European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

COMPARATIVE ASSESSMENT OF WATER AND SANITATION PRACTICES IN CHOLERA AFFECTED AND NON-CHOLERA AFFECTED COMMUNITIES IN 2011 OUTBREAK IN IBADAN, NIGERIA

Philomena Omoregie*, Oladimeji Oladepo and Ademola Adelekan

ABSTRACT

The cholera outbreak in Oyo State in year 2011 provided a unique opportunity to understand the factors determining cholera occurrences and how to mitigate it. This study explored the practices related to water hygiene and sanitation among Household Heads (HHs) in Cholera Affected Communities (CAC) and Non-Cholera Affected Communities (NCAC) in Ibadan, Nigeria. A three-stage sampling technique was used to select 400 Household Heads (HHs) each in CAC and NCAC and interviewed using semi-structured questionnaire. Observational checklist was used to assess the surroundings of households and the sanitary conditions of wells and toilets where available. Six Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) were also conducted. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square test while qualitative data were subjected to thematic approach. Respondents’ mean ages were 48.5±11.8 and 47.0±11.5 years in CAC and NCAC respectively. Reported sources of drinking water were sachet water in NCAC (35.3%) compared with well water in CAC (29.3%). In CAC, 27.0% of members of HHs were affected with cholera as against none in NCAC in the 2011 cholera outbreak. Most (79.0%) of the respondents in CAC had a poor knowledge of cholera compared with 53.3% in NCAC. Majority (70.2%) of the respondents in NCAC observed satisfactory water hygiene and sanitation practices compared with only 29.8% in CAC. Observations showed that faecal waste was indiscriminately disposed around the premises in CAC (10.0%) compared with (1.0%) in NCAC. All FGD participants in the CAC identified lack of good drinking water as a major cause of 2011 cholera outbreak in their communities. Knowledge of cholera, water hygiene and sanitation practices and sanitary facilities were poorer in the cholera affected communities compared with non-cholera affected communities. Household heads should be involved in community based health education programme to reduce future cholera vulnerability.

Keywords: Water hygiene, Sanitation, Cholera related practices, Cholera affected Communities, Non-Cholera affected communities.