Assessment of risk factors related to cholera and coping strategies in Tanzania: rural urban comparisons a case of Korogwe district and Temeke Municipality

The purpose of this study was to investigate risk factors associated with the recurrence of cholera outbreaks in coastal areas of Tanzania with a focus on identifying linkages between respondent's knowledge and strategies used to cope with cholera outbreaks in the rural and urban settings. A total of 124 respondents were interviewed. Both quantitative and qualitative approaches were used through structured interviews, questionnaires as well as observing the environments surrounding the affected area, by using a structured checklist. This study foud that majority of the respondents 76(76%) had high knowledge about cholera disease. However, urban respondents had higher knowledge of cholera 43(86%) than rural respondents 33(66%). Majority of respondents in Korogwe 30(60%) obtain water from river Pangani and 22 (44 percent) of Temeke respondents obtain water from short wells. Both river and short wells are unsafe sources. Only about a half of people 55(55%) in both Korogwe and Temeke drink boiled water. While more than a third 32(32%) of the respondents washed hands in a common container prior to eating; it was found that more than a third 44(44%) of the respondents did not always wash hands after using the toilet, majority being from Korogwe. Major conclusions reached are that; household members in urban areas have sufficient knowledge on cholera, its causes, transmission and effects and prevention mechanism; but they do not use this knowledge into coping strategies. Major cholera risk factors include water shortage, poor knowledge,-poor sanitation and peoples perceptions. Also, poor living conditions and low governntent intervention influences poor coping strategies. The study recommends for upgrading of all urban slums and introduction of public health education in the primary school curriculum.