Competency Gaps in Health Education Practice Among Community Health Extension Workers in Niger State

Community health extension workers are frontline health educators in primary healthcare delivery across Nigeria, and their competency directly impacts the quality of health education provided at the grassroots level. This study assessed competency gaps in health education practice among community health extension workers in Niger State, North Central Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey design was used, with 160 community health extension workers sampled from primary healthcare centres in Minna, Mokwa, and Lapai local government areas. A structured competency assessment questionnaire adapted from the Society for Public Health Education competency framework was used. Descriptive statistics and Pearson's chi-square tests were applied. Findings revealed significant competency gaps in the areas of programme planning, health communication, advocacy, and use of digital health education tools. Only 28 percent of respondents had received formal in-service training in health education in the preceding two years. Educational qualification was significantly associated with overall competency scores. The study recommended a competency-based continuing education framework for community health extension workers in Niger State, delivered through the State Primary Health Care Development Agency with support from academic health education institutions. Keywords: competency gaps, health education, community health extension workers, Niger State, primary healthcare