Socio-cultural factors behind the persist ace of cholera out breaks in igogo, Mwanza region
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Date
2020
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
University of Dar es Salaam
Abstract
Socio-cultural factors behind the persist ace of cholera out breaks in igogo, Mwanza region
Freddy Venance Mwamotto
Master of Public Health, University of Dar es Salaam, college of social science, 2020
This study examined social cultural factors contributing to the high prevalence of cholera
in Igogo Ward, Mwanza region. Specifically, the study examined the socio-cultural
practices that contributed to the persistence of cholera outbreaks in Igogo ward;
examined the community’s attitude towards the prevention and control of cholera in
Igogo ward; and examined the interventions stakeholders have undertaken to prevent and
control cholera outbreaks in the ward. The study used case study design which employed
both quantitative and qualitative methodology to collect data in Igodo ward. Data were
therefore collected using questionnaires and Key informant interviews (KIIS).
Questionnaire data collected from a sample of 100 respondents were processed and
presented in form of tables and figures for descriptive statistics and preceded by detailed
discussions. On the other hand, qualitative data were collected from key informants
through Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) and subjected to thematic content analysis. The
study found that cholera cases were high in households whose heads had primary
education and lower formal education. In fact, 65 percent of the respondents were not
aware of cholera disease, believing that the outbreak was a reprimand from God.
Findings also show that many of the respondents were not aware of the contributory
factors. More than 50 percent of the respondents affirmed that they do not wash hands
before eating which increases the risks for cholera outbreak and spread. On community
members’ attitudes towards the prevention and control of cholera, findings revealed that
24 percent of the respondents gave cholera patients traditional remedies rather than take
them to hospital and three percent only prayed for the patients. With regard to who is
responsible for controlling and preventing cholera, 60 percent of respondents believed
that only the government has that role. It was further established that interventions by
stakeholders in controlling and preventing cholera in the study have largely been
ineffective. Moreover, due to unreliable tap water supply by the Mwanza Urban Water
Supply and Sewerage Authority (MWAUWASA), the majority of the responding
residents opted to use untreated water from Lake Victoria, thus escalating cholera
incidents. Furthermore, the study found that inadequate numbers of health personnel, the
language barrier, and ineffective use of mass media in public education provision were
some of the challenges to controlling and preventing cholera persistence in the study
area. The study concludes that the prevalence of cholera epidemic in Igogo ward is
highly attributed to a lack of awareness which limits the people to take preventive
measures. Based on the findings, the study recommends that a multi-sectoral intervention
strategy involving collaborative efforts between the government and other stakeholders
in providing resources and public health education to people to increase awareness of
cholera disease is essential. Moreover, there is a need for more broad-based research on
whether economic and political factors contribute to cholera prevalence in Igogo
ward.
Description
Available in print form, East Africana Collection, Dr.Wilbert Chagula Library, class mark (THS EAF RA644.C3T34M825 )
Keywords
Cholera,, Homeopathic treatment,, Igogo ward,, Mwanza region,
Citation
Mwamotto F,V (2020)Socio-cultural factors behind the persist ace of cholera out breaks in igogo, Mwanza region,Masters dissertation,University of Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam.