"Epidemiological Assessment of Cholera outbreak and Public Knowledge: Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Awareness Levels" in Daim Al-Masheikha, South Gezira, Sudan 2024

Abstract

Cholera remains a significant public health concern in many regions, necessitating a deeper understanding of awareness, prevalence, and preventive behaviors. This study examines cholera-related knowledge, healthcare-seeking behavior, and environmental risk factors among a surveyed population using a cluster sampling methodology in Deim Al-Masheikha. A total of 402 interviews were conducted across 10 geographical clusters, with 20 randomly selected households per cluster using face-to-face interviews; data were collected in October 2024.

Findings indicate high awareness of cholera transmission (94.8%), yet low participation in awareness programs (9.7%), suggesting gaps in public health outreach. Cholera prevalence remains a concern, with 15.7% of individuals reporting recent watery diarrhea cases and 35.8% of households experiencing at least one case. While 49.3% of affected individuals sought hospital treatment, 11% did not seek medical assistance, indicating possible barriers to healthcare access. Preventive behaviors varied, with 57.7% practicing hand hygiene, but only 3.7% adhering to proper food handling guidelines and 1.0% receiving cholera vaccination. Additionally, 34.3% of households keep livestock, and 84.8% rely on untreated river water, increasing the risk of waterborne disease transmission. These findings highlight the urgent need for targeted public health interventions, including community-based awareness campaigns, improved access to healthcare and clean water, and the promotion of cholera vaccination to reduce transmission and enhance health outcomes.