Natural Plant-Based Mosquito Repellent Products: A Potential Complementary Tool for Malaria Vector Control Intervention and Elimination in Zimbabwe

Malaria claims millions of lives globally and it is an important public health threat in Zimbabwe where more than half of the population is at risk of contracting it annually. This paper reviews published data on the evaluation of natural plant-based mosquito repellent products for malaria vector control intervention in Zimbabwe and proposes enhanced assessments of several plants with mosquito-repellent properties given the necessity of new products to prevent malaria in the country. Chemical-based vector control intervention is an important strategy to reduce malaria morbidity in moderate to high transmission settings in Zimbabwe.