An Assessment into knowledge, attitudes and practices towards cholera and WASH among students and staff in the department of Environmental Science. The case of Bindura University
- Author
- Madzura , Evans
- Title
- An Assessment into knowledge, attitudes and practices towards cholera and WASH among students and staff in the department of Environmental Science. The case of Bindura University
- Abstract
- Cholera is a potentially devastating bacterial disease caused by Vibrio cholerae that is associated with areas where poor hygiene and sanitation are endemic. The disease is transmitted through primary and secondary sources, with the former caused by aquatic environments and the latter through infected subjects. Contaminated water and the consumption of raw or uncooked food are the chief sources of infection. The disease is currently considered as a global health menace particularly in zones with poor access to portable water and in regions with poor health infrastructure and according to WHO, the incidence of the disease lies between 1.3 and 4 million new cases and a range of 21000 to 143000 deaths annually (Alqato, et, al. 2025). In order to curb this havoc, there is need to put efforts to prevent the disease and exercise good WASH practices but this depends on peoples, knowledge, attitudes and practices whose baselines we don’t know. This study seeks to fill that gap. A cross sectional descriptive survey was conducted using a standardized questionnaire. A total of 120 questionnaires were administered on students and staff of the institution. The questionnaire comprised four sections namely, demographic characteristics, knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP). Data were analysed using SPSS to generate frequencies for each KAP question. From the frequencies in percentage, a preferred KAP answer was assigned a score of 1 and a non preferred answer was assigned 0 to come up with an overall score for each of Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices. Multinomial logistic regression was used to relate KAP to socio demographic variables. A total of 120 respondents participated in the study with 54% being male, while 46% being female. The majority (65%) of respondents lied in the 18-25 age group. Results indicate that knowledge about cholera prevention and good WASH practice was quite high at 70%. Attitudes were also moderately high at 66%. However, respondents scored poorly on practice at 37% positive practice. This was mainly due to lack of facilities at the institution that can sustain good cholera prevention and WASH. The study concludes that although knowledge was high and attitudes moderate, respondents exhibited poor practice towards cholera prevention and wash chiefly because of lack of 4 adequate facilities. Therefore it can also be concluded that students and staff at the institution are exposed to conditions that promote the spread of cholera The study recommends that the responsible authorities provide adequate facilities such as enough clean water. It is also recommended that the authorities put in place provisions to ensure the availability of soap or detergents and toilet paper in the toilets for both staff and students to ensure protection against cholera and promote good WASH practices.
- Date
- OCTOBER 2025
- Publisher
- BUSE
- Keywords
- cholera
- knowledge, attitudes and practices
- water
- Supervisor
- Mr. Nyamugure
- Media
-
Madzura - SHEM.pdf