Research Article

Level of Health Educational Exposure on Non-Communicable Diseases among Residents in Rivers South-East Senatorial District, Nigeria

Abstract

This study assessed the level of Health educational exposure on non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among residents of Rivers South-East Senatorial District, Nigeria. A quantitative cross-sectional survey design was adopted, involving 386 respondents aged 40 years and above across seven Local Government Areas. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analysed using frequencies, percentages and Pearson’s chi-square test. The findings reveal that respondents had a mean age of 50.2 ± 9.5 years, with the largest proportion aged 40–49 years (50.7%). Females constituted 52.8% of the respondents, 64.2% were married, 40.4% had secondary education, and 59.1% were employed. Regarding educational exposure, 62.2% of respondents were classified as having high exposure to health education on NCDs, while 37.8% had low exposure. High exposure was relatively consistent across age groups, sex, marital status, educational attainment and employment status. However, no statistically significant association was found between the level of educational exposure and any of the socio-demographic characteristics examined. Findings of the study further revealed that community health outreach was the most frequently reported source of NCD-related health education (65.4%), followed by primary health centres (54.2%) and community meetings (46.8%). The findings indicate that health education has reached a considerable proportion of residents, although substantial gaps in exposure remain. The study recommends an increase in the regular occurrence of community health education sessions by government and health organizations to enhance health educational exposure and improved knowledge retention amongst community members. 

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.
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.

How To Cite: H.E. Ubojiekere, B.J. Fubara, Q.D. Atuzie, S.G. Kitoye, and A.I. Wegbom. Level of Health Educational Exposure on Non Communicable Diseases among Residents in Rivers South-East Senatorial District, Nigeria. Journal of Public Health and Environmental Research, 2(2):97–105, 2026. https://doi.org/10.58612/jpher2211