ASSESSMENT OF HEALTH EDUCATION ROLES IN PROMOTING MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH IN ETHIOPE EAST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF DELTA STATE
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ASSESSMENT OF HEALTH EDUCATION ROLES IN PROMOTING MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH IN ETHIOPE EAST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF DELTA STATE
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
Maternal and child health (MCH) remains a critical public health priority globally, especially in developing countries where maternal and child morbidity and mortality rates remain high (World Health Organization, 2022). Nigeria accounts for one of the highest maternal mortality ratios in the world, estimated at 512 deaths per 100,000 live births (National Demographic and Health Survey [NDHS], 2018). These statistics highlight significant gaps in health knowledge, access, and utilization of MCH services. Health education is widely recognized as a fundamental tool for improving maternal and child health outcomes by promoting positive health behaviors, improving service utilization, and empowering women with the knowledge required for safe motherhood (Olawepo & Okafor, 2021).
Health education plays an essential role in preventing pregnancy-related risks, promoting antenatal care attendance, encouraging facility-based deliveries, enhancing immunization uptake, and improving child feeding practices such as exclusive breastfeeding (Adeyemi & Abimbola, 2020). In rural and semi-urban areas like Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State, cultural beliefs, limited access to information, poverty, and low literacy levels often hinder the adoption of healthy maternal and child care practices (Edewor, 2021). Consequently, health education interventions delivered through community health workers, nurses, traditional birth attendants, and public health campaigns have become indispensable in bridging the knowledge gap.
Studies have shown that effective health education significantly reduces maternal mortality by increasing timely antenatal visits, improving skilled birth attendance, and enhancing postpartum care compliance (Afolabi et al., 2019). Health education also improves child survival through better immunization adherence, enhanced nutritional practices, and improved hygiene behaviors (UNICEF, 2020). However, despite these known benefits, the extent to which health education roles are effectively carried out and their impact on maternal and child health in Ethiope East LGA remains underexplored.
This study therefore assesses the role of health education in promoting maternal and child health in Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Despite numerous public health interventions, Nigeria continues to face persistent challenges in reducing maternal and child mortality. Limited awareness about danger signs in pregnancy, inadequate knowledge of antenatal care, poor breastfeeding practices, and low child immunization rates contribute significantly to negative MCH outcomes (NDHS, 2018; WHO, 2021). In Ethiope East LGA, anecdotal evidence and local health reports indicate that many women still depend on traditional birth attendants and may lack access to accurate health information regarding safe motherhood practices (Edewor, 2021).
Although health education is designed to address these gaps, its implementation in local communities is often constrained by shortages of trained personnel, cultural resistance, poor outreach strategies, and limited community engagement (Okojie & Eze, 2020). The extent to which health education roles—such as awareness creation, behavioral change communication, counselling, and community mobilization—are effectively carried out in this LGA is unclear. This creates a critical need to assess how health education is influencing maternal and child health outcomes in the area.
1.3 Objectives of the Study
The main objective of the study is to assess the role of health education in promoting maternal and child health in Ethiope East LGA of Delta State.
The specific objectives are to:
Assess the level of health education provided to mothers in the LGA.
Examine the influence of health education on maternal health practices such as antenatal care and safe delivery.
Determine the effect of health education on child health practices such as immunization and breastfeeding.
Identify the challenges limiting effective health education delivery in the area.
1.4 Research Questions
What is the level of health education provided to mothers in Ethiope East LGA?
How does health education influence maternal health practices in the area?
What effect does health education have on child health practices?
What challenges affect the effective delivery of health education in the LGA?
1.5 Hypotheses
H₁: There is a significant relationship between health education and maternal health practices in Ethiope East LGA.
H₂: There is a significant relationship between health education and child health practices in Ethiope East LGA.
1.6 Significance of the Study
This study is significant for several reasons. First, it will provide empirical evidence on the effectiveness of health education in improving maternal and child health outcomes in Ethiope East LGA. Health educators and public health personnel will benefit from understanding gaps in their current practices and identifying areas for improvement. The findings will also help policymakers design more effective, community-based health education programs that address local needs (UNICEF, 2020). In addition, the study will contribute to academic literature on maternal and child health, providing a reference for future research.
1.7 Scope of the Study
The study focuses on health education roles in promoting maternal and child health in Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State. It covers maternal health components such as antenatal care, delivery practices, and postpartum care, as well as child health components including immunization, breastfeeding, and nutrition. Geographically, the study is limited to selected communities within the LGA, and respondents are primarily mothers, health educators, and health workers.
1.8 Operational Definition of Terms
Health Education: Organized learning experiences aimed at improving individuals’ health knowledge and influencing health behaviors (Olawepo & Okafor, 2021).
Maternal Health: Health of women during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum periods (WHO, 2022).
Child Health: Physical, mental, and social well-being of children from birth through early childhood (UNICEF, 2020).
Complementary Feeding Practices: Nutritional practices for children aged 6–24 months alongside breastfeeding (Adeyemi & Abimbola, 2020).
Ethiope East LGA: A local government area in Delta State, Nigeria, serving as the geographical focus of the study.
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