Association Between Cholera Knowledge and Hygiene Practices Among Residents of Informal Settlements in Ibadan, Nigeria
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31149/ijimm.v4i6.2935Keywords:
Cholera knowledge, WASH practices, informal settlements, hygiene behaviour, Ibadan, Nigeria, water and sanitationAbstract
Introduction: Cholera remains a major public health challenge in low-resource urban settings, particularly in informal settlements where poor sanitation, unsafe water, and inadequate hygiene practices increase transmission risk. Knowledge of cholera is considered a key determinant of preventive behaviour, yet its influence on WASH practices in densely populated urban slums remains insufficiently explored in Ibadan, Nigeria.
Aim: This study assessed the association between cholera knowledge and WASH practices among residents of informal settlements in Ibadan, Nigeria.
Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study design was employed among residents of selected informal settlements. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, and multivariate logistic regression. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.
Results: The study found that 66.9% of respondents had good WASH practices, while 49.6% had poor knowledge of cholera. A significant association was observed between cholera knowledge and WASH practices (χ² = 24.64, p < 0.001), with the proportion of good practices increasing with improved knowledge levels. Multivariate analysis showed that respondents with fair knowledge (AOR = 0.42; 95% CI: 0.29–0.67) and good knowledge (AOR = 0.26; 95% CI: 0.13–0.52) were significantly less likely to exhibit poor WASH practices compared to those with poor knowledge. Other socio-demographic factors were not significant predictors after adjustment.
Conclusion: Cholera knowledge is a significant determinant of WASH practices among residents of informal settlements in Ibadan. However, sustained improvements in hygiene behaviour require integrated interventions that combine health education with improvements in water and sanitation infrastructure.
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