Study of a Targeted Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene WASH Intervention to Prevent Cholera in Households Near Cholera Patients

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating the Cholera-Hospital-Based-Intervention-for-7-Days CHoBI7 Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene WASH Case Area Targeted Intervention CATI to reduce cholera infections and promote lasting WASH behaviors in areas near cholera cases in Bangladesh. Cholera causes millions of infections globally each year, and this study focuses on people living close to cholera patients who are at much higher risk during the first week after the patient receives care. The study aims to find scalable ways to deliver effective WASH interventions to these high-risk communities. The study involves three phases development and planning of the intervention using interviews and pilot testing, implementation and evaluation through a randomized controlled trial, and dissemination of findings for policy planning. Participants in the trial will be divided into two groups. One group receives the usual advice on oral rehydration and a WASH leaflet during a single visit. The other group participates in group sessions led by a health promoter who teaches about diarrhea spread, handwashing, water treatment, and safe water storage. These households also receive a cholera prevention package and weekly voice and text messages for 12 months promoting WASH behaviors. Water and clinical samples will be analyzed to study cholera transmission. Participants will be followed for one month to track new cholera infections and for 12 months to observe diarrhea cases and WASH behaviors. Data collected includes handwashing frequency, water quality, psychosocial factors, and child growth assessments. The study measures the number of cholera infections in the participant rings around cholera cases as the primary outcome. Safety monitoring and long-term follow-up are integrated throughout the trial, which is expected to provide important evidence on controlling cholera through targeted WASH interventions.

Cholera-Hospital-Based-Intervention-for-7-Days (CHoBI7) Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Case Area Targeted Intervention (CATI)