INVESTIGATING THE SOCIOECONOMIC DETERMINANTS OF CHOLERA OUTBREAKS IN KARGO COMMUNITY, SUMAILA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, KANO STATE, NIGERIA

Cholera is an acute diarrheal disease caused by Vibrio cholerae, which remains a major public health concern globally. It is characterized by the sudden onset of profuse watery diarrhea, leading to dehydration and, if untreated, death within hours. According to the World Health Organization (WHO, 2023), cholera continues to affect millions of people worldwide, particularly in regions where access to clean water and adequate sanitation is limited. In Nigeria, cholera outbreaks occur almost every year, with several states reporting recurrent epidemics that claim hundreds of lives. Socioeconomic factors play a central role in the occurrence and persistence of cholera outbreaks. Communities with poor sanitation facilities, low income, overcrowded housing, and limited education are disproportionately affected. The link between poverty and infectious diseases is well-documented; households with poor access to safe water sources and inadequate waste disposal methods are more vulnerable to outbreaks. Similarly, low literacy levels reduce awareness about preventive practices such as handwashing, water treatment, and early health-seeking behavior. [Kargo] has experienced repeated cholera outbreaks in recent years, highlighting the urgent need for context-specific research. Despite government interventions such as oral rehydration therapy campaigns, public health education, and environmental sanitation programs, cholera remains a recurring challenge. Understanding the socioeconomic determinants that drive these outbreaks in the community is crucial for designing sustainable preventive strategies. In Nigeria, cholera continues to pose a serious public health problem. Outbreaks occur almost every year, especially during the rainy season when flooding exacerbates the contamination of water sources. According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), more than 111,000 suspected cholera cases and over 3,600 deaths were reported in 2021, making it one of the deadliest outbreaks in the last decade. These outbreaks not only claim lives but also strain the already fragile healthcare system and negatively affect social and economic development.Kano State is one of the states frequently affected by cholera outbreaks. Its large population, coupled with poor environmental sanitation, high levels of open defecation, overcrowding, and reliance on unsafe water sources, has made it highly vulnerable. In rural communities such as