Assessment of knowledge, attitude, and practice towards cholera prevention among residents of Gusau during the 2025 outbreak in Zamfara State, Nigeria.
1
Public Health Laboratory Services, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Abuja, Nigeria
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Cholera is an acute diarrhoea disease caused by ingesting water or food contaminated with Vibrio Cholera. In Nigeria it is endemic, with repeated large outbreaks since 1970s, predominantly in the poorer northern states including Zamfara1. During the 2020-2021 epidemic, Zamfara recorded high incidence of over 11,000 cases, an attack with a case fatality rate (CFR)3. Zamfara State experiences repeated cholera outbreaks every year and accounts for over 66% of total cases recorded nationally in 2025, with its capital Gusau, sharing the highest burden of the disease due to dense population, poor environmental sanitation, low health literacy, and inadequate access to clean water. We present the report of our survey in Gusau during 2025 cholera outbreak in Zamfara State4,5.
METHODS:
This cross-sectional study was conducted from July to November 2025 among residents of Gusau. A structured questionnaire was administered to 439 residents randomly selected to collect demographic data alongside responses on knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to cholera prevention, transmission, symptoms, and vaccination. Data were captured and analysed descriptively using SPSS to compute frequencies and percentages.
RESULTS:
Among the survey participants, (59%) were women, young adults aged 18-29 (41%), tertiary educated (61%), and low-income earners under ₦70,000 monthly (65%). Awareness indicated 90% responded cholera as waterborne, 95% saw it as treatable, and 99% urged seeking health facilities. Attitudes were vigilant, 98% viewed it as lethal, 99% owned environmental upkeep. Behaviors held steady with 90% consistent handwashing, 65% regular water treatment (mostly boiling), and 95% daily cleaning. But weaknesses showed just 60% disposed waste properly, 35% had family cases, and only 26% got vaccinated, mainly from lack of info (52%).
CONCLUSIONS:
While knowledge and attitudes stand firm, practice lapses and vaccine hurdles demand action. Boost education, fix infrastructure, and push free vaccinations to cut risks and build tougher communities against cholera.
Cholera is an acute diarrhoea disease caused by ingesting water or food contaminated with Vibrio Cholera. In Nigeria it is endemic, with repeated large outbreaks since 1970s, predominantly in the poorer northern states including Zamfara1. During the 2020-2021 epidemic, Zamfara recorded high incidence of over 11,000 cases, an attack with a case fatality rate (CFR)3. Zamfara State experiences repeated cholera outbreaks every year and accounts for over 66% of total cases recorded nationally in 2025, with its capital Gusau, sharing the highest burden of the disease due to dense population, poor environmental sanitation, low health literacy, and inadequate access to clean water. We present the report of our survey in Gusau during 2025 cholera outbreak in Zamfara State4,5.
METHODS:
This cross-sectional study was conducted from July to November 2025 among residents of Gusau. A structured questionnaire was administered to 439 residents randomly selected to collect demographic data alongside responses on knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to cholera prevention, transmission, symptoms, and vaccination. Data were captured and analysed descriptively using SPSS to compute frequencies and percentages.
RESULTS:
Among the survey participants, (59%) were women, young adults aged 18-29 (41%), tertiary educated (61%), and low-income earners under ₦70,000 monthly (65%). Awareness indicated 90% responded cholera as waterborne, 95% saw it as treatable, and 99% urged seeking health facilities. Attitudes were vigilant, 98% viewed it as lethal, 99% owned environmental upkeep. Behaviors held steady with 90% consistent handwashing, 65% regular water treatment (mostly boiling), and 95% daily cleaning. But weaknesses showed just 60% disposed waste properly, 35% had family cases, and only 26% got vaccinated, mainly from lack of info (52%).
CONCLUSIONS:
While knowledge and attitudes stand firm, practice lapses and vaccine hurdles demand action. Boost education, fix infrastructure, and push free vaccinations to cut risks and build tougher communities against cholera.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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