Cholera and household water treatment why communities do not treat water after a cholera outbreak: a case study in Limpopo Province

Lutendo S Mudau,Murembiwa S Mukhola,Paul R Hunter

doi:10.4102/sajid.v32i1.60

Lutendo S Mudau, Murembiwa S Mukhola + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.4102/sajid.v32i1.60

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Abstract

Background: Cholera is one of the common diseases in developing countries caused by consumption of contaminated and untreated drinking water. A study was conducted 7 months after a cholera outbreak in Vhembe district, Limpopo, South Africa. The aim of the study was to assess if the communities were still conforming to safe water practices after an outbreak of cholera.Methodology: One hundred and fifty-two (152) participants from 11 villages were recruited to form 21 focus groups, with a mean of 7. The interview transcripts were coded and arranged based on the study themes.Results: Of the 21 groups in 11 villages, three villages were using water from boreholes, six were using river water and three were using mixed sources which included river, canal and spring water, three depended on municipal tanks and only six were using tap water. Only 19% of the respondents treated their water, even though the majority of communities reported treatment of water as a priority. Four villages claimed they never received environmental health education at all, while most of the villages confirmed they received education during a cholera outbreak.Conclusion: Regardless of the outbreak and health education efforts done, communities continued using unprotected water sources without any form of treatment, as they perceived it to be unimportant. Sustainable water supplies and environmental health education should be continued after an outbreak as it is important for public health gains.

Highlights

Cholera is probably the most feared cause of acute diarrhoea due to its high mortality, especially in children under the age of five.[1]
Sustainable water supplies and environmental health education should be continued after an outbreak as it is important for public health gains
Human movement caused the cholera outbreak to spread from Zimbabwe to South Africa (SA), with contributing factors including the use of contaminated drinking water and a lack of sanitation infrastructure.[5,6]

Summary

Introduction

Cholera is probably the most feared cause of acute diarrhoea due to its high mortality, especially in children under the age of five.[1]. Sub-Saharan countries have been affected by the disease on frequent occasions in recent decades,[2] and approximately 93% to 98% of total cholera cases were reported from Africa.[3] Communities in Limpopo province, Vhembe district municipality, experienced a cholera outbreak from November 2008 to April 2009; and, a total of 720 cases were confirmed.[4] Farmworkers residing adjacent to rivers had no toilets and drinking water infrastructure. They practiced open defaecation and drank water from the river. Sustainable water supplies and environmental health education should be continued after an outbreak as it is important for public health gains

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