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Indigenous environmental indicators for malaria: A district study in Zimbabwe
Margaret Macherera1, Moses J Chimbari2, Samson Mukaratirwa3
1Department of Environmental Science and Health, Faculty of Applied sciences, National University of Science and Technology, P O Box, AC 939 Ascot, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe; College of Health Sciences 1st Floor Desmond Clarence Building Howard College, Postal Address: University of KZN, Durban 4041, South Africa.
Indigenous knowledge in Zimbabwe identifies environmental signs, like plant changes and insect activity, that correlate with malaria outbreaks. This local wisdom can enhance community-based malaria forecasting systems.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Epidemiology
- Ethnobotany
Background:
- Malaria epidemics pose a significant public health challenge, particularly in regions like Gwanda district, Zimbabwe.
- Existing malaria surveillance often relies on conventional methods, potentially overlooking valuable local ecological insights.
- Indigenous knowledge systems have demonstrated success in community-based early warning systems for other environmental hazards.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and document indigenous environmental indicators associated with malaria occurrence in specific wards of Gwanda district.
- To explore the relationship between local perceptions of environmental factors and malaria incidence.
- To assess the potential for integrating traditional ecological knowledge into malaria surveillance and forecasting.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative data collection through questionnaires, focus group discussions, and Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) sessions with 28 key informants.
- Content analysis was employed for data analysis.
- Study focused on wards 11, 15, and 18 in Gwanda district, Zimbabwe.
Main Results:
- Local communities perceive a positive correlation between malaria incidence and variations in temperature and rainfall.
- Key indigenous indicators for malaria prediction include plant phenology, insect abundance, the "roaring of mountains," and ostrich behavior.
- While climate is a significant factor, other non-climatic elements also influence malaria trends.
Conclusions:
- Indigenous environmental indicators offer valuable insights into malaria occurrence and can complement conventional surveillance.
- Integrating traditional ecological knowledge with climate information can enhance malaria forecasting.
- Developing community-based malaria forecasting systems by incorporating local wisdom is feasible and recommended.
