Filling evidence gaps for commonly used cholera interventions

Cholera outbreaks are an increasing concern, particularly in communities without water and sanitation. Many interventions are used to reduce transmission in communities and households, but there is little evidence to inform their use. As part of a larger programme of work on infectious disease control, Tufts University conducted this study between 2017 and 2020 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Bangladesh and Haiti.

The study made valuable contributions to the evidence base around cholera interventions, and increased awareness and knowledge among humanitarian professionals, policymakers, researchers and academics. It helped to inform national and global policy and programming through national cholera control plans and highlighted the interconnectedness of infectious diseases, for example cholera, Marburg virus, Ebola and COVID-19, and the need for similar interventions. The research skills of all study partners were also strengthened for them to deliver high-impact research in the future.

R2HC captures detailed case studies through a process that triangulates and validates evidence on uptake and impact. The case study methodology and full version of this summary case study including references are available on request. Outputs and resources from this study are available on the project page.