Preventing cholera through targeted water and hygiene interventions
Official title: Evidence Based Targeted Water Sanitation, and Hygiene Interventions to Reduce Cholera in Hotspots in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Run by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health · NCT05166850 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new way to improve water and hygiene practices for families of diarrhea patients in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to see if it can help prevent cholera.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 2900 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Academic / other |
| Locations | 2 sites (Bukavu, South Kivu and 1 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | December 22, 2021 |
| Main results expected | December 22, 2026 |
| Study ends | December 31, 2026 |
| Registry record updated | December 17, 2025 |
| Trial ID | NCT05166850 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates include diarrhea patients with three or more loose stools in 24 hours, lacking running water at home, residing in Bukavu for the next year, and having a child under 5 years old in the household.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients presenting with a fever or those without a working mobile phone in the household may not benefit from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This study aims to develop and evaluate a targeted water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) intervention for household members of diarrhea patients in South Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo. It involves formative research and a randomized controlled trial with 2,320 participants from 580 households of severe diarrhea patients. The trial compares a standard health message with the PICHA7 mHealth program, which includes personalized health promotion and home visits during a critical 7-day period for disease transmission. The study also investigates the dynamics of cholera and severe diarrhea transmission using genomics and risk factor analysis.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could significantly reduce the incidence of cholera and severe diarrhea among household members of affected patients.
How similar studies have gone: Other studies have shown success with similar WASH interventions in reducing diarrheal diseases, indicating a promising approach.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Diarrhea patients presenting with three or more loose stools over a 24h period * Having no running water inside of their home * Plan to reside in Bukavu for the next 12 months * Have a child \<5 years in their household * Have a working mobile phone in the household Exclusion Criteria: * No one will be excluded because of age, sex, religion, or sexual preference * Presenting at the health facility with a fever (COVID-19 prevention)
Where it's running
-
General Provincial Reference Hospital of Bukavu
Bukavu, South Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo Recruiting -
Université Catholique de Bukavu
Bukavu, South Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Christine Marie George, PhD — Associate Professor
- Study coordinator: Christine Marie George, PhD
- Email: cmgeorge@jhu.edu
- Phone: (202) 657-5798
Similar studies
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This study is testing a new program to see if better water and hygiene practices can help reduce cholera and diarrhea in homes with young children.
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This project will follow pregnant women and their babies in Zimbabwe to see if maternal malnutrition and poor water, sanitation and hygiene change the baby's gut microbiome and gut health.
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This study is testing if certain immune markers can show how well the cholera vaccine works in people receiving it compared to those getting a different vaccine.
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.