Evaluation of Community Health Education Campaigns on Diarrhoea Management in Jigawa State

Diarrhoeal diseases remain among the leading causes of death in children under five years across northern Nigeria, where access to clean water and sanitation is limited. This study evaluated the effectiveness of community health education campaigns on diarrhoea management practices among caregivers in Jigawa State, North West Nigeria. A pre-test and post-test evaluation design was used, involving 220 mothers and caregivers of children under five selected from communities in Hadejia, Kafin Hausa, and Ringim local government areas. Data were collected at baseline and four weeks after a structured health education intervention that covered oral rehydration therapy preparation, hand hygiene, food safety, and early recognition of dehydration symptoms. Findings showed a significant increase in knowledge of oral rehydration therapy preparation (from 31 percent to 76 percent) and improvement in demonstrated handwashing behaviour post-intervention. Caregivers who received health education from female community health workers showed greater uptake due to cultural acceptability. The study recommended sustained and culturally adapted health education campaigns targeting women in rural Jigawa, with strong community health worker involvement. Keywords: diarrhoea management, community health education, caregivers, Jigawa State, child health