Households' Hygienic Practices that Contribute to Recurrent Cholera Outbreaks in Homa - Bay County, Kenya

Julius Muga, Mary Muiruri, Joan Muriithi

Abstract: The study objective was to determine hygienic practices among household members that contribute to severe diarrhea leading to hospitalization in Ndhiwa Sub - County. This was a survey research design, which was cross - sectional analytical in nature and involved 400 participants. Data was collected and analyzed using SPSS. There was statistically significant relationship between severe diarrhea leading to hospitalization and existence of HWFs (chi - square = 14.348, p = 0.000 < 0.01), signs of latrine use (chi - square = 3.353, p = 0.043 < 0.05). It is concluded that there is a relationship between households? hygienic practices and severe diarrhea leading to hospitalization.

Keywords: Household head, cholera outbreak, hygienic practices, improved latrine, hand washing