Abstract
Background: Cholera is a continuing public health problem, especially in underdeveloped and
developing countries such as Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe has experienced recurring cholera outbreaks
with the last outbreak being reported to have started in September 2018 to March 2019 in the city
of Harare. Assessment of knowledge and practices in the community is essential for the planning
and implementation of preventive measures. This study assessed cholera knowledge and practices
in Glenview and Budiriro high density suburbs of Harare.
Objective: The main aim of this study was to assess knowledge and practices related to
preparedness and prevention of cholera among residents of Glenview and Budiriro suburbs in
Harare, Zimbabwe.
Methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted focusing on residents of Glenview
and Budiriro in Harare. Data collection was carried out by conducting interviews using
questionnaires, where a total of 430 participants (> 18 years) were selected using simple random
sampling. For data analysis and management, EPINFO version 7.3 and SPSS version 27 were
used.
Results: We interviewed 430 study participants, of which 193 (44.9%) were male and 237
(55.1%) were female. Of the 430 participants 86 (20%) knew 15 or more cholera knowledge
characteristics and 78 (18.1%) knew 4 to10 of the cholera knowledge characteristics. The
majority 151 (35.1%) of the participants had a total knowledge scope of 13 to 14. Residents in
Glenview area had a higher score of knowledge characteristics 77 (24.6%). Most of the
participants 418 (97.2%) knew that cholera can spread from one person to the other. In addition,
it was also noted that waste was significantly more likely not to be collected with an odds ratio
(OR) 9.08, 95% CI (5.01 - 16.45) with other participants noting that waste was collected 1 to 2
times a month with an odds ratio of (OR) 3.90, 95% CI (1.08 - 14.05). Looking at the practice
characteristics, the result obtained showed that participants were more likely not to wash hands
after-cleaning babies when they defecate (AOR 0.21, 95% CI 0.09 - 0.52) and were more likely
not to wash hands before cooking, (AOR 0.63, 95% CI 0.42 – 0.93). 70.9% of the residents in
Budiriro do not have running tap water, (AOR 94.17, 95% CI 41.20 - 215.28). The main source
of water in Budirio were boreholes, (AOR 1.52, 95% CI 1.03 – 3.10) and hand dug wells, (AOR
28.87, 95% CI 14.14 - 58.19). The practice characteristics showed lack of running tap water, use
of hand dug wells, many people sharing one indoor flushing toilet whilst using a bucket to flush
and poor waste disposal methods.
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Conclusion: The study findings showed that, there are gaps in both knowledge and practices
regarding cholera prevention and preparedness. Both suburbs are characterised by lack safe
drinking water, lack of enough sanitation facilities, use of hand dug wells as a source of drinking
water accompanied by lack of water treatment methods and open field waste disposal methods.
All these are among the causes of cholera. This shows that there is need for strengthening of
health education in the communities to increase knowledge of cholera and preventative practices.
I would recommend the government to increase the availability of clean safe water, frequent
waste collection, provision of water sterilising chemicals and sanitation systems to the. residents.