Knowledge of, attitudes toward, and preventive practices relating to cholera and oral cholera vaccine among urban high-risk groups: findings of a cross-sectional study in Dhaka, Bangladesh

Abstract

BackgroundIn endemic countries such as Bangladesh, consequences of cholera place an enormous financial and social burden on patients and their families. Cholera vaccines not only provide health benefits to susceptible populations but also have effects on the earning capabilities and financial stability of the family. Community-based research and evaluations are necessary to understand perceptions about and practices of the community relating to cholera and oral cholera vaccines. This may help identify the ways in which such vaccines may be successfully introduced, and other preventive measures can be implemented. The present study assessed the knowledge of, attitudes toward, and preventive practices relating to cholera and oral cholera vaccine among an urban population residing in a high cholera-prone setting in Dhaka, Bangladesh.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted in an area of high cholera prevalence in 15 randomly-selected clusters in Mirpur, Dhaka city. A study team collected data through a survey and in-depth interviews during December 2010–February 2011.ResultsOf 2,830 families included in the final analysis, 23% could recognize cholera as acute watery diarrhea and 16% had ever heard of oral cholera vaccine. About 54% of the respondents had poor knowledge about cholera-related issues while 97% had a positive attitude toward cholera and oral cholera vaccine. One-third showed poor practice relating to the prevention of cholera.The findings showed a significant (p < 0.05) association between the respondents’ knowledge and sex, education, occupation, monthly overall household expenditure, attitudes and practice. In the adjusted model, male sex, having a lower monthly overall household expenditure, and having a less positive attitude toward cholera were the significant predictors to having poor knowledge.ConclusionsThe findings suggest the strengthening of health education activities to improve knowledge on cholera, its prevention and treatment and information on cholera vaccination among high-risk populations. The data also underscore the potential of mass cholera vaccination to prevent and control cholera.

Use of Oral Cholera Vaccine and Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Safe Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in a Long-Standing Refugee Camp, Thailand, 2012-2014

“…The high anticipated acceptability (97%) and OCV campaign coverage (first dose: 91%; second dose: 85%) observed were similar to evaluations from other OCV campaigns [12, 14, 16, 18, 24, 29–33], but higher than previously published coverage estimates from the Maela OCV campaign based on a vaccination registry (first dose: 83%; second dose: 61%) [19]. Although assessing vaccination history from recall may introduce bias [34], we observed similarly high coverage (first dose: 93%; second dose: 84%) among those retaining vaccination cards distributed before the campaign.…”

“…Several other cross-sectional evaluations conducted at single time points in endemic and epidemic cholera settings have similarly documented varying WaSH KAPs [24–26]. The improvements we observed at first follow-up survey after the OCV campaign were similar to that of a KAP evaluation in Haiti conducted before and 3 months after an OCV campaign in 2012, the only other pre- and post-campaign KAP evaluation [27].…”

Health Literacy among Women with Different Educational States in Baghdad

“…This fact was studied in Ghana revealed that mothers' duration of school education is strongly associated with health literacy 8 . The findings of another study done in Bangladesh showed that a low level of education on cholera among risky groups calls for supporting health education activities to increase their knowledge on cholera 9 , another study done on the old people in China revealed that candidates who finished high school or higher had 6, 4, and 3 times bigger odds of possessing adequate health literacy than those who . Unexpectedly, in the present study, the uneducated group was more alert to the fact that antibiotics are of no value in the treatment of common cold and influenza.…”

Introducing cholera vaccination in Asia, Africa and Haiti: A meeting report

“…Dipika Sur (7)(8)(9)(10) Firdausi Qadri (11)(12) Binod Sah (13 For the OCV stockpile the ICG considers three potential scenarios for the deployment of vaccine: outbreaks, humanitarian emergencies, and high risk settings. As with the process for accessing meningococcal meningitis and YF vaccines, the process for accessing the OCV stockpile will involve submission and circulation of a request to the ICG Secretariat, followed within 48 h by the ICG decision.…”