An Evaluation of Community-Led Hygiene Campaigns on Cholera Prevention Outcomes in Barwaqo Ward, Wajir East Sub-County, Wajir County, Kenya

The study aimed at assessing the influence of community-led hygiene campaigns on cholera prevention outcomes in Barwaqo Ward, Wajir East Sub-County, Wajir County, Kenya. Wajir County experiences high cholera rates due to inadequate access to clean water and sanitation services. This study evaluates the influence of community mobilization, hygiene education, water treatment and storage, sanitation infrastructure, and the involvement of community health volunteers and local leaders on cholera prevention outcomes. The research is guided by the Health Belief Model, Social Ecological Model, and Participatory Development Theory. A mixed methods approach with a cross-sectional design is employed, combining household surveys, direct observations, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions to provide statistical and contextual data. The reviewed literature highlights successes of community-based WASH projects globally and locally. The findings aim to guide public health policies in the ASAL regions of Kenya and offer valuable insights for policymakers, NGOs, and health professionals to strengthen community-led cholera prevention efforts. The study Concluded that community mobilization is the foundation block of effective prevention of cholera, positive health behavior formation and approaches to sustaining positive behaviors occur through local leadership and participatory structures the study arrives at the conclusion that design and implementation need to be considerate of the environmental peculiarities of arid and semi-arid areas. The study recommended that Wajir County Government should formalize and fund routine community barazas, organized health-promotional platforms in the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) systems in the county regular logistical and financial support to Community Health Volunteers (CHVs)

Evaluation. Community-Led Hygiene, Campaigns, Cholera Prevention Outcomes

1. Agyepong, I. A., Sewankambo, N., Binagwaho, A., Coll-Seck, A. M., Corrah, T., Ezeh, A., Fekadu, A., Kilonzo, N., Lamptey, P., Masiye, F., Mayosi, B., Mboup, S., Muyembe, J., Pate, M., Sidibe, M., Simons, B., Tlou, S., Gheorghe, A., Legido-Quigley, H., … Piot, P. (2017). The path to longer and healthier lives for all Africans by 2030: The Lancet Commission on the future of health in sub-Saharan Africa. The Lancet, 390(10114), 2803-2859. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(17)31509-x [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

2. Alamer, A. S. (2024). Behavior change theories and models within health belief model research: A five-decade holistic bibliometric analysis. Cureus. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.63143 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

3. Aseyo, R. E., Mumma, J., Scott, K., Nelima, D., Davis, E., Baker, K. K., Cumming, O., & Dreibelbis, R. (2018). Realities and experiences of community health volunteers as agents for behaviour change: Evidence from an informal urban settlement in Kisumu, Kenya. Human Resources for Health, 16(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12960-018-0318-4 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

4. Baličević, S. A., Elimian, K. O., King, C., Diaconu, K., Akande, O. W., Ihekweazu, V., Trolle, H., Gaudenzi, G., Forsberg, B., & Alfven, T. (2023). Influences of community engagement and health system strengthening for cholera control in cholera reporting countries. BMJ Global Health, 8(12), e013788. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2023-013788 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

5. Chukwudi, C. E., & Owoh, E. E. (2024). An assessment of the impacts of community development initiatives in Awgbu town in Anambra state, Nigeria. Research Journal in Advanced Humanities, 5(4). https://doi.org/10.58256/tjgan262 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

6. D. Osman, A. et al. (2013) ‘Millennium development goal seven, target 7C; achievements and barriers in Kenya’s arid and semi-arid land’, World Journal of Social Science, 1(1). doi:10.5430/wjss.v1n1p48. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

7. Ebob, T. J. (2020). An overview of cholera epidemiology: A focus on Africa; with a keen interest on Nigeria. International Journal of TROPICAL DISEASE & Health, 1-17. https://doi.org/10.9734/ijtdh/2019/v40i330229 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

8. Gulumbe, B., Aminu, U., Yusuf, Z., Liman, U., Faggo, A., Abubakar, J., Abdulrahim, A., & Usman, N. (2023). Cholera outbreaks in conflict-hit regions of Northern Nigeria: An overview. Afro-Egyptian Journal of Infectious and Endemic Diseases, 13(2), 134-142. https://doi.org/10.21608/aeji.2023.205724.1286 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

9. Habtu, M., Nanyingi, M., Hassan, A. A., Noor, A. M., Muli, J. M., Mwika, A., Wekesa, J., Fidhow, A., Dulacha, D., Kabego, L., Conteh, I. N., Fouda, A. A., Chene, S., Ibrahim, A. H., Omar, A. N., Livinus, M. C., & Diallo, A. (2024). Collaborative efforts and strategies for cholera outbreak control in Garissa County, Kenya: Implementation of water quality monitoring interventions. Journal of Water Resource and Protection, 16(02), 123-139. https://doi.org/10.4236/jwarp.2024.162008 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

10. Kiama, C., Okunga, E., Muange, A., Marwanga, D., Langat, D., Kuria, F., Amoth, P., Were, I., Gachohi, J., Ganda, N., Martinez Valiente, M., Njenga, M. K., Osoro, E., & Brunkard, J. (2023). Mapping of cholera hotspots in Kenya using epidemiologic and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) indicators as part of Kenya’s new 2022–2030 cholera elimination plan. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 17(3), e0011166. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0011166 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

11. Manaseh, B. A., John, G., Simon, K., & Christine, M. (2023). Mapping cholera risk in Nairobi County, Kenya: A comprehensive analysis of environmental, socio-economic, and WASH factors. African Journal of Health Sciences, 36(3), 286-298. https://doi.org/10.4314/ajhs.v36i3.11 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

12. McLeroy, K. R., Bibeau, D., Steckler, A., & Glanz, K. (1988). An ecological perspective on health promotion programs. Health Education Quarterly, 15(4), 351-377. https://doi.org/10.1177/109019818801500401 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

13. Mengel, M. A., Delrieu, I., Heyerdahl, L., & Gessner, B. D. (2014). Cholera outbreaks in Africa. Current Topics in Microbiology and Immunology, 117-144. https://doi.org/10.1007/82_2014_369 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

14. Mwatsahu, F. G., Karanja, S., Karama, M., Zimmermann, M. B., & Otieno, C. (2021). The effect of community-led total sanitation on development of anemia among children aged below five years in Kinango Sub-County, Kwale County. Africa Journal of Technical and Vocational Education and Training, 6(1), 189-198. https://doi.org/10.69641/afritvet.2021.61134 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

15. Piarroux, R., Moore, S., & Rebaudet, S. (2022). Cholera in Haiti. La Presse Médicale, 51(3), 104136. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lpm.2022.104136 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

16. Rong, T., Ristevski, E., & Carroll, M. (2023). Exploring community engagement in place-based approaches in areas of poor health and disadvantage: A scoping review. Health & Place, 81, 103026. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthplace.2023.103026 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

17. Sarker, M. H., Das, S. K., Sujon, H., Moriyama, M., Rahman, M. M., Uzzaman, M. N., Banu, S., Shahid, A. S., Das, J., Khan, S. H., Chisti, M. J., Faruque, A., & Ahmed, T. (2023). Changing water-sanitation determinants of cholera over two decades in Bangladesh. The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 109(2), 368-375. https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.22-0575 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

18. Unicef. (2023). unicef.org/appeals/drc/situation-reports. https://www.unicef.org/media/147226/file/DR-Congo-Humanitarian-Situation%20Report-1-January-30-June-2023.pdf [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

19. Walsh, A., Matthews, A., Manda-Taylor, L., Brugha, R., Mwale, D., Phiri, T., & Byrne, E. (2018). The role of the traditional leader in implementing maternal, newborn and child health policy in Malawi. Health Policy and Planning, 33(8), 879-887. https://doi.org/10.1093/heapol/czy059 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

20. Wasonga, J., Miyamichi, K., Hitachi, M., Ozaki, R., Karama, M., Hirayama, K., & Kaneko, S. (2023). Effects of community-led total sanitation (CLTS) boosting and household factors on latrine ownership in Siaya County, Kenya. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(18), 6781. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20186781 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

21. World Health Organization. (2022, March 30). Cholera. WHO. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cholera [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

22. World Health Organization. (2022, March 30). Cholera. WHO. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cholera [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

• Assessment of the Role of Artificial Intelligence in Repositioning TVET for Economic Development in Nigeria
• Teachers’ Use of Assure Model Instructional Design on Learners’ Problem Solving Efficacy in Secondary Schools in Bungoma County, Kenya
• “E-Booksan Ang Kaalaman”: Development, Validation, and Utilization of Electronic Book in Academic Performance of Grade 9 Students in Social Studies
• Analyzing EFL University Students’ Academic Speaking Skills Through Self-Recorded Video Presentation
• Major Findings of The Study on Total Quality Management in Teachers’ Education Institutions (TEIs) In Assam – An Evaluative Study