Conference Abstract | Volume 8, Abstract 11| Published: 16 Jul 2025
Mutiti Geoffrey1,&, Kateule Ernest1, Warren Malambo2, Banda Dabwitso1, Nyambe Sinyange1, Cheepa Habeenzu1, Kadolo Muntanga1
1Zambia Field Epidemiology Training Program, Lusaka, Zambia, 2US CDC, Zambia
&Corresponding author: Mutiti Geoffrey, Zambia Field Epidemiology Training Program, Lusaka, Zambia, Email: gmutigeo@gmail.com
Received: 03 Jun 2024, Accepted: 11 Aug 2024, Published: 16 Jul 2025
This is part of the Proceedings of the Zambia Field Epidemiology Training Program Alumni Conference, September 11 – 13, 2024
Keywords: Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices, Cholera
©Mutiti Geoffrey et al. Journal of Interventional Epidemiology and Public Health (ISSN: 2664-2824). This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution International 4.0 License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Cite this article: Mutiti Geoffrey et al. Exploring knowledge, attitudes, and practices of respondents during the Cholera outbreak in Lusaka, 2024. Journal of Interventional Epidemiology and Public Health. 2025;8 (Conf Proc 4):11. https://doi.org/10.37432/JIEPH-CONFPRO4-00011
Cholera, a highly contagious and potentially fatal infection, can be prevented through effective awareness and practices. However, gaps in the general population’s knowledge, attitudes, and practices often hinder the effectiveness of preventive measures. This study, conducted amidst a cholera outbreak, aimed to investigate these gaps through Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) to understand the factors contributing to the low uptake of preventive and control measures.
A mixed-method study was conducted in the first week of February 2024 amidst a cholera outbreak in the Lusaka District. Utilizing Two-stage sampling, 780 participants aged 18 and above were randomly selected from the 6 sub-districts of Lusaka. We collected data through trained enumerators via Kobo Collect, while qualitative insights were gathered through (FGDs) in 6 sub-districts. Quantitative data was analyzed using R for descriptive, univariate, and multivariable analyses., while qualitative data was examined using Nvivo.
Of 780 respondents, 774 provided data with 78% female representation. The average age was 32 years (IQR: 24-43), and 50% had secondary education. Symptoms and transmission rates varied widely between subdistricts (78%-86%). On health practices, 71% always treated water, 64% washed hands with soap, and 8% sought early care. Significant associations were found for vaccination status (OR = 6.12, p = 0.015), higher knowledge percentages (OR = 31.7, p = 0.017), and transmission percentage (OR = 0.08, p = 0.022), while age (OR = 0.96, p = 0.040) showed a marginally significant effect. No significant differences were observed for education level and employment status.
This study revealed significant gaps in knowledge, attitudes, and practices across different subdistricts. The results emphasize the need for enhanced community awareness and improved access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities. To reduce cholera incidence, it is crucial to address these gaps through targeted public health interventions and policies. Public health stakeholders and government authorities should take proactive steps to promote better practices and control disease transmission.
Menu