NIGERIAN JOURNAL OF HEALTH PROMOTION

Food Safety Practices And Food Security Among Rural Households In Bayelsa State, Nigeria

2026-10-17T13:36:25+00:00

Food safety and food security are fundamental to public health, nutrition, and sustainable rural development, particularly in developing countries where poverty, environmental degradation, inadequate infrastructure, and limited awareness of food hygiene continue to threaten household well-being. This paper examines the relationship between food safety practices and household food security among rural households in Bayelsa State, Nigeria. It reviews key food safety practices, including hygienic food handling, proper food preparation, safe storage, the use of potable water, effective preservation methods, and measures for preventing biological, chemical, and physical food contamination. The paper further discusses the four dimensions of food security food availability, food access, food utilization, and food stability and explains how inadequate food safety practices undermine nutritional outcomes through increased foodborne diseases, poor nutrient absorption, reduced labour productivity, higher healthcare costs, and persistent household food insecurity. The review identifies major challenges affecting food safety practices in rural communities, including inadequate access to clean water, poor sanitation, seasonal flooding, environmental pollution associated with oil exploration, weak food preservation technologies, poverty, low levels of food safety awareness, and ineffective enforcement of food safety regulations. It also highlights practical strategies for improving food safety and strengthening household food security through community-based food safety education, improved water supply and sanitation, investment in modern food preservation technologies, strengthened agricultural and health extension services, effective implementation of food safety policies, and sustainable rural development initiatives. The paper concludes that improving food safety practices is essential for enhancing household food security, reducing the burden of foodborne diseases, improving nutritional status, and promoting healthier and more resilient rural livelihoods in Bayelsa State. It recommends integrated interventions involving government, communities, and development partners to achieve sustainable food systems and support the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Effect of Logo-therapy Technique on Reducing Social Anxiety Disorder and Promoting Health and Well-being among Junior Secondary School Students in Imo State, Nigeria

2026-10-17T13:31:00+00:00

This study evaluated the effect of logo-therapy on reduction of social anxiety disorder and promoting health and well-being among secondary school students Orlu, Imo State, Nigeria. The study was carried out in Orlu Local Government Area. The sample of the study was 48 social anxiety disorder students in junior secondary schools Orlu, Imo State. The researcher formulated two research questions and two hypotheses to guide study. The study was a quasi-experimental study adopting pre-test, post-test and control group arrangement design used on a sample of 48 social anxiety disordered students were purposefully drawn from two randomly selected Co-educational senior secondary school class two students in Orlu, lmo State. In each school, one intact group was selected, the groups were assigned, experimental and control conditions. Two research questions and null hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance. A 20-items instrument titled Social Anxiety Disorder Reduction Assessment Rating Scale (SADRARS) developed by the researchers was used. Two training programmes namely: Logo-therapy Technique and Conventional Lesson Treatment Plan were developed. Logo-therapy was used for experimental while control received conventional teaching method. The two techniques were administered before and after treatment. Instrument was validated and reliability index of 0.79 was obtained. Mean and Standard Deviation were used to answer research questions while Analysis of Covariance was used to test hypotheses. Results revealed that Logo-therapy was effective in reducing social anxiety disorder among junior secondary school students. Also logo-therapy was found to be effective in improving student's mental health. No significant effect on students’ mental health in wellness based on gender was found. However a major health education teaching and counselling implication of the findings was that reduction in social anxiety disorder depends on training in logo-therapy and this suggests that health educators would achieve better results if students were equipped with relevant skills using logo-therapy and education institutions incorporating Iogo-therapy in lifestyle modification.

Awareness of Preeclampsia Risk Factors among Women of Reproductive Age in Owerri Municipal Council, Imo State, Nigeria

2026-10-17T13:22:47+00:00

Pre-eclampsia is a serious complication of pregnancy that is life-threatening and a leading cause of maternal mortality and morbidity all over the world. This study investigated awareness of pre-eclampsia risk factors. among women of reproductive age (women 15-49 years) in Owerri Municipal Council, Imo State, Nigeria. A cross-sectional research survey design was adopted for the study. The population of the study consisted of 177,200 women of reproductive age. The sample for the study comprised 420 women of reproductive age mothers drawn using multi-staged sampling involving simple random and convenience sampling techniques. The instrument used for data collection was a self-designed "Awareness of Pre-eclampsia Risk Factors Questionnaire (APRFQ)." Frequency and percentages were used to answer the research questions while the null hypotheses were tested using Chi-square statistics at .05 level of significance. The results indicated that overall, women demonstrated high awareness of pre-eclampsia risk factors (72.4%). Awareness was significantly associated with age and educational level (p <. 05). The study recommended among others that nurses and other healthcare providers should intensify efforts in educating mothers during antenatal care in simple language that everyone can understand.

Prevalence of Diabetes Mellitus among Patients in Healthcare Facilities in Ikwerre LGA, Rivers State, from 2019-2023

2026-10-12T11:32:20+00:00

Diabetes mellitus is an important public health concern, but facility-level evidence from Ikwerre Local Government Area is limited. The study determined the annual and subgroup prevalence of documented diabetes mellitus among patient records in selected healthcare facilities in Ikwerre LGA from 2019 to 2023. A retrospective review of 336,820 eligible patient records identified 354 documented diabetes diagnoses. Frequencies, prevalence rates per 10,000 records, and chisquare tests were used. Results revealed that overall period prevalence was 10.5 per 10,000 records, while the unweighted mean annual rate was 11.1 per 10,000. Recorded rates were higher among males than females and among patients with formal education than those with informal education. Documented diabetes diagnoses varied by year and subgroup, but the facility-based design, changing attendance, and possible differences in screening and record completeness limit community-level inference.

Utilization of Personal Protective Equipment in Preventing Occupational Outcomes among Artisanal Workers in Enugu Metropolis, Enugu State, Nigeria

2026-10-17T13:13:47+00:00

This study examined the utilization of personal protective equipment (PPE) in preventing occupational outcomes among artisanal workers in Enugu metropolis, Enugu State, Nigeria. Two research questions were answered and two null hypotheses were tested at the 0.05 level of significance. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey design. The population comprised 1,250 registered artisanal workers in Enugu metropolis drawn from the National Directorate of Employment (2023) database. The sample size was 303 artisanal workers, determined using Taro Yamane's formula at a 5% margin of error, and participants were drawn using a multi-stage sampling procedure combining cluster identification and proportionate stratified random sampling. Data were collected with a researcher-developed instrument titled Personal Protective Equipment Utilization Questionnaire (PPEUQ), a 5-point Likert-scaled instrument structured into three sections and face-validated by three experts in the Department of Public Health, Madonna University Nigeria, Elele. A pilot test on 30 artisanal workers outside the study area yielded Cronbach's alpha coefficients of 0.84 for Section B (extent of PPE utilization) and 0.79 for Section C (types of PPE utilized), with an overall coefficient of 0.82. Of the 303 copies distributed, 287 were properly completed and retrieved, representing a 94.7% return rate. Frequencies and percentages described the demographic variables, mean and standard deviation answered the research questions, and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) tested the null hypotheses, with item-level ANOVA applied to the seven individual PPE types. Findings revealed that artisanal workers utilized PPE to a moderate extent (grand mean = 3.36, SD = 1.03), concentrated on safety boots and hand gloves, while respiratory and eye protection recorded low utilization (grand mean = 2.93, SD = 1.02). Educational level produced a significant difference in the extent of PPE utilization, F(2, 284) = 14.87, p = .000. Years of work experience produced significant item-level differences in five of the seven PPE types; respirators, helmets, protective clothing, goggles and ear protection (all p < .001), while utilization of safety boots and hand gloves did not differ significantly by experience. The study concluded that PPE utilization among artisanal workers in Enugu metropolis is uneven and skewed away from the hazards that carry the greatest respiratory risk. It was recommended, among others, that occupational health regulations covering the informal sector be strengthened and that subsidised respiratory protection be made available to artisanal work clusters.

Intention, Perceptions, and Uptake of Human Papillomavirus Vaccination among Adolescent Girls in Irri Isoko South in Delta State, Nigeria

2026-10-17T13:06:27+00:00

Globally, Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the silent driver behind cervical cancer, silently threatening the health and future of adolescent girls and women around the world. Human Papillomavirus is the leading cause of cervical cancer, which remains a major public health problem among adolescent girls in Nigeria. Vaccination is the most effective preventive strategy, but uptake seems to remain low due to poor perception and intent. The study assessed the perception and intent of Human Papillomavirus vaccine uptake among adolescent girls in Irri, Isoko South Local Government Area, Delta State. The study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional research design. The population comprised all adolescent girls aged 10-19 years in Irri community, Isoko South LGA. A total of 550 adolescent girls were selected using a multistage sampling procedure, Data was collected using self -administered self-administered structured questionnaire titled: Intention, Perceptions, and Uptake of Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Questionnaires (IPUHPVVQ). Data were analysed using frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation with SPSS version 26. The findings revealed that with an aggregate mean value of 2.891±0.926, the adolescents accepted that they will take HPV vaccine in the community. The study also revealed aggregate mean of 3.03 and standard deviation of 0.863 suggest a consistent positive perception of willingness towards the uptake of Human Papillomavirus vaccine among participants. The study proves that adolescent girls in Irri have a positive intention and perception toward HPV vaccine uptake. Cost, dose schedule, and parental support were not major barriers, indicating readiness for HPV vaccination programmes. However, Delta State Ministry of Health should provide free HPV vaccination in schools, integrate HPV education into school health programmes, and train health workers to intensify community sensitization to sustain positive perception and improve uptake.

Perceived Influence of Internet Use on Health Information Seeking Behaviour among University Students in Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria

2026-10-17T12:58:28+00:00

Internet use has become an important source of health information for undergraduates, improving health awareness and encouraging proactive health seeking behaviour. However, the extent to which it influences undergraduates’ health-seeking behavior remains unclear. This study determined perceived influence of internet use on health information seeking behaviour among undergraduate students in Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria. Five objectives with five corresponding research questions guided the study. A descriptive survey design was utilized. The study population consisted of 13,067 degree undergraduate from federal institutions in Owerri, Imo State. Stratified random sampling procedure was used to select entire 300 undergraduate students as the sample size. The self-structured questionnaire was utilized for data collection. Data were analysed using frequency and percentage to answer the research questions. The results revealed that slightly more than half (53.7%) of university students perceived internet use as having an influence on their health information-seeking behaviour. Above half of the university students perceived internet use as influencing their preventive health information-seeking behaviour, while a similar proportion perceived an influence on curative health information-seeking behaviour. Likewise, above half of university students perceived internet use as influencing their health-related risk-avoidance behaviour. The authors therefore recommended that university authorities should organize awareness campaigns through various media platforms and incorporate educational courses on appropriate health-seeking behaviour, Educating students about the proper use of online health information and the potential consequences of excessive or inappropriate internet health-seeking behavior can help reduce the prevalence of self-directed internet health information seeking among undergraduate students. The study further recommend that University communities should provide free access to reliable health information portals and collaborate with credible online health platforms to direct students to accurate and verified health information

Awareness and Utilisation of Artificial Intelligence in Enhancing Exercise and Physical Health Education Adherence among University Students in Enugu State

2026-10-17T12:51:58+00:00

Artificial intelligence has emerged as an innovative technology for promoting healthy lifestyle through personalized exercise guidance, real time feedback, wearable devices, and intelligent fitness applications. Despite its growing global adoption, awareness and utilisation of AI based exercise technologies among university students in Nigeria remains relatively low due to inadequate digital infrastructure, limited institutional support and insufficient integration into physical and health education programs. This study examined the awareness and utilization of artificial intelligence in enhancing exercise and physical health education adherence among university students in Enugu State, Nigeria. The study adopted across sectional survey design. The population comprises 66,775 undergraduate students from public universities in Enugu States a sample of 389 students was selected using a multistage sampling procedure. Data were collected using a researcher-developed questionnaire. The reliability coefficient of 0.71 using Cronbach’s alpha was obtained. The Frequency and percentages were used to answer the research questions, whereas chi-square statistics tested the hypothesis at the 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed that most students were aware of AI-based exercises technologies (81.7%), although their level of utilisation was only moderate (49.4%). The study further indicated that students perceived AI technologies as effective in improving exercise participation and adherence to physical health education activities. The study proved that increased awareness and institutional support could significantly improve the utilisation of AI technologies for exercise and physical health education adherence. However, universities should integrate AI-based fitness technologies into physical and health education programs and organize awareness campaign to improve students’ adoption of AI-supported exercise interventions.

Community Driven Actions

2026-10-17T13:39:21+00:00

Creating safe environments is one of the most effective ways to promote health equity in communities. Community-driven action refers to activities planned, organized, and carried out by community members to identify and solve common health and environmental problems. These actions include community sanitation exercises, health education campaigns, neighborhood security initiatives, environmental clean-up programmes, waste management, tree planting, advocacy, and volunteer health outreach. Such actions encourage people to work together through collective responsibility to improve the safety and well-being of everyone in the community. Because these activities are based on local knowledge, shared trust, and collective responsibility, they often produce lasting results. For example, community leaders, youth groups, health workers, and faith-based organizations can work together to improve sanitation, promote healthy behaviours, reduce environmental hazards, and increase access to basic health services. These efforts create safer places where people can live, work, and raise healthy families while promoting social inclusion by ensuring that all members of the community participate and benefit equally. A safe environment supports health equity by ensuring that all people, regardless of their income or social background, have equal opportunities to enjoy good health. When communities participate in planning and implementing safety programs, the solutions are more acceptable, sustainable, and suited to local needs. Therefore, community-driven action plays an important role in reducing health inequalities and creating healthier, safer, and more inclusive communities for everyone.

Influence of Age and Gender on the Effectiveness of Type 2 Diabetes prevention Education Programs

2026-10-17T13:32:55+00:00

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) remains a pressing global health challenge, disproportionately affecting elderly populations. Understanding and addressing the impacts of age and gender on the knowledge and attitude of the elderly populations is pivotal in examining the effectiveness of type 2 diabetes prevention education programme. The present study examines the influence of age and gender on the effectiveness of Type 2 Diabetes prevention Education Programs on Knowledge and Attitudes of the Elderly Populations. The study adopted quasi experimental research design. Specifically, the pre-test – post-test non randomized control group design. Twenty seven specific objectives with corresponding research questions and null hypotheses guided the study. The population for the study comprised of all the elderly populations that are registered as retirees (10779) in Enugu State Public service. A total of 78 retirees constituted the sample for the study. The instrument for data collection was the researcher designed- structured questionnaire titled Influence of age and gender on the effectiveness of Diabetes Prevention Education Program on Knowledge and Attitude of the elderly population Questionnaire (IAGEDEPKAEPQ)” The reliability indices of r= 0.63, and r= 0.75 were obtained. The split half method with Spearman- Brown Correction formula was used to measure knowledge. Cronbach’s alpha statistical tool was used to determine the reliability coefficient that measured attitude. Mean and standard deviation were used to answer research questions while t-test was used to test the null hypotheses at .05 level of significance. The findings showed that younger elderly populations and male elderly populations had higher mean T2DM knowledge scores than older and female elderly populations, while the mean T2DM attitude scores of younger elderly populations and male elderly populations exposed were higher. In addition, There was no significance interaction effect of age and gender the effectiveness of diabetes prevention education programe (DPEP) on the mean T2DM knowledge and attitude scores of elderly populations in Enugu State, F(.041)=..177, p = .840, (r2) = .001..; F(.175)= .017, p = .895, (r2)= .000. This implies that, age and gender was not effective in improving T2DM knowledge and attitude score of the elderly populations. Based on the findings, the authors recommended that, Healthcare facilities providing geriatric services should integrate structured diabetes prevention education into routine health screening and follow-up visits for elderly patients.

Knowledge of Risk Factors and Preventive Measures for Traumatic Dental Injuries among In-School Adolescents in Ondo West Local Government Area, Ondo State, Nigeria

2026-10-17T13:27:06+00:00

Traumatic dental injuries (TDIs) can produce lasting functional, aesthetic, psychological, and social effects in adolescents.A descriptive cross-sectional survey involved 97 adolescents selected through proportionate stratified sampling. Data were collected with the Knowledge of Risk Factors and Preventive Measures for Traumatic Dental Injuries Questionnaire (KRFPMTDIQ; Cronbach's alpha = .75) and analysed in IBM SPSS Statistics version 26 using frequencies, percentages, and chi-square tests at the .05 level. Respondents demonstrated strong recognition of common risk factors, although knowledge patterns varied by age and gender. Risk-factor knowledge was significantly associated with age (chi-square = 23.61, df = 3, p < .001) and gender (Yates-corrected chi-square = 28.51, df = 1, p < .001). Preventive-measure responses varied across age groups. The available aggregate dataset did not report preventive-measure frequencies by gender; therefore, no unsupported gender-specific preventive comparison was made. The Ondo State Ministry of Education, school authorities, and oral-health professionals should implement age-responsive school oral-health education and ensure that future monitoring captures gender-disaggregated preventive knowledge to correct identified gaps and strengthen preventive behaviour among adolescents.

The Role of Healthy Environment for Effective Physical Activities for Healthier Living

2026-10-17T13:20:17+00:00

Physical activity is a key health-seeking behavior that improves and promotes the well-being of individuals. The environment serves as the arena for physical activity participation, and it must be healthy and free from hazards. This paper explored the role of healthy environment for effective physical activity for promoting healthier living. The paper revealed that physical activity includes all forms of movement during leisure, transport, work, or domestic activities and those both moderate and vigorous activities enhance healthy outcomes. Regular participation is linked to improved physical fitness, cardio-metabolic and bone health, cognitive and mental outcomes, and reduced body fat across age groups. It also lowers the risk of mortality, cardiovascular diseases, cancers, diabetes, and pregnancy-related complications. A healthy environment supports positive physical activity behaviors, contributing to physical, mental, and social well-being. It was concluded, among others, that governments should design and maintain conducive environments for physical activity and recreation to improve public health and wellness.

Household Water Vending, Quality, Handling Practices, and Health Risk Perceptions among Households with Children Under Five in Owerri Municipal Council, Imo State, Nigeria

2026-10-17T13:10:15+00:00

The study examined household water vending, quality, handling practices and health risk perceptions among households with children under five in Owerri Municipal Council, Imo State, Nigeria. Five research questions and hypothesis guided the study.The study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional design. The target population comprises households with one child under the age of five years residing within Owerri Municipal Council. Mothers served as key respondents.A multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select a sample size of 422 respondents. A structured interviewer-administered questionnaire tilled (HWVQHPHRPQ) was used for data collection.Data were analysed using frequencies, percentages and means, and the hypothesis by chi-square and binary logistic regression at the 0.05 level. Result established that vending was dominated by hawkers, sachet-water producers, tanker suppliers and borehole kiosk operators, most unregistered (grand mean = 3.37). Reliance on vendors was driven by irregular public supply, decayed infrastructure and institutional failure rather than preference, with perceived safety ranked lowest (grand mean = 3.52). Respondents agreed that vendors store water under poor hygienic conditions (grand mean = 3.34), that vendor water contributes to diarrhoea, cholera and typhoid among children under five (grand mean = 3.50), and that water access is linked to their children's illness (grand mean = 3.19). Diarrhoea occurred in 38.0% of children without safe water against 20.9% of those with access, and the null hypothesis was rejected (χ² = 12.78, df = 1, p = 0.0004; OR = 2.31, 95% C.I. = 1.45–3.68). The study concluded that dependence on vending reflects constrained choice, not ignorance, and recommended shifting oversight from registration to point-of-sale inspection.

Maternal Age and Educational Attainment in Relation to Reported Full Immunization of Children Under Five Years in Owerri Municipality, Imo State, Nigeria

2026-10-17T13:03:04+00:00

Childhood immunization is a major public-health intervention for preventing vaccine-preventable diseases, yet vaccination gaps remain substantial in Nigeria. Maternal characteristics, particularly age and educational attainment, may influence children's access to and use of immunization services. This study examined the descriptive pattern of reported full immunization according to maternal age and educational attainment among mothers of nursery-school children in Owerri Municipality, Imo State, Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey design was adopted. The population comprised 9,713 mothers of nursery-school children, from whom 398 mothers were selected using clustered sampling. Data were collected using the researcher-developed Maternal Factors on the Immunization Status of Under-5 Nursery Children Questionnaire, which had a reliability coefficient of 0.84. Data were analysed using mean and standard deviation, with 2.50 as the criterion mean. Corrected maternal-age frequencies were used to reconcile an identified source discrepancy. Results revealed that mothers aged 21–25, 26–30, 31–35 and 36–40 years recorded mean scores of 2.79, 2.85, 2.85 and 2.85, respectively, while those aged 41–45 years recorded 1.73. The overall age mean was 2.61. Mothers with first-degree, postgraduate diploma, master's and doctoral qualifications recorded means of 3.33, 2.98, 3.03 and 2.67, respectively, compared with 1.66 among mothers with O-level education. The overall educational-attainment mean was 2.73. Reported full-immunization responses were generally favourable, except among mothers aged 41–45 years and those with O-level education. Primary healthcare providers and immunization programme managers should provide targeted, simplified immunization education and follow-up for mothers with less favourable response patterns, while nursery-school administrators should provide vaccination reminders and referral information. Community health workers should provide age-responsive counselling for mothers to strengthen timely vaccination.

Demographic Predictors and Preventive Strategies of Depression Severity among Undergraduates of Tertiary Institutions in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria

2026-10-17T12:55:49+00:00

Depressive symptoms are an important mental health concern among undergraduates. This study examined selected demographic predictors of depression severity and assessed expert-rated preventive strategies among undergraduates of tertiary institutions in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Nigeria. A correlational research design was used. From a population of 12,578 undergraduate students, 408 were selected through multistage sampling and 390 completed questionnaires were suitable for analysis, giving a 95.6% usable response rate. Data were collected using a researcher-adapted demographic questionnaire, the nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), and a six-item Preventive Strategies of Depression Severity Questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, point-biserial correlation, multiple linear regression, means, and standard deviations were used. Depression severity was weakly positively related to age (rpb = .245) and year of study (rpb = .124), and weakly negatively related to gender (rpb = −.140) and living arrangement (rpb = −.117). The regression model was significant, F(5, 384) = 2.48, p = .031, but explained only 3.1% of the variance. Year of study was the only significant individual predictor (β = .120, p = .023). All six preventive strategies were rated appropriate by experts (M = 3.40, SD = 0.64), with mental health screening receiving the highest rating. Tertiary institutions should implement confidential screening, early identification, stigma-reduction education, psychological support, and referral pathways for undergraduate students, particularly those experiencing elevated symptoms or academic and transition-related stress.

Creating Supportive Environments for Positive Mental Health and Well-being Across the Lifespan

2026-10-17T12:49:53+00:00

Positive mental health remains a critical determinant of individual and societal well-being, requiring supportive environment that foster resilience, adaptation, and positive functioning. This paper examined the contributions of nurses in creating supportive environments that promotes positive mental health and well-being across the life span.Positive mental health is a vital aspect of health and overall human well-being, encompassing emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It is the pivot upon which effective functioning, personal growth, resilient system and healthy nations revolves. Therefore the importance of developing and maintaining positive mental health across the life span cannot be overemphasized..This paper adopted narrative review of relevant literature on mental health, supportive environment, nursing practice and health promotion. Evidence suggests that nurses contribute significantly throughhealth education, counseling, advocacy, patient-centered care, rehabilitation, health promotion, disease prevention, and psychosocial support from preconception to end-of-life care. Nurses play indispensable rolesin fostering supportive environment that enhance positive mental health and overall well-being. However, investment in nursing education and recognition of nursing contributions should be strengthened to improve positive mental health across the life span.

Health Literacy and Educational Strategies for Promoting Proactive Personal and Community Health in Rivers State

2026-10-12T12:16:16+00:00

Health literacy is an essential determinant of population health because it influences individuals’ and communities’ capacity to access, understand, evaluate, and apply health information for appropriate health decisions and preventive action. This paper examines health literacy and educational strategies for promoting proactive personal and community health in Rivers State, Nigeria. The conceptual foundation shows that health literacy extends beyond basic reading ability to include functional, interactive, critical, and digital competencies required for effective health decision-making. The current health context in Rivers State indicates persistent communicable diseases, maternal and child health concerns, emerging non-communicable disease risks, environmental challenges, and disparities in access to understandable health information and healthcare services. Major challenges include socioeconomic inequalities, cultural beliefs and misconceptions, language barriers, the digital divide and health misinformation, weak health communication systems, and policy and funding constraints. Proactive personal and community health is presented as a preventive approach involving healthy lifestyles, early detection, informed decision-making, appropriate healthcare utilization, community participation, sanitation, disease prevention, and collective health action. The paper identifies school-based health education, community health education, healthcare provider-led education, digital and social media interventions, faith-based and workplace programmes, and peer education and community engagement as complementary strategies for strengthening health literacy. The policy and practice implications emphasize shared responsibilities among government, educational institutions, healthcare professionals, NGOs, media organisations, and cProactive health behaviourommunity leaders. The paper concludes that sustainable improvement in health literacy in Rivers State requires coordinated, culturally responsive, accessible, and adequately funded interventions that transform health information into informed personal behaviour and collective community action.

Fathers in the Shadows: The Systemic Neglect of Paternal Mental Health in Perinatal Care

2026-10-12T14:43:01+00:00

Paternal perinatal mental health is an emerging but often neglected aspect of family well-being. While maternal mental health has historically received substantial attention, fathers also face significant emotional and psychological challenges during pregnancy and the first year after childbirth. Despite this, healthcare systems, policies, and research remain predominantly mothercentred, leaving fathers invisible within perinatal care. The paper argues that paternal mental health matters because of its profound impact on maternal recovery, child development, family stability, and wider social outcomes. Yet systemic neglect reflected in healthcare guidelines, policy gaps, research bias, and clinical practices perpetuates fathers’ exclusion. Cultural and structural barriers, including stigma tied to masculinity norms, limited involvement of fathers in perinatal care, low provider awareness, and weak health infrastructure, further constrain recognition and support. To address these gaps, the paper makes a case for family-centred perinatal care in Nigeria. This includes screening fathers alongside mothers, training health workers to engage men, designing culturally inclusive interventions, and embedding paternal mental health into national health policies. A call to action emphasizes the role of health education in policy reform, clinical practice, future research, and community-level change to bring fathers out of the shadows. In conclusion, the paper emphasises that promoting paternal mental health is not optional but a public health imperative. Among others, it was recommended that government and policy makers should integrate paternal perinatal mental health into Nigeria’s national reproductive and maternal health policies by mandating screening and support services for fathers alongside mothers in all healthcare facilities.

Safety Practices among Quarry Workers in Izzi Local Government Area, Ebonyi State, Nigeria

2026-10-12T15:03:00+00:00

Quarry industries have been recognized as one of the workplaces with the highest rates of workrelated illnesses and injuries among all the occupational categories globally. Workers are exposed to potential hazards like inhaling of dust and they are prone to accidents such as burns, finger cuts, fractures, nose bleeds, fainting, shocks, scalds, gassing, and suffocation.The study assessed safety practices among quarry workers in Izzi Local Government Area (LGA), Ebonyi State. Three research questions and two null hypotheses guided the study. A cross-sectional survey research design was adopted. The population of this study comprised all the 274 quarry workers in Izzi LGA and all participated in the study. A self- developed Safety Practices Questionnaire (SPQ) was used for data collection.Mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions, while t-test and One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) statistics were used to test the hypotheses at 0.05 alpha level.Results revealed that quarry workers in Izzi LGA had poor safety practices (2.11± 0.24). Male (2.08± 0.23) and female (2.15±0.25) quarry workers had poor safety practices. Quarry workers with noformal education (2.04± 0.24), Primary Education (2.11±0.28), Secondary Education (2.19±0.18) and Tertiary Education (2.16±0.19) in Izzi Local Government Area had low safety practices in Ebonyi State. Furthermore, when demographic variables were compared, there were significant differences in the level of safety practices among quarry workers in Izzi LGA, Ebonyi State based on gender (p=0.027) and education level (p= 0.002). The study concludes that safety practices among quarry workers were poor, necessitating improved occupational safety measures. Poor safety practices might lead to higher health issues. However, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in collaboration with Health Educators should organize seminar/workshops for quarry workers to create awareness on occupational safety practices in quarry industries.

Menstrual Hygiene Awareness, Beliefs, and Attitudes towards Menstruation among Female Secondary School Students in Rural Communities of Udenu Local Government Area, Enugu State, Nigeria

2026-10-12T15:14:08+00:00

Menstrual hygiene awareness plays an important role in shaping adolescents 'beliefs and attitudes toward menstruation, particularly in rural communities where misconceptions and cultural taboos remain prevalent. The study assessed menstrual hygiene awareness, beliefs, and attitudes towards menstruation among female secondary school students in rural communities of Udenu Local Government Area, Enugu State, Nigeria. The study was guided by the three specific objectives and three null hypotheses. A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was adopted. Population for the study comprised of 2,421 female secondary school students from the 16secondary schools in Udenu Local Government Area, Enugu State. The sample for the study was 369 female secondary school students, selected through simple random sampling technique. Aself- developed Menstrual Hygiene Awareness, Belief and Attitude toward Menstruation Questionnaire (MHABAMQ) was used for data collection. Data were analysed using frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation to answer the research questions, while Chi-square and t-test statistics were used to test the hypotheses at the 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed that the respondents had a moderate level of menstrual hygiene awareness and a moderate level of negative beliefs regarding menstruation. The respondents demonstrated a positive attitude toward menstruation. There is no significant difference in the menstrual hygiene awareness possessed by female secondary school students in Udenu LGA, Enugu State based on class level, there is significant difference in the belief and attitude toward menstruation n possessed by female secondary school students in Udenu LGA, Enugu State based on class level, Hence, the study concludes that although the respondents demonstrated moderate menstrual hygiene awareness, positive attitudes, misconceptions and cultural beliefs surrounding menstruation persist among female secondary school students. The authors recommends among others that ministry of education, school authorities should strengthening school-based menstrual health education programmes to improve menstrual hygiene awareness, dispel misconceptions, and promote positive beliefs and attitudes toward menstruation.

Food Safety and Hygiene Practices among Food Vendors in Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education, Owerri, Imo State Nigeria

2026-10-12T15:37:55+00:00

This study investigated food safety and hygiene practices among food vendors in Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education, Owerri, Imo State Nigeria. The study employed a descriptive cross-sectional survey design. The population of the study consisted of all the 143 registered food vendors in Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education, Owerri. An adapted instrument from similar past studies was used as the instrument for data collection. The instrument was distributed on face-to face basis to only 138 vendors who declared interest after their consent was sought and gained. All the 138 copies of the instrument were returned but only 135 well filled copies were used for the study. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistic of frequency and percentage while inferential statistics of chi-square was used to test the hypothesis at 0.05 level of significance. The result revealed poor for safety and hygiene practices before food preparation and during preparation but moderate food safety and hygiene practices during food service among food vendors. The findings also revealed that education has an influence on food safety and hygiene practices among food vendors. It was recommended among others, that consultancy department in-charge of food business establishments within the institution should frequently supervise the hygienic condition under which food vendors operate during food preparation and serving. Also, that health educators should organize seminars and workshops periodically, to sanitize food vendors and the general public on the importance of food safety and hygiene practices in eradicating food borne illnesses.

Creating a Supportive Secondary School Environment for Mental Health Awareness for Sustainable wellbeing of Students

2026-10-12T15:47:20+00:00

Mental health refers to a person's emotional, psychological, and social well-being. Mental health is more than the absence of mental disorders it also involves a person's ability to cope with life's stresses, to build and maintain relationships, and to live a fulfilling life. Mental health is a critical component of overall well-being, especially among adolescents who face numerous psychological, social, and academic pressures. Mental health awareness is essential for early identification and management of mental health challenges such as depression, anxiety, psychosis, and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. In recent years, there has been growing recognition worldwide of the importance of mental health education and awareness, particularly in school settings where adolescents spend a significant portion of their time. In Nigeria, mental health issues often go unnoticed due to limited awareness and stigma surrounding mental illness. This lack of awareness may contribute to poor academic performance, social withdrawal, and increased vulnerability to risky behaviours. Understanding the level of mental health awareness across all ages is vital to informing policies, intervention programs, and educational curricula aimed at improving mental health outcomes. This paper x-rayed how supportive school environment can inculcate mental health awareness for the sustenance of health and wellbeing.The paper concluded that, the sustainable wellbeing of students depends on a holistic and compassionate approach that values mental health as much as academic success. In conclusion a supportive school environment serves as a protective factor that enhances students’ resilience and overall wellbeing. By promoting mental health awareness, ensuring access to support resources, and fostering a culture of empathy and inclusion, schools create conditions that enable students to achieve positive academic, social, and personal outcomes.

Prevalence and Association of Peer Pressure and Media Influence with Peer Victimization and Intervention Strategies among In-School Adolescents in Imo State, Nigeria

2026-10-12T15:53:17+00:00

Peer victimization is an important adolescent public health concern associated with adverse psychological, social, and educational outcomes. Evidence from Imo State, Nigeria, remains limited. This study determined the prevalence of peer victimization, examined its associations with peer pressure and media influence and formulate intervention strategies among in-school adolescents in Imo State, Nigeria. The study population comprised 975,000 in-school adolescents in Imo State. A concurrent triangulation mixed methods approach was adopted. The sample size was 3,042, comprising 2,940 drawn through multi-stage sampling procedure for quantitative data collection, 72 drawn using convenience sampling for qualitative data collection, and 30 experts that indicated the developed strategies appropriate. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire incorporating the Multidimensional Peer-Victimization Scale, an 8-item Peer Pressure Questionnaire, and a 9-item Media Influence Scale, while In-depth Interview Guide was used for qualitative data collection. Data were analysed using frequencies, percentages, chisquare tests, and multivariable logistic regression at 0.05 significance level. Results showed that peer victimization was reported by 2,022 (68.8%) respondents. Higher peer pressure and media influence were reported by 23.2% and 25.3% of respondents, respectively. Peer pressure was significantly associated with peer victimization at the bivariate level (p = .019). However, after adjustment, neither higher peer pressure (AOR = 1.072, p = .507) nor higher media influence (AOR = 0.845, p = .106) was significantly associated with peer victimization. Academic class, school type, school location, and parental income were independently associated with victimization. Peer victimization was highly prevalent among the surveyed adolescents. School authorities should implement targeted peer victimization prevention programmes for in-school adolescents to promote safer and more supportive school environments.