An Analytical Study of the Effect of Community Health Volunteer Programmes on Child Health Outcomes in Jigawa State

Community health volunteer programmes are a core component of the primary healthcare system in Nigeria, and their specific contribution to child health outcomes in under-served north-western communities requires analytical documentation to inform programme investment decisions. This study analytically examined the effect of a community health volunteer programme on child health outcomes in Jigawa State, North West Nigeria. A cross-sectional analytical design comparing child health outcomes between communities with and without active CVP programmes was adopted. Data were collected from 480 households in 16 communities (eight with and eight without active CVP programmes) in Hadejia, Gumel, and Ringim LGAs through structured household surveys. Outcomes assessed were full immunisation coverage, under-five diarrhoea prevalence (two-week period), exclusive breastfeeding continuation to six months, and growth monitoring attendance regularity. Propensity score matching on observable confounders was used to improve comparability. Results showed significantly better outcomes across all four child health indicators in CVP communities compared to non-CVP communities after propensity score matching. Full immunisation coverage was 24.6 percentage points higher in CVP communities (p < 0.001), and diarrhoea prevalence was 8.4 percentage points lower (p < 0.01). Exclusive breastfeeding continuation was 18.3 percentage points higher (p < 0.001). Programme intensity (volunteer activity days per month) was positively associated with outcome magnitude. The study provides analytical evidence supporting CVP investment in Jigawa State and recommends standardised volunteer activity monitoring as a programme accountability mechanism. Keywords: community health volunteers, child health outcomes, Jigawa State, community programme, North West Nigeria