EMPOWERING WOMEN THROUGH HEALTH EDUCATION PROGRAMME FOR SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT IN IMO STATE.

Abstract

The study examined women empowerment through a health education programme for sustainable community development in Imo State. The wealth of a nation is attributed majorly to its quality health among her citizens, which translates to “health is wealth”. Women health is a critical area of concern that requires adequate attention for the survival of every nation. One research question and one hypothesis guided the study. The study adopted a descriptive survey design with a population of 969 women participants in twenty (20) women empowerment centres in the study area. A proportionate sampling technique was used in selecting 524 respondents as the sample size, with a self-structured questionnaire titled “Empowering Women through Health Education Programme for Sustainable Community Development Questionnaire” (EWTHEPSCDQ). The statistical tools used for data analysis were mean, and z-test. The findings of the study revealed that a health education programme has enabled women to adequately maintain good sanitation, improved their knowledge on maternal mortality, helped them to build their family’s nutrition and increased their awareness of disease prevention and related health issues. The findings also revealed that health education has encouraged women to use obtainable resources for good health in Orsu LGA of Imo State. The study recommended that women should be equipped with comprehensive health education/training at different levels of government and non-governmental sectors, and be allowed to lead health campaigns aimed towards overcoming sociocultural, socio-economic, psychosocial, and public health factors militating against the attainment of sustainable and healthy living among women.