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Use of Insect Growth Regulators: A Sustainable Approach to Mosquito Control in Nigeria – A Review

Okugbo, Osarhieme Tinuade and, Sahabi, Kamaludeen

Abstract

Mosquito-borne diseases remain a significant public health concern in Nigeria, with malaria alone contributing to high morbidity and mortality rates. Traditional vector control methods, which are primarily reliant on chemical insecticides, are encountering increasing challenges due to insecticide resistance, climate change, and non-target toxicity. This review critically explores the potential of insect growth regulators (IGRs), including synthetic compounds, as sustainable alternatives for mosquito control in Nigeria. IGRs interfere with insect hormonal processes, offering high species specificity and low toxicity to mammals, thus providing an eco-friendly and targeted vector control strategy. Laboratory and field studies support the effectiveness of IGRs, particularly in targeting mosquito larval stages across varied breeding habitats. However, challenges such as high costs, limited community awareness, and inadequate policy frameworks hinder widespread adoption. The adoption of IGRs aligns with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), by promoting environmentally sound and locally adaptable solutions for vector control. This review highlights the mosquito burden in Nigeria, evaluates the limitations of conventional insecticides, and emphasizes the need for updated regulatory frameworks and public health education to facilitate the use of insect growth regulators (IGRs).

Keywords

Insect Growth RegulatorsMosquitoesNigeriaPublic HealthSDGs.

References

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