Examining health literacy on cholera in an endemic community in Accra, Ghana: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background The periodic and seasonal outbreaks of cholera in Ghana make the disease a vital health concern. The country is cholera endemic with several communities within cholera hotspots. This study, therefore, assesses health literacy on cholera and the association between health literacy competency and health outcome. Methods The study adopted a health literacy framework that theorized the pathways between health literacy and health outcomes controlling for confounding factors. A survey questionnaire was administered to a representative sample of 401 individual household heads in James Town, Accra, Ghana. Reliability analysis was undertaken to ascertain the internal consistency of the instrument. Bivariate methods of analyses used were chi-square tests, ANOVA, Mann–Whitney U test, and Kruskal–Wallis test. Binary logistic regression models were run to examine the relative effects of health literacy competency on health outcome (having not had cholera). Results There are substantial knowledge gaps about environmental risk factors for cholera like the presence of the cholera germ in coastal water, as well as the likelihood of contracting cholera due to overcrowded spaces. However, better knowledge on cholera risk factors was found to be associated with better health literacy competency (food safety and personal hygiene practices). An increase in health literacy competency score was associated with lower likelihood of having had cholera, after controlling for intermediate factors. Conclusion Furthering health literacy on cholera environmental risk factors as well as a deliberate and targeted effort in encouraging consistency in the translation of disease knowledge into healthier practices may improve the well-being of the people.

knowledge, attitude, and practice study regarding cholera among the people in Jazan city, kSA

“…Cholera infections are commonly severe, and highly virulent. [ 3 ] Additionally, cholera outbreaks usually occur in areas which have contaminated water or food because of poor sanitary measures. [ 4 ] The bacteria is transmitted along the gastrointestinal tract through contaminated food or water.…”

Public Health Implications of Cholera- a Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Related Infectious Disease in the Era of Climate Change: The Nigeria Experience

“…While the disparity between persons educated up to tertiary level and those having only secondary education may be explained by reason of the fact that functional health literacy, knowledge of risk factors and preventive health behaviours are in direct proportionality with educational attainment. This however does not explain the disparity observed between persons with secondary education and those with lower academic attainment, [39,40,41]. The explanation may be found in the contention that mere possession of knowledge about food safety and risky behaviors do not always translate to safety practices during food preparation.…”

Evaluation of factors that influence Reoccurrence of Cholera epidemics in Bwera Hospital, Kasese District

“…Inclusion criteria Heads of departments and other health workers who have worked at Bwera general hospital for at least two years and heads of households both male and females who live within the vicinity of the hospital and are 18 years and above. The household members who have stayed at Bwera hospital for at least 3 years and have witnessed the outbreak of cholera [10][11][12][13][14][15].…”