Table 5 Common challenges found in implementing cholera responses, by country

Number of reports (n)

15

4

1

20

Coordination with government or other agencies

 (a) Limited coordination with local government or other agencies during response

7

6

1

14

Surveillance

 (b) Epidemiological data was inaccurate or incomplete

6

3

1

10

Supply

 (c) Delayed supply of materials

5

1

1

7

 (d) Insufficient quantity of materials delivered

6

1

2

9

Case management

 (e) Staff inexperienced with cholera case management protocols

3

1

2

6

Community engagement

 (f) Stigma and fear of cholera among population inhibited community engagement

–

4

1

5

Human resources

 (g) Delayed hiring of health promotion staff

2

2

–

4

 (h) Inadequate number of staff hired for infection, prevention and control (IPC) in HCFs

–

1

2

3

 (i) Limited health promotion staff available for adequate health promotion

1

2

–

3

Geographical context

 (j) Population was difficult to reach due to distances

1

2

–

3

 (k) Population was difficult to reach due to weather e.g., storms, floods

–

1

–

1

Water supply

 (l) Limited water supply among population

1

1

1

3

Medical waste management at health care facilities (HCFs)

 (m) Medical waste disposed of an incorrect and unsafe manner

–

2

1

3

Safety and security

 (n) Risk of violence to staff from population/area

1

2

–

3

Total

33

29

12

74