Zimbabweans in Louis Trichardt at high risk of diarrhoea
Thando Gwetu, one of the Master of Public Health students I supervised while working at the University of Venda, conducted a study on the prevalence and risk factors for diarrhoea among adult Zimbabwean immigrants in Louis Trichardt. The results were published as a scientific letter – of which I am the second author – in the April 2011 issue of the South African Medical Journal.
The political and economic decline in Zimbabwe has led to large numbers of Zimbabweans migrating to South Africa. Many Zimbabwean immigrants live in poverty in Limpopo province, Louis Trichardt being one of the first places they settle.
Methods
This cross-sectional study assessed Zimbabwean immigrants aged 18 years and above living in Louis Trichardt, in a sample of convenience. A questionnaire was administered to 110 participants, covering socio-demographic features, living conditions, health risk factors (water quality, sanitation and hygiene) and diarrhoea morbidity. Frequency tables were made and associations between variables were assessed using Chi-square / Fisher’s exact and t-tests.
Results
The prevalence of diarrhoea was calculated to be 24.5%, and the mean number of diarrhoea episodes was calculated to be 0.38 per person in two weeks. Multiple cross-tab analyses revealed that those with diarrhoea had more labour contract jobs, compared to those without diarrhoea (who had more piece jobs). The proportion living in make shift houses was higher for those with diarrhoea compared to those without. Finally, those with diarrhoea had a higher monthly expenditure than those without.
Conclusion
Results show that the conditions for informal residents, puts them at high risk of diarrhoea. Environmental factors particularly hygiene and sanitation are major contributing factors towards diarrhoea burden. This study also demonstrated that socio-demographic factors and living conditions of migrants put them at risk of exposure to these environmental factors. It was recommended that a surveillance system could enable early recognition and prevention of diarrhoea outbreaks. Continuous prevention efforts need to include public awareness and educational campaigns on sanitation, hygiene, water quality and methods for household treatment and storage of water.