Health Education Needs Assessment for Non-Communicable Disease Prevention in Urban Slum Communities in Lagos State

Urban slum residents in Lagos State face disproportionate non-communicable disease risks driven by poverty, food insecurity, environmental exposures, and inadequate access to preventive health education. This study conducted a comprehensive health education needs assessment for non-communicable disease prevention in urban slum communities in Lagos State, South West Nigeria. A sequential mixed methods design was employed, with 340 adults recruited from three slum communities in Ajegunle, Makoko, and Mushin local government areas. Structured questionnaires were used to assess disease burden, health knowledge, risk behaviours, and information gaps. Participatory needs assessment exercises and qualitative interviews supplemented quantitative data. Results identified hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and chronic respiratory disease as the primary non-communicable conditions affecting slum residents. The most critical health education needs were identified as physical activity promotion, dietary behaviour change, alcohol and tobacco use reduction, and blood pressure awareness. Preferred health education delivery channels included community town halls, mobile health vans, and WhatsApp community groups. The study recommends a community-co-designed health education programme for urban slum communities in Lagos, anchored in participatory health education principles. Keywords: needs assessment, non-communicable diseases, urban slums, Lagos State, health education