Abstract
Yemen has experienced one of the world's worst cholera outbreaks in the recent history of cholera records. This study aims to identify knowledge and practices among people of Al-Mahweet governorate toward cholera infection, which can play a critical role in reducing cholera morbidity and shaping the public health response. A cross-sectional study was conducted in an area of high cholera prevalence in 2018 using structured questionnaires. Most community respondents were able to correctly identify the symptoms and risk factors of cholera. While 65% of the respondents in this study knew that proper disposal of human waste is an essential measure of cholera prevention, only 11% of the respondents knew that proper washing of fruits and vegetables lowers the risk of cholera infection. About 62.5% of households did not treat water for safe drinking. Water was scarce in about 30% of households and near-home defecation was observed in about 23%. In conclusion, this study reveals several gaps in different aspects of hygienic and preventive practices including water treatment, waste disposal, and defecation practices. Cholera response should contain comprehensive health promotion interventions to improve the public's knowledge and enhance healthy practices. Stakeholders should support communities with sustainable water and sanitation systems.
Highlights
Life-threatening diarrheal infection caused by a bacterium called Vibrio cholerae, a highly diverse species divided into more than 200 serogroups (Momba & Azab El-Liethy 2019)
Few cases of cholera infections develop mild to moderate symptoms present as mild acute watery diarrhea (AWD) that can be managed with oral rehydration solutions (ORS)
Cholera is currently prevalent in Africa, Asia, and parts of the Middle East, where Yemen reported recently the most cholera cases in a single country (World Health Organization 2018)
Summary
Life-threatening diarrheal infection caused by a bacterium called Vibrio cholerae, a highly diverse species divided into more than 200 serogroups (Momba & Azab El-Liethy 2019). Few cases of cholera infections develop mild to moderate symptoms present as mild acute watery diarrhea (AWD) that can be managed with oral rehydration solutions (ORS). Almost 20% of symptomatic cases are severe with abrupt onset of profuse watery diarrhea and dehydration that, if untreated, can lead to death (World Health Organization 2016). Cholera continues to be a significant threat to global public health with an estimated 2.86 million cases and 95,000 associated deaths occurring annually, of which, only a fraction is reported due to inadequate surveillance systems and inconsistencies in case definitions as well as economic, political, and social disincentives (Ali et al 2015). Cholera is currently prevalent in Africa, Asia, and parts of the Middle East, where Yemen reported recently the most cholera cases in a single country (World Health Organization 2018)
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