KNOWLEDGE, PERCEPTIONS AND PRACTICES ON CHOLERA TRANSMISSION AND PREVENTION MEASURES AMONG HEADS OF HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS IN KIGAMBONI MUNICIPALITY, DAR ES SALAAM, TANZANIA

Abstract

Background: The Kigamboni Municipality has been experiencing recurrences of Cholera outbreaks. Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate knowledge, attitude and practices associated with Cholera transmission and prevention measures. Method: A cross section descriptive study was adopted. A multistage sampling was used to select 410 respondents. An Interview schedule was used to obtain respondents opinions. Statistical Package for Social Sciences software version 20.0 was used to generate descriptive statistics which were further summarized into contingency tables. Results: Results indicate that the most study population (70.2%) had knowledge on causes, symptoms and the modes of transmission of Cholera. It was also found out that communities treat drinking water to make it safe (76.8%) and are regular in hand washing with soap (80.9%). The result also indicates that the community is willing to vaccination (90%) and to adopting the Cholera prevention measures (92.7%).  Conclusions and recommendations: The supply of pure water and adequate sanitation may serve as the prevention measures against the Cholera outbreak recurrences at Kigamboni Municipality.