Sanitation and Personal Hygiene: Antidote to Cholera Epidermic Outbreak in Challenging Environment in Nigeria
This study sought to determine the solution to cholera outbreak in the challenging environment in Nigeria. More than 100,000 people die from the disease every year, with the majority of cases in Sub-Saharan Africa.[1] It is estimated that cholera affects 3-5 million people worldwide[1], and causes 100,000-130,000 deaths a year as of 2010.[2] This occurs mainly in the developing world and Nigeria happens to be one of such developing countries.[2] More than 100,000 people die from the disease every year, with the majority of cases in Sub-Saharan Africa.[1] Although cholera may be lifethreatening, prevention of the disease is normally straightforward if proper sanitation practices are followed. Effective sanitation practices, if instituted and adhered to. In- Depth Interview (IDI) guide was developed. This instrument is in four sections which captured the following topics; excreta disposal facilities preference for safe excreta facility and excreta disposal and sanitation challenging. The team paid a visit to, two states namely Sokoto and Kebbi States due to the peculiarity of these environments. In each state, 2 L.G.A were visited in both urban and rural areas which 4 communities were selected based on the socio-economic status of the residents. 10 respondents were interviewed per community being carefully selected among the stakeholders at local level. The study discovered that, the rocky topographical structure, loose soil texture, heavy rainfall and poor drainage which causes flooding and pollution of water surfaces like Rivers and Lake which also, serves as their source of drinking water.The study reveals the correlation between cholera and contaminated drinking water. Further findings, in this study shows that most of the mass hospitalization and disease out break that occurred in recent time, in the area visited; were as a result of poor sanitation, pollution of the environments, water surfaces with excreta, open defecation and flooding of soak away. In conclusi
