Community-driven social and behavioral change (CDSBC) model: An Approach to Enhance WASH Practices to Control Cholera Outbreaks in Hotspot Areas. A case of Rukwa Region of Tanzania
1
Mpwapwa Institute of Health and Allied Sciences, Mpwapwa-Dodoma, Tanzania, United Republic of
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A1881
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Cholera is a diarrheal disease caused by ingestion of food or water contaminated with Vibrio cholerae bacteria and can cause death within hours. Improving access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) is a mainstay of cholera prevention. The CDSBC model is an approach designed to utilize community frontrunners to champion good WASH practices in their communities for a period of three months. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the CDSBC model on changing behaviors and practices among communities in cholera hotspot areas in Rukwa region of Tanzania.
METHODS:
The study employed a cross-sectional quantitative design using semi-structured questionnaires and observations to collect primary data from selected villages. Descriptive statistics were used; data were analyzed using IBM SPSS 24 software.
RESULTS:
A total of 127 households, 18 schools, and 11 public places were visited in two districts (Nkasi and Kalambo). 89.8% of households were sensitized on good WASH practices. 51.6% of which had improved latrines post-intervention compared to 28.2% before intervention. Handwashing increased from 2.8% to 32.3% post-intervention. 62.2% treated drinking water compared to 24.5% before intervention. In schools, 33% had handwashing facilities compared to 0% before intervention. 61.1% of which had safe water, while before intervention all lacked it. 77.8% had clean latrines compared to 28.2% before intervention. All schools had clean environment after intervention compared to 67% before. In public places, 63.6% had improved latrines compared to 23.4% before. No new case of cholera was reported during the project period, suggesting effectiveness of CDSBC model in addressing cholera outbreaks.
CONCLUSIONS:
The CDSBC model significantly improves WASH practices among communities, consequently reducing the rate of cholera recurrence. The model demonstrated that good WASH practice is achievable and cholera can be prevented using trained community frontrunners and needs to be scaled up by integrating into national policies.
Cholera is a diarrheal disease caused by ingestion of food or water contaminated with Vibrio cholerae bacteria and can cause death within hours. Improving access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) is a mainstay of cholera prevention. The CDSBC model is an approach designed to utilize community frontrunners to champion good WASH practices in their communities for a period of three months. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the CDSBC model on changing behaviors and practices among communities in cholera hotspot areas in Rukwa region of Tanzania.
METHODS:
The study employed a cross-sectional quantitative design using semi-structured questionnaires and observations to collect primary data from selected villages. Descriptive statistics were used; data were analyzed using IBM SPSS 24 software.
RESULTS:
A total of 127 households, 18 schools, and 11 public places were visited in two districts (Nkasi and Kalambo). 89.8% of households were sensitized on good WASH practices. 51.6% of which had improved latrines post-intervention compared to 28.2% before intervention. Handwashing increased from 2.8% to 32.3% post-intervention. 62.2% treated drinking water compared to 24.5% before intervention. In schools, 33% had handwashing facilities compared to 0% before intervention. 61.1% of which had safe water, while before intervention all lacked it. 77.8% had clean latrines compared to 28.2% before intervention. All schools had clean environment after intervention compared to 67% before. In public places, 63.6% had improved latrines compared to 23.4% before. No new case of cholera was reported during the project period, suggesting effectiveness of CDSBC model in addressing cholera outbreaks.
CONCLUSIONS:
The CDSBC model significantly improves WASH practices among communities, consequently reducing the rate of cholera recurrence. The model demonstrated that good WASH practice is achievable and cholera can be prevented using trained community frontrunners and needs to be scaled up by integrating into national policies.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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