Local Government Preparedness and Community Knowledge and Practices to Cholera Outbreaks: The Case of Kinondoni Municipal in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania

Abstract

Background: Cholera is an acute diarrhea infection caused by ingestion of food or water contaminated with the bacteria Vibrio-Cholera (WHO, 2000). Cholera is a highly infectious disease and it affects both children and adults. The bacteria affect the transport of water in the small intestine, and secrete cholera toxin (CT) which causes severe fluid loss into the digestive track leading to dehydration and ultimately death if untreated (Vicki Symington).Much has been done by the government of Tanzania in collaboration with other donor agencies to prevent cholera outbreaks, but little is still known about coping strategies during and after cholera outbreaks. It is against this background that the proposed research aimed at assessing Local Government Preparedness and Community knowledge and Practices to cholera outbreaks so that the impacts of future cholera outbreaks are minimized. The aim of this study was to assess local government authority’s preparedness and community knowledge and practices to cholera outbreaks. Methods: This study combined both qualitative and quantitative data collection methodologies. The study was conducted at Kinondoni Municipal where a total of 6 key informants and 402 households were interviewed. The study assessed the local government authority’s preparedness and community knowledge and practices to cholera outbreaks. Quantitative data were entered, cleaned, analyzed and summarized in percentages and numbers per need using SPSS version while the qualitative data was read, arranged by themes and analyzed by using grounded theory approach. The findings were used to answer the study objectives. Results: Overall the Local Government Authorities preparedness and community knowledge and Practices are inadequate. Regarding the Knowledge about cholera preparedness and prevention, the multiple data analysis responses indicated that the most common known causes of Cholera was 152 (38%)‘’Ingesting faces and Vomiting‘’, and ‘Vomiting’’ was 261(65%) the most known symptoms of Cholera. Regarding the Cholera Treatment, ‘’Medicine given by health workers ‘’ was known by all respondents 402 (100%).Practices regarding cholera preparedness and prevention are still inadequate in terms of water treatments, hygienic practices, food safety practices, methods to empty the toilets and sanitations though households found with average knowledge of Cholera. Conclusion: This study confirmed that the Kinondoni Municipal is not well prepared to respond quickly to Cholera outbreaks though it has well skilled staff and households have sufficient knowledge about Cholera and how it can be prevented.