knowledge and usage custom of traditional insect/mosquito repellent plants among the Ethiopian Oromo ethnic group. J Ethnopharmacol. 2009, 125 (2): 224-229. 10.1016/j.jep.2009.07.008.CrossRefPubMed
18.
Karunamoorthi K, Husen E: Knowledge and self-reported practice of the local inhabitants on traditional insect repellent plants in Western Hararghe Zone, Ethiopia. J Ethnopharmacol. 2012, 141 (1): 212-219. 10.1016/j.jep.2012.02.022. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2012.02.022CrossRefPubMed
19.
Schultes RE: Ethnobotany and technology in the Northwest Amazon: A partnership. Sustainable harvest and marketing of rain forest products. Edited by: Plotkin and Famolare. 1992, CA: Island Press, pp: 45-pp: 76.
20.
CSA (Central Statistical Agency): The Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey 2005. 2006, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: Ethiopian Central Statistical Agency
21.
Ambelu A, Mekonen S, Silassie AG, Malu A, Karunamoorthi K: Physicochemical and biological characteristics of Two Ethiopian wetlands. Wetlands. 2013, 33 (4): 691-698. 10.1007/s13157-013-0424-y. doi: 10.1007/s13157-013-0424-yCrossRef
22.
Edwards S, Demissew S, Hedberg I: Flora of Ethiopia and Eritrea Hydrocharitaceae to Arecaceae. 1997, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and Department of Systematic Botany, Uppsala, Sweden: The National Herbarium, 6:
23.
Edwards S, Tadesse M, Demissew S, Hedberg I: Flora of Ethiopia and Eritrea Magnoliaceae to Flacourtiaceae. 2000, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and Department of Systematic Botany, Uppsala, Sweden: The National Herbarium, 2:
24.
Edwards S, Tadesse M, Hedberg I: Flora of Ethiopia and Eritrea Canellaceae to Euphorbiaceae. 1995, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and Department of Systematic Botany, Uppsala, Sweden: The National Herbarium, 2:
25.
Hedberg I, Edwards S: Flora of Ethiopia and Eritrea Pittosporaceae to Araliaceae. 1989, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and Department of Systematic Botany, Uppsala, Sweden: The National Herbarium, 3:
26.
Hedberg I, Edwards S: Flora of Ethiopia and Eritrea Poaceae. 1995, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and Department of Systematic Botany, Uppsala, Sweden: The National Herbarium, 7:
27.
Hedberg I, Edwards S, Nemomissa S: Flora of Ethiopia and Eritrea Apiaceae to Dipsacaceae. 2003, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and Department of Systematic Botany, Uppsala, Sweden: The National Herbarium, 4:
28.
Hedberg I, Friis I, Edwards S: Flora of Ethiopia and Eritrea Asteraceae. 2004, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and Department of Systematic Botany, Uppsala, Sweden: The National Herbarium, 4:
29.
Valerio L, Maroli M: Evaluation of repellent and anti-feeding effect of garlic oil (Allium sativum) against the bite of phlebotomine sandflies diptera: psychodidae. Ann Ist Super Sanita. 2005, 41 (2): 253-256.PubMed
30.
Bekele D, Asfaw Z, Petros B, Tekie H: Ethnobotanical study of plants used for protection against insect bite and for the treatment of livestock health problems in rural areas of Akaki istrict, Eastern Shewa, Ethiopia. Topcls J Herbal Med. 2012, 1 (2): 12-
31.
Kazembe T, Makusha C: Evaluation of mosquito repellencies of Capsicum frutescens, Carica papaya and Cyanodondactylon extracts and extract mixtures. Bull Environ Pharmacol Life Sci. 2012, 1: 34-40.
32.
Rawani A, Ghosh A, Laskar S, Chandra G: Aliphatic amide from seeds of carica papaya as mosquito larvicide, pupicide, adulticide, repellent and smoke toxicant. J Mosq Res. 2012, 2: 8-18.
33.
Zewde DK, Jembere B: Evaluation of orange peel citrus sinensis (L) as a source of repellent, toxicant and protectant against Zabrotes subfasciatus (Coleoptera: bruchidae). Momona Ethiopian J Sci. 2010, 2 (1): 61-75.CrossRef
34.
Kweka EJ, Mosh F, Lowassa A, Mahande AM, Kitau J, Matowo J: Ethnobotanical study of some of mosquito repellent plants in north-eastern Tanzania. Mal J. 2008, 7: 152-10.1186/1475-2875-7-152. doi: 10.1186/1475-2875-7-152CrossRef
35.
Onunkun O: Studies on the repellent activities of four common asteraceae in Nigeria against Red flour beetle, tribolium castaneum. Intl J Eng Sci. 2013, 2 (12): 90-93.
36.
Brockman A, Masuzumi B, Augustine S: When all people have the same story, human will Cease to Exist. 1997, Dene Cultural Institute: Protecting and Conserving Traditional Knowledge. A Report for the Biodiversity Conservation Office
37.
Twang S, Kapoor P: Protecting and Promoting Traditional Knowledge: Systems, National Experiences and International Dimensions. United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) United Nations. 2004, New York and Geneva: United Nations
38.
Karunamoorthi K, Sabesan S, Jegajeevanram K, Vijayalakshmi J: The role of traditional anti-malarial plants in the battle against global malaria burden. Vector-Borne Zoon Dis. 2013, 13 (8): 521-544. 10.1089/vbz.2011.0946. Doi: 10.1089/vbz.2011.0946CrossRef
39.
Karunamoorthi K, Tsehaye E: Ethnomedicinal knowledge, belief and self-reported practice of local inhabitants on traditional antimalarial plants and phytotherapy. J Ethnopharmacol. 2012, 141 (1): 143-150. 10.1016/j.jep.2012.02.012. Doi:10.1016/j.jep.2012.02.012CrossRefPubMed
40.
Palsson K, Jaenson TG: Plant products used as mosquito repellents in Guinea Bissau, West Africa. Acta Trop. 1999, 72: 39-52. 10.1016/S0001-706X(98)00083-7.CrossRefPubMed
41.
Klein RE, Weller SC, Zeissig R, Richards FO, Ruebush TKN: Knowledge, beliefs, and practices in relation to malaria transmission and vector control in Guatemala. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 1995, 52: 383-PubMed
42.
Karunamoorthi K, Sabesan S: Insecticide resistance in insect vectors of disease with special reference to mosquitoes: a potential threat to global public health. Health Scope. 2013, 2 (1): 4-18. Doi: 10.5812/jhs.9840CrossRef
43.
Odalo JO, Omolo MO, Malebo H, Angira J, Njeru PM, Ndiege IO, Hassanali A: Repellency of essential oils of some plants from the Kenyan coast against Anopheles gambiae. Acta Trop. 2005, 2005 (3): 210-218.CrossRef
44.
Karunamoorthi K: Plant-based insect repellents: is that a sustainable option to curb the malaria burden in Africa?. J Med Aromatic Plants. 2012, 1: e106-doi: 10.4172/map.1000e106
Metadata
Title
Insect repellent plants traditional usage practices in the Ethiopian malaria epidemic-prone setting: an ethnobotanical survey
Authors
Kaliyaperumal Karunamoorthi
Teklu Hailu
Publication date
01-12-2014
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine / Issue 1/2014
Electronic ISSN: 1746-4269
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1746-4269-10-22

Other articles of this Issue 1/2014

Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 1/2014 Go to the issue

Research

Losing fat, gaining treatments: the use of biomedicine as a cure for folk illnesses in the Andes

Reviewer acknowledgement

Annual acknowledgement of manuscript reviewers

Review

The river and the sea: fieldwork in human ecology and ethnobiology

Research

Ethnoveterinary herbal remedies used by farmers in four north-eastern Swiss cantons (St. Gallen, Thurgau, Appenzell Innerrhoden and Appenzell Ausserrhoden)

Research

An exploration of cultural beliefs and practices across the Southern Ground-Hornbill’s range in Africa

Research

“Shark is the man!”: ethnoknowledge of Brazil’s South Bahia fishermen regarding shark behaviors