Assesment Of Knowledge, Attitude And Practice Towards Cholera Prevention And Control
[A CASE STUDY OF ILORIN METROPOLIS KWARA STATE, NIGERIA]

For adults traveling to areas affected by cholera, a vaccine is now available in the United States. The Food and Drug Administration recently approved Vaxchora, a vaccine for the prevention of cholera. It is a liquid dose taken by mouth at least 10 days before travel. A few countries offer oral vaccines as well. Contact your doctor or local office of public health for more information about these vaccines. Keep in mind that no country requires immunization against cholera as a condition for entry. Cholera is a disease spread primarily by poor sanitation. The best way to combat cholera is to improve waste management, water treatment, and food preparation (5). Currently, there are two vaccines for cholera available. One is Dukoral, which is World Health Organization (WHO) prequalified, and the other is ShanChol, which is licensed in India and is awaiting WHO approval (1). The vaccines are both administered orally, two times (six weeks apart). Their effectiveness lasts for about two years (5). The vaccines may take several weeks for their benefits to begin taking shape in a person, so vaccination “should not replace standard prevention and control measures” (1).
2.10 KNOWLEDGE ON CHOLERA PREVENTION AND CONTROL
Study conducted by Ogbeyi et-al in Makurdi, Benue State sundertaken with 80 respondents found that the people’s understanding of cholera showed that only 27% of the respondents could correctly recognize cholera. Majority stated that eating unprotected or rotten food (89%) and drinking unsafe water (77%) were the main causes of cholera. About 89% of the respondents were aware of ORS. Regarding facilities where a patient can be treated, most (97%) mentioned treatment centers, followed by home (48%). Regarding the preventive measures of cholera, food safety, maintaining good-hygienic practices, use of safe water for drinking and household purposes, and health Education activities were mentioned by 85%, 83%, 73%, and 5% of the respondents respectively. According to knowledge scoring, less than half of the respondents had good knowledge, and about 57% had poor knowledge of cholera [15].
2.11 ATTITUDE TOWARDS CHOLERA PREVENTION AND CONTROL
Study conducted by Ogbeyi et-al in Makurdi, Benue undertaken with 80 respondents found that most of the respondents showed a positive attitude toward cholera. Majority of the respondents agreed on such parameters as washing both hands with soap after defecation, defecating in an open place could lead to disease, washing hands before taking food, cholera is a severe health problem which may cause death, and cholera is very serious for adults and children. The attitude scale showed that 96.7% of the study participants had a highly positive attitude toward cholera [15].
2.12 PRACTICES ON CHOLERA PREVENTION AND CONTROL
Study conducted by Ogbeyi et-al in Makurdi, Benue undertaken with 80 respondents found that about 85% of the respondents practiced food safety by having fresh food and avoiding rotten food and maintained good hygiene (89.2%) to prevent cholera in the households. Two thirds of the respondents used safe water for drinking and household purposes. Six percent attended both health education session, and maintained proper sanitation practices. Overall, 65% followed good practices to prevent cholera. [15]