Factors Contributing To The 2014 High Cases Of Cholera In The La Dade-Kotopon Municipality, Accra

ABSTRACT

Background: The study determined the factors that contributed to the recent high cases of cholera in the La Dade-Kotopon Municipality. It is established that all regions in Ghana has reported cases when the outbreak started in April, 2014. The Greater Accra Region recorded the highest number of cases of which LA Dade-kotopon Municipality contributed to most of the cases recorded.

Objective: The study assessed factors (such as level of knowledge, hygiene practices

and socio-economic factors) of community members contributing to the 2014 high cases of cholera in La Dade- Kotopon Municipality.

Method: A cross sectional descriptive study was employed using a quantitative tool. Simple random sampling method was used in selecting 403 participants within the La Community in the Municipality who were administered questionnaires. The data elicited was analysed with Excel 2013 and Stata/SE version12 and summarized into charts, and frequency tables. Chi square was used to test the associations between the variables and odds ratio for the strength of associations.

Result: A majority (98.0%) of the respondents think that the cause of cholera is a germ whilst 0.8% think it is a curse and 1.0% indicated that they did not know what the cause of cholera was. 92.0% of respondents said that frequent hand washing could prevent cholera, however a few of the respondents (0.8%) indicated indiscriminate dumping of refuse and eating with dirty hands could prevent cholera. More than three quarters of the respondents (78.3%) said they washed their hands whenever their hands were dirty but only 2.3% of respondents washed their hands after defecation. The findings revealed most respondents’ monthly earnings were between GHC 500.00 and below. The associations between the level of knowledge, hygiene practices and socioeconomic

factors with cholera were not statistically significant (p≥0.05). The level of knowledge of respondent and cholera infection indicated the following chi and p-values (cause x²1.5, p>0.812, symptom x² 0.5, p >0.924, transmission x² 0.1 p>0.730, treatment x² 2.3, p>0.726 and prevention x² 3.9, p>0.346). Thus regardless of respondent’s knowledge on cholera they are at risk of cholera. As well as the chi and p-values for hygiene practices and socioeconomic factors of respondents were also p≥0.05. The results revealed that those who have never had education before have a lower odd ratio (0.73) of getting cholera. Also those with SSS/SHS have a higher odds ratio (1.26) of getting cholera. Similarly, those with no employment have a higher odds ratio (1.25) of getting infected with cholera. Likewise, respondents who earn incomes below GHC 2, 000 have a higher odds ratio of being infected with cholera. Thus regardless of respondents’ socioeconomic status, they were predisposed to cholera. There was therefore no need for adjusted odds ratios due to it not being significance statistically.

Conclusion: The study found that, there was no relationship between level of knowledge of respondents on cholera, hygiene practices and socioeconomic factors of respondents and cholera.

Recommendation: There is the need for a multi-sectorial approach, the Ministry of Health and Ghana Health Service needs to intensify health education cholera prevention. The Metropolitans, Municipals, Departments and Agencies should get involved as the major stakeholders in cholera prevention. Also the community, opinion leads, chiefs and queen mothers should actively participate in cholera prevention. The ministry of local finance should give a priority environmental and sanitation issues in the allocation of the national funds.