Does a direct cholera threat necessarily improve the knowledge, attitude and practices on the disease?

OBJECTIVE

To assess and compare the knowledge, attitude, practices and beliefs on cholera in Mudzi and Wedza districts. Mudzi district shares a long border with Mozambique where cholera was already prevalent before the study, while Wedza district does not share any international border.

DESIGN

Cross sectional community based survey, Data was collected through interviews using a structured questionnaire. In villages, The source of water for domestic use as well as the toilets of the interviewed individuals were also inspected.

SETTING

Two districts of Mashonaland East Province in Zimbabwe.

SUBJECTS

Grade seven pupils, form four students and villagers.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

a. The level of knowledge on cholera. b. The prevalence of negative beliefs on the disease. c. The proportion of households using unsafe water. d. The proportion of households not using toilets.

RESULTS

140 and 116 individuals were interviewed in Mudzi and Wedza respectively. The level of knowledge on cholera was very poor in both districts and poorer in Mudzi which shares a border with Mozambique. Twenty pc of the people interviewed had negative beliefs towards the disease; 35pc were using unsafe water; 20pc of households did not have toilets and 4.5 to 7.7pc of the available toilets were not being used.

CONCLUSION

Health education activities on cholera should target all districts with the same intensity. Specific strategies should be found in order to address the misconceptions which may hinder the control of cholera.