Community Health Education and the Control of Cholera Outbreaks in Selected Local Government Areas of Borno State

Cholera outbreaks continue to pose significant public health threats in the North East geopolitical zone of Nigeria, with Borno State recording recurrent epidemics linked to displacement, poor water quality, and inadequate sanitation. This study examined the role of community health education in the control of cholera outbreaks across selected local government areas in Borno State. A descriptive survey design was used, targeting community members, health workers, and local government health officials in Maiduguri, Jere, and Konduga LGAs. A total of 280 respondents were purposively sampled, and data were collected through structured questionnaires and key informant interviews. Findings indicated that communities with active health education programmes recorded lower rates of cholera-related hospital admissions during recent outbreaks. Knowledge of oral rehydration therapy and proper handwashing was significantly higher among respondents who had participated in community health education sessions within the previous 12 months. However, displacement from conflict, inadequate clean water supply, and disruption of health infrastructure were cited as major contextual barriers. The study recommended that health education interventions in Borno State must be conflict-sensitive and designed to reach internally displaced populations through mobile health education units. Collaboration with humanitarian organisations is encouraged. Keywords: cholera control, community health education, Borno State, North East Nigeria, outbreak management