Knowledge,attitude and practice of cholera outbreaks in nchelenge district.

Abstract

In Zambia, cholera is one of the major health problems country wide. During rainy season, at least, one part of the country will notify the outbreak of cholera. The purpose of this study was to determine Knowledge, attitude and practice of Nchelenge community towards recurrences of cholera. The study hypothesis stated that the lower the knowledge on transmission and prevention of cholera the poorer the practice. Negative attitude towards cholera leads to poor practice towards prevention of cholera. A descriptive cross sectional study design was used. Data were collected from the first week through to the fourth week of September, 2009 on 50 adult respondents in using a structured interview schedule from Kabuta and Kashikishi catchment areas. The findings of the study showed that 60% of the study respondents had poor knowledge, they did not know how far their toilets were from the source of water, and 82% of the respondents with primary education had low level of knowledge of cholera causes. 82.2% female respondents had low level of knowledge of cholera prevention. 70% of the respondents had good attitude towards prevention of cholera. The majority, 92.6% of the respondents had poor practice of hand washing after using the toilet. 77.8% of the study respondents who stayed in high density area had poor practice, they did not treat water for drinking and also 72.7% of people who were crowded in one house disposed off refuse carelessly which is a poor practice. The majority of respondents 56% drew water from contaminated lake and shallow wells a bad practice, many people do not access safe and clean piped water because they are not staying in authorized settlement. The major implications of the study were, toilets build near the source of water contaminated water tables and people were drawing contaminated water from boreholes, the local authority should legalize settlement so that many residents access piped safe and clean drinking water. The practices of not washing hands after using the toilet lead to contamination of food and utensil causing auto infection with vibrio cholera.