Establishing The Socio Economic Factors That Contribute To Cholera Outbreaks In Turkana South District, Kenya.

Abstract

Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal illness caused by infection of the intestine by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. One gets it by drinking un-boiled water or eating food contaminated with cholera bacteria. It is treated by use of antibiotics and immediate replacement of fluids lost through diarrhoea. The study is a Cross-Sectional descriptive study aimed at establishing the socio economic factors that contribute to cholera outbreaks in Turkana South District. The sample size is 384 subjects. Study participants are adults in various households and an identified key informant in the district. Study tools to be used will include Questionnaires for quantitative data and these will comprise of open and closed ended questions. These questionnaires will be self administered for the literate people and the research assistants will assist those who can not read. To collect qualitative data, an interview guide will be used for a key informant in the TSD hospital. The Principal researcher will recruit 10 research assistants who will include residents of the TSD who have attained at least form four education. The reason for recruiting assistants from the area is to facilitate communication and translation of information. The data collection tools will be pre tested with 20 of the subjects in Lokichar location which is close to the D.O's office. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) shall be used for data analysis and tables, pie charts and graphs shall be used in data presentation. Dissemination of data shall be done by sending reports to the D.O., policy makers and the hospital superintendent. Abstracts will be given through conferences. The study will take about nine months beginning January to September 2010 at an estimated cost of Kshs.240, 588.