Role of Community Health Workers in Promoting Maternal Health Education in Rural Benue State

Maternal mortality rates in North Central Nigeria remain disproportionately high, with inadequate access to skilled birth attendants and low utilisation of antenatal care services among rural women. This study investigated the role of community health workers in promoting maternal health education in rural communities of Benue State. A descriptive survey design was employed, with 290 pregnant and recently delivered women selected from rural health facilities in Gwer West, Logo, and Ushongo local government areas. Structured interviewer-administered questionnaires and focused group discussions were used for data collection. Findings revealed that community health workers played a pivotal role in increasing awareness of antenatal care, danger signs in pregnancy, and the importance of skilled delivery attendance. Women who had received health education from community health workers were 2.7 times more likely to attend at least four antenatal visits compared to those who had not. However, shortages of trained community health workers, inadequate logistics support, and geographic isolation remained significant structural barriers. The study recommended that the Benue State Ministry of Health scale up community health worker deployment in underserved rural communities and provide regular in-service training on maternal health communication strategies. Keywords: community health workers, maternal health education, antenatal care, Benue State, rural communities