Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Environmental Health Interventions for Malaria and Diarrheal Disease Prevention in Public Girls’ Secondary Schools in Enugu State, Nigeria
1
Medicine and Surgery, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria
2
Community Medicine, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Malaria and diarrheal diseases remain leading causes of morbidity among school-aged children in Nigeria. Environmental health interventions and school-based health campaigns are critical preventive strategies, yet their awareness and practical uptake within school settings are not well characterized. This study assessed knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to environmental managers and health campaigns among students and teachers in public girls’ secondary schools in Enugu South Local Government Area, Enugu State.
METHODS:
A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among 759 students and 55 teachers selected from public girls’ secondary schools using a multistage sampling technique. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed with the IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, version 25.0. Associations were tested using the Pearson chi-square test, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Ethical approval was obtained from the Ethics Committee of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku-Ozalla.
RESULTS:
Most students (89.7%) and teachers (87.3%) correctly identified mosquito bites as the cause of malaria. However, regular boiling of drinking water was reported by only 42.3% of students and 40.0% of teachers. Good knowledge of environmental managers and health campaigns was observed among 52.3% of students and 65.5% of teachers, although fewer respondents reported witnessing their practical application. Positive attitudes toward environmental health interventions were recorded among 80.5% of students and 94.5% of teachers. Knowledge was significantly associated with attitude among students, but not among teachers. Age, class level, and subject taught showed significant associations with attitude.
CONCLUSIONS:
Despite high awareness and favorable attitudes, practical engagement with environmental health interventions remains limited within schools. Strengthening the frequency, visibility, and contextual relevance of school-based health campaigns, alongside active participation of both students and teachers, may enhance the effectiveness of environmental strategies for preventing malaria and diarrheal diseases.
Malaria and diarrheal diseases remain leading causes of morbidity among school-aged children in Nigeria. Environmental health interventions and school-based health campaigns are critical preventive strategies, yet their awareness and practical uptake within school settings are not well characterized. This study assessed knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to environmental managers and health campaigns among students and teachers in public girls’ secondary schools in Enugu South Local Government Area, Enugu State.
METHODS:
A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among 759 students and 55 teachers selected from public girls’ secondary schools using a multistage sampling technique. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed with the IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, version 25.0. Associations were tested using the Pearson chi-square test, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Ethical approval was obtained from the Ethics Committee of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku-Ozalla.
RESULTS:
Most students (89.7%) and teachers (87.3%) correctly identified mosquito bites as the cause of malaria. However, regular boiling of drinking water was reported by only 42.3% of students and 40.0% of teachers. Good knowledge of environmental managers and health campaigns was observed among 52.3% of students and 65.5% of teachers, although fewer respondents reported witnessing their practical application. Positive attitudes toward environmental health interventions were recorded among 80.5% of students and 94.5% of teachers. Knowledge was significantly associated with attitude among students, but not among teachers. Age, class level, and subject taught showed significant associations with attitude.
CONCLUSIONS:
Despite high awareness and favorable attitudes, practical engagement with environmental health interventions remains limited within schools. Strengthening the frequency, visibility, and contextual relevance of school-based health campaigns, alongside active participation of both students and teachers, may enhance the effectiveness of environmental strategies for preventing malaria and diarrheal diseases.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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