Assessment of Environmental Health Education Programs in Primary Healthcare Centers in Kwara State, North Central Nigeria

Primary healthcare centers serve as frontline platforms for environmental health promotion and disease prevention in Nigerian communities. This study assessed the design, implementation, and outcomes of environmental health education programs in thirty primary healthcare centers in Kwara State, North Central Nigeria. A structured survey instrument was administered to environmental health officers and community health extension workers at each facility. Program documentation, including lesson plans, activity records, and attendance registers, was reviewed. Beneficiary household surveys were conducted in the catchment areas of twelve selected centers to evaluate the impact of health education on community knowledge and behavior. Results revealed that only fifty-seven percent of assessed centers had documented environmental health education plans, and program implementation was limited to irregular outreach visits in the majority of facilities. Visual aids and communication materials were available in only forty-one percent of centers and were rated outdated in most instances. Health topics addressed most frequently included malaria prevention, diarrhea control, and immunization, while solid waste management, water safety, and housing hygiene were rarely covered. Beneficiary households in catchment areas of active health education programs demonstrated significantly better environmental health practices compared to households in inactive program catchment areas. The study recommends development of standardized environmental health education modules for PHC settings, increased training of community health workers, and routine program monitoring and evaluation in Kwara State. Keywords: health education, primary healthcare, environmental health, Kwara State, behavior change.