Cholera Education in Haiti: Review

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Its causes and effects
Prevention and control
Treatment
Mitigation Measures – Education
Challenges towards cholera education
Conclusion
References

Introduction

Cholera is a fatal human disease that affects the intestines of humans. Depending on the nature of the disease, it can occur as an epidemic, and cost lives of many individuals from a given habitat. A number of scientists, especially in the field of medicine have toiled relentlessly, in an effort curb this menace. However, despite all these interventions, cholera has remained a significant challenge to human health. In Haiti, after the cataclysmic earthquake that cost the lives of over 300, 000 residents’ cholera has become another calamity. Haiti, being a developing country that is recovering from effects of the quake, lacks sufficient water and effective sanitation systems. This, as a result, has culminated into the derailment of this predicament. In addition, a number of approaches adopted to address this challenge seem to have loopholes. As such, acquainting the population with the relevant information concerning the disease, and especially the children is a crucial step towards alleviating the cholera menace. Therefore, this document will look into education as a way to alleviate the cholera menace.

Its causes and effects

Sources have revealed cholera as a killer disease from the earlier part of the 19^th century. However, due to economic advancements, most of the developed countries have virtually wiped out the disease. Besides, the growing countries are still struggling with this challenge. Cholera was not a serious threat to the Haitian prior to the onset of the disastrous earthquake, for over half a decade (Farmer, 2011). Its onset in Artibonite shook the people of Haiti. However, in case the Haitian government had adequately prepared for cholera, and other disease outbreaks, their rippling effects could have been less severe.

Vibrio cholerae is the bacteria responsible for this fatal disease. This bacterium infests the small intestines, making the victim to diarrhea profusely. Later, the patient becomes rigorously desiccated, and the condition may be fatal, where there is no urgent intervention. The spread of the disease arises because of poor sewerage sanitation systems. The disease spread also aggravates because of the ingestion of contaminated food, as well as water (Herlinger & Jeffrey, 2011). In Haiti, the adverse effects of the deadly quake have exacerbated the scourge. Besides, it is not clear about the initial origin of the bacteria, but speculations are that some UN Nepalese army was the first to introduce the disease after the quake. However, concerned parties ought to alleviate the causes of the disease, some being to educating the Haitian mass, and children in particular. The Haitian authorities had also done little within the health segment. Additionally, studies have indicated that out of over 125, 000 infected individuals, over 3, 200 victims succumbed to the malady.

This has severely affected the already falling economy of Haiti negatively. Moreover, the funds deficiency for fighting the diseases significantly derails the process. Besides, various approaches seem inadequate. For instance, various NGO’s within Haiti emphasize on treating the already infected individuals, thereby neglecting various preventive measures (Tann, 2012). Additionally, various reports indicate that the Cholera plague has had detrimental effects on the economy of Haiti, particularly the health sector. As a result, food security in Haiti poses a different hazard. This further disrupts the intervention process undertaken by various concerned parties. Poverty has also played a key role in heightening the effects of the scourge. Many cases of cholera have come out from those people receiving aid from the refugee camps, since they lack access to hygienic food along with water. Additionally, sewerage and infrastructural system within these camps are in devastating conditions, exposing the fecal matter to the water sources.

Prevention and control

The detrimental effects of Cholera epidemic have intensified due to the poor conditions in the water and sewerage systems within Haiti. Moreover, critics argue that Cholera is a disease of the underprivileged inhabitants. Besides, various international NGOs have worked relentlessly to reduce the plague. As a result, in an endeavor to diminish the epidemic, it is significant for the concerned authorities to set policies that will improve the water and sewerage systems within Haiti. This will improve sanitation within the nation, and thereby reduce the severity of the outbreak (CDC, 2011).

Vaccination can also considerably aid in preventing the infection from its fast spreading. Travelers and other inhabitants ought to take the vaccination to prevent the quick spreading. However, this faces criticism from various health reviewers. In such cases, these critics should devise a workable alternative to the vaccination. Moreover, it is extremely pertinent to educate the whole population of Haiti, and particularly the children about the significance of sanitation. This will significantly aid in preventing the rampant stretch of the disease due to the ignorance of the mass with respect to sanitation. Besides, there ought to be ways, whereby the concerned parties should teach the essence of clean meals and drinks especially upon visiting new places.

Children and other members of the Haitian population should learn the essence of sanitation, especially during handling meals. This includes drinking boiled water at all times, in order to kill any cholera bacteria that may be present, since cholera is waterborne (Katz, 2011). It is also beneficial to clean hands with soap and harmless water. The Haitian authorities and other concerned parties such as UN and WHO have increased their efforts in providing sanitized water to the populace.

Moreover, concerned parties should teach the population to consume thoroughly cooked foodstuffs and carefully wash fruits and vegetables before consumption. Moreover, people should shun from raw fish, seafood, and foods from vendors, particularly during the time of epidemic. Besides, concerned parties should teach children on proper methods of disposing their fecal matter, which includes using hygienic toilets and pit latrines, which should always remain closed. Additionally, families should constantly utilize disinfectants to clean up kitchens, and other places within their homes to reduce the augmented chances of contacting the bacteria.

Treatment

Despite the intervention, and funding by the international organizations to control the disease, the effect of the disease remains a challenge. However, with proper policies enacted, the treatment of the disease will soon be a success. Treatment should begin once the healthcare givers diagnose the patients of the disease. Besides, the treatment of the disease is usually by use of prescribed antibiotics, particularly to the moderately affected patients for killing the vibrio cholerae bacteria (CDC, 2011). Additionally, the use of oral rehydration salts (ORS) significantly facilitates the quick replacement of the patients’ body fluids lost during the diarrheal period of the ailment. However, under severe conditions of the disease, intravenous fluid substitution occurs. This rehydration therapy should continue for between three to five days for the full recovery. In addition, studies have revealed that zinc supplements are efficient in curbing diarrhea in children.

Mitigation Measures – Education

The Haitian authorities, together with other interested parties, have employed various measures, in order to alleviate the effects of cholera in Haiti. For instance, the NGO’s have trained numerous staff about cholera prevention and cure. The trained staff has applied their expertise in training various families and particularly children on how to prevent themselves from the epidemic. Besides, Haiti should experience various mass campaigns that aim at creating awareness on the disease. The government should also arrange workshops and conferences aimed at increasing cholera knowledge within Haiti. Besides, NGOs such as WHI have assisted significantly in training over 60, 000 most vulnerable individuals on the significance of proper hygiene, as well as sanitation (Bansal & Hoffman, 2012). Consequently, these participants have become equipped with ways of averting the disease, and its effects (Katz, 2011). These participants will also aid in training their colleagues on apposite sanitation measures, and thereby aid in controlling the menace.

Challenges towards cholera education

Education on the battle against cholera in Haiti has not been without setbacks. Firstly, there are limited funds set aside for this course. Therefore, a significant proportion of Haitians are devoid of access to this education, thereby amplifying the effects of the scourge. However, funding from international well-wishers and various NGOs has appreciably aided in bridging this gap. Moreover, the authorities involved in managing the finances from donors lack the credibility required in managing the funds. This makes some individuals lack the relevant education on the scourge, thereby leaving them vulnerable to the disease. Fortunately, NGOs and other concerned bodies have intervened on this issue, making the education easily accessible to the population by directly interacting with the affected persons (Katz, 2011).

Besides, the trainers are also inadequate for running such programs. The available trainers sometimes lack the necessary equipment and other training resources, making it intricate to reach a large number of the affected population. The already trained individuals ought to train their fellow inhabitants on the learnt skills to fight the pandemic (Grigg, 2011). Moreover, there is a desire to augment the supply of sanitation kits to the public. Poverty has also been a key setback in the fight to alleviate cholera in Haiti. This owes to the fact that numerous individuals reside in impecunious conditions. Therefore, they lack the aptitude to afford appropriate sanitation equipment. Fortunately, the concerned parties have played a key role in providing this population with the necessary education and hygienic equipment.

Conclusion

Haitians have never had any significant cholera epidemic for over a half a century, until the recent outbreak that paved way for this pandemic. The scourge has infected countless individuals, with many succumbing to the illness. Cholera, a waterborne disease is a menace to the health of many Haiti inhabitants. Besides, many of these individuals, particularly children, lack the vital information concerning the diseases’ prevention and treatment. However, the government, numerous international donors, and NGOs have united and implemented measures that will ensure that this group achieves the necessary information about the disease and gets the needed equipment, in order to control the plague. In addition, vaccination and improved sanitation are among other preventive measures. Besides, this fight faces numerous challenges, which include lack of adequate funding and mismanagement. Additionally, some critics contest while others dispute that some mitigation measures have flaws. However, despite these challenges, the fight towards controlling the illness in Haiti will soon become a success.

References

Bansal, P. & Hoffman, A. (2012). The Oxford handbook of business and the natural environment Oxford, OX: Oxford University Press.

CDC, (2011). Health information for international travel 2012: The Yellow Book Oxford, OX: Oxford University Press.

Farmer, P., (2011). Haiti after the quake, New York, NY: Public Affairs Publishers.

Grigg, N. (2011). Water finance: public responsibilities and private opportunities. New York, NY: John Wiley and Sons Publishers.

Herlinger, C. & Jeffrey, P. (2011). Rubble nation: Haiti’s pain, Haiti’s promise, New York, NY: Seabury Books.

Katz, R. (2011). Essentials of public health preparedness, Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Publishers.

Tann, M. (2012). Haitian Vodou: an Introduction to Haiti’s indigenous spiritual tradition. Woodbury, MN: Llewellyn Worldwide.

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