Abstracts of the 11th Tanzania Health Summit

BackgroundCholera is an acute diarrheal disease caused by Vibrio cholerae.It is persistent in areas with inadequate access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene.In early January 2024, cholera outbreak was reported in Mwanza.Environmental, social, cultural, and economic factors propagate the spread of infection in communities.Factors that propagate the outbreak have not been studied.The study was conducted to determine factors that were associated with such cholera outbreak. Material and MethodsA matched case-control study was conducted from January to March 2024.Standardized questionnaires were administered to all participants.Controls were matched to the cases in a 2:1 ratio based on sex, neighborhood, and age.The age difference between cases and controls was 5 years.Chi-square was used to test the significance of categorical variables.Conditional logistic regression was used to determine the association between cholera outbreak and risk factors.A P-value <0.05 was statistically significant. ResultsOf the 168 participants, 56 were cases.Eating away from home had 11.95 odds of contracting cholera (Adjusted Odds Ratio {aOR} 11.95, 95% CI: 3.29-43.35).Having contact with a cholera case had 29 times odds of contracting cholera (aOR 29.43,.Use of Lake Victoria water for domestic purposes had 20 odds of contracting cholera (aOR 20.22, 95% CI: 1.32-309.78).Individuals who received health education on diarrheal diseases before the outbreak occurred were protected from contracting cholera (aOR 0.19, 95% CI: 0.05-0.71). Conclusion & RecommendationsThe study found that eating away from home habits, contact with cholera patients, and using Lake Victoria water sources were risk factors for cholera outbreaks.Health education, infection prevention, clean water infrastructure improvements, and food safety practices are critical strategies to control an outbreak.