Abstract
Introductioncholera is a significant public health concern among displaced populations. Oral cholera vaccines are safe and can effectively be used as an adjunct to prevent cholera in settings with limited access to water and sanitation. Results from this study can inform future consideration for cholera vaccination at Kakuma and Kalobeyei.Methodsa descriptive cross-sectional study of cholera cases at Kakuma refugee camp and Kalobeyei integrated settlement was carried out between May 2017 to May 2018 (one year). Data were extracted from the medical records and line lists at the cholera treatment centres.Resultsthe results found 125 clinically suspected and confirmed cholera cases and one related death (CFR 0.8%). The cumulative incidence of all cases was 0.67 (95% CI=0.56-0.80) cases/1000 persons. Incidence of cholera was higher in children under the age of five 0.94(95% CI=0.63-1.36) cases/1000 persons. Children aged <5 years showed 51% increased risk of cholera compared to those aged ≥5 years (RR=1.51; 95% CI=1.00-2.31, p=0.051). Individuals from the Democratic Republic of Congo had nearly 9-fold risk of reporting cholera (RR=8.62; 95% CI=2.55-37.11, p<0.001) while individuals from South Sudan reported 7 times risk of cholera case compared to those from Somalia (RR=7.39; 95% CI=2.78-27.73, p<0.001).Conclusionin addition to the improvement of water, sanitation and hygiene (WaSH), vaccination could be implemented as a short-medium term measure of preventing cholera outbreaks. Age, country of origin and settlement independently predicted the risk of cholera
Highlights
Kenya is home to Kakuma, Kalobeyei and Daadab refugee camps
Country of origin and settlement independently predicted the risk of cholera
Social-demographic characteristics of cholera cases: we identified 125 clinically suspected cases of cholera of whom 107 were refugees and 18 non-refugees (Kenyans)
Summary
Kenya is home to Kakuma, Kalobeyei and Daadab refugee camps. Kakuma and Kalobeyei are located in Turkana County, north-western Kenya [1]. Turkana County is located in the arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs) of Kenya which experiences droughts almost every five years [2]. The camps hosts individuals from Sudan, Somalia, Burundi, Somalia, Ethiopia, The Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, Eritrea and Uganda [3]. Turkana County is the poorest county in Kenya with 79 in every 100 of its population living in poverty. There is a close interaction between refugees and Kenyans living in Turkana County; locals often trade and live among the refugees and frequently seek medical care from the camp hospitals [4]
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