Research Article

Influence of Health Education Programs on the Prevention and Management of Non-Communicable Diseases in Rivers South-East Senatorial District, Nigeria

Abstract

Health education is an important public health strategy for promoting healthy lifestyles, preventing noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), and supporting the effective management of existing conditions. However, exposure to health information does not always translate into consistent preventive behaviours or appropriate disease-management practices. This study assessed the influence of health education programmes on the prevention and management of NCDs among residents of Rivers South-East Senatorial District, Rivers State, Nigeria, with particular emphasis on health education exposure, preventive and management practices, and their association. A cross-sectional study design was adopted among 386 residents aged 30 years and above across the seven Local Government Areas in the senatorial district. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analysed using descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression to examine the relationship between health education exposure and NCD prevention and management practices. The findings revealed that 62.2% of respondents had high exposure to health education on NCDs, while 37.8% had low exposure.  Community health outreach was the most frequently reported source of health education, followed by primary health centres and community meetings. Despite the relatively high level of educational exposure, gaps remained in the adoption of recommended preventive and management practices. Overall, 51.8% of respondents demonstrated positive prevention and management practices, while 48.2% had poor practices. Regular adherence to prescribed medication was the most frequently reported practice (65.3%), followed by limiting alcohol intake (57.0%) and attending follow-up clinic visits (54.4%). In contrast, daily consumption of fruits and vegetables (46.6%), regular physical exercise (42.7%) and routine health screening (45.3%) were less frequently reported. Higher exposure to community-based health education was significantly associated with better overall NCD prevention and management practices after adjustment for selected socio-demographic characteristics. However, the associations between health education exposure and individual practices, including medication adherence, dietary practices, physical activity, follow-up clinic attendance and routine screening, were not statistically significant. These findings suggest that although health education reached a substantial proportion of residents, important gaps persisted in translating educational exposure into specific preventive and management behaviours. The study concludes that health education is associated with more favourable overall NCD prevention and management practices, although the cross-sectional design does not establish causality. It is recommended that health education programmes be strengthened through regular and accessible health education, practical lifestyle counselling, routine screening, referral services and sustained support for individuals living with NCDs. 

Authors affiliation:

Henrietta Elechi Ubojiekere (ORCID): Department of Public Health, Rivers State University, Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
Boma Judith Fubara: Department of Public Health, Rivers State University, Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
Salome Amarachi Ike-Wegbom (ORCID): Department of Public Health, Rivers State University, Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
Queen Desmond Atuzie (ORCID): Department of Public Health, Rivers State University, Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
Anthony Ike Wegbom (ORCID): Department of Public Health, Rivers State University, Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
Samuel Gentle Kitoye (ORCID): Department of Human Kinetic Health and Safety, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Rivers State, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

How To Cite: H.E. Ubojiekere, B.J. Fubara, S.A. Ike-Wegbom, Q.D. Atuzie, A.I. Wegbom, and S.G. Kitoye. Influence of Health Education Programs on the Prevention and Management of Non-Communicable Diseases in Rivers South-East Senatorial District, Nigeria. Journal of Public Health and Environmental Research, 2(2):88–96, 2026. https://doi.org/10.58612/jpher2210