KNOWLEDGE OF THE CAUSES AND EFFECT OF CHILD KILLER DISEASES AMONG NURSING MOTHERS IN OGOJA AREA, CROSS RIVER STATE

This study assessed nursing mothers’ knowledge of the causes and effects of childhood killer diseases in the Ogoja area of Cross River State, Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey research design was adopted. Data were collected from 133 nursing mothers in the study area using a structured questionnaire. The information obtained was analysed with the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), version 27, while the t-test was applied to examine the formulated hypotheses. The study focused on determining the extent of nursing mothers’ knowledge of the causes and effects of childhood killer diseases and identifying the factors that influence their understanding and healthcare-seeking practices.

The findings showed that a considerable proportion of nursing mothers in Ogoja had a basic understanding of childhood killer diseases, particularly their causes and possible consequences for children’s health and development. Nevertheless, certain knowledge deficiencies were identified, as some mothers lacked adequate information or were uncertain about important aspects of these diseases. The study further established that cultural beliefs and traditional practices influenced mothers’ perceptions and healthcare-seeking decisions. Access to health information provided by healthcare professionals was also identified as an important determinant of maternal knowledge. Mothers who received regular health education demonstrated a better understanding of childhood killer diseases. The t-test findings indicated a statistically significant relationship between nursing mothers’ knowledge and their perceptions of the prevalence and effects of these diseases. Similarly, educational attainment and socioeconomic background were found to significantly influence maternal knowledge, with mothers who had higher educational qualifications and better socioeconomic circumstances demonstrating greater awareness.

The study concluded that although nursing mothers in Ogoja possessed some knowledge of childhood killer diseases, considerable gaps remained that required attention through targeted health education programmes. It recommended that healthcare professionals strengthen the provision of accessible, accurate, and effective health information, particularly in rural communities, to improve maternal knowledge and encourage appropriate healthcare-seeking practices. The study emphasised that maternal knowledge is essential to the prevention and effective management of childhood killer diseases. It therefore highlighted the importance of continuous health education, community participation, and supportive policy interventions in promoting maternal awareness and improving child health practices. The findings are expected to provide useful information for policymakers, healthcare professionals, and researchers interested in improving maternal and child health outcomes in Nigeria.

CHAPTER ONE

1.1 Background to the Study

Childhood killer diseases continue to constitute a major public health challenge, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where they remain among the leading causes of mortality in children below five years of age. Conditions such as measles, malaria, pneumonia, diarrhoea, and malnutrition account for millions of childhood deaths annually. Although considerable progress has been made globally in healthcare delivery, Nigeria continues to experience high rates of child mortality, with preventable illnesses contributing substantially to these deaths. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that more than five million children die annually from these diseases, with a significant proportion of the deaths occurring in sub-Saharan Africa (Adeloye et al., 2017). This situation is further worsened by inadequate access to healthcare facilities, low immunization coverage, and insufficient health education, all of which contribute to the continued occurrence of preventable childhood deaths across the region.

Nursing mothers, as the primary caregivers of young children, have an important responsibility in promoting child health and survival. Their understanding of the causes, symptoms, prevention, and treatment of childhood killer diseases can significantly influence the health and well-being of their children. Abdulraheem et al. (2023) observed that mothers who possess adequate information about childhood diseases are more likely to seek medical attention promptly, adopt appropriate preventive practices, and ensure that their children receive recommended immunizations. However, mothers in many rural communities, including Ogoja in Cross River State, encounter several challenges that limit their ability to protect their children from these diseases. Inadequate access to healthcare services and limited formal health education can increase children's vulnerability to preventable illnesses.

In rural communities such as Ogoja, challenges including restricted access to medical facilities, low levels of maternal education, and certain cultural practices can increase the risks associated with childhood killer diseases. Abidoye and Odeyemi (2023) reported that mothers in rural areas frequently encounter inadequate healthcare infrastructure, making it difficult for them to obtain timely and appropriate medical attention for their children. Furthermore, some traditional beliefs and cultural practices may conflict with established medical recommendations, resulting in delayed healthcare-seeking decisions or the preference for traditional remedies over vaccination and modern medical treatment. The interaction of these factors contributes to the continued burden of preventable childhood illnesses and the associated mortality in rural communities.

A considerable number of mothers also lack sufficient information about the importance of immunization, personal and environmental hygiene, and early medical intervention. These knowledge deficiencies can contribute to childhood illnesses and deaths that could otherwise be prevented. According to Al-Zahrani (2023), inadequate awareness of the importance of immunization remains a major obstacle to improving child health, particularly in rural communities. Although vaccines are available to prevent several childhood diseases, some mothers may not know which illnesses can be prevented through vaccination or understand the recommended immunization schedules. These challenges may be further intensified by practical difficulties, including the unavailability of vaccines in nearby healthcare facilities, which can discourage mothers from completing their children's immunization.

The limited knowledge of childhood killer diseases among mothers in rural communities is therefore a matter of considerable concern. Adefolalu et al. (2019) noted that maternal understanding of immunization and childhood illnesses is frequently inadequate, a situation that may contribute to the poor utilization of available healthcare services. When mothers cannot recognize the signs and symptoms of serious childhood illnesses, they may delay seeking professional medical attention, thereby reducing the likelihood of timely treatment and recovery. In addition, insufficient knowledge of appropriate hygiene practices can encourage the transmission of preventable diseases, particularly diarrhoea, which remains a major cause of mortality among children under five years of age in rural Nigeria.

This study therefore investigates the extent of nursing mothers’ knowledge of the causes and effects of childhood killer diseases in Ogoja. By identifying existing knowledge deficiencies and the challenges associated with maternal understanding, the study seeks to generate information that can support the development of appropriate health education programmes and policy interventions aimed at improving child health outcomes in the area. Adedire et al. (2021) emphasised that examining mothers’ knowledge and attitudes towards childhood immunization is essential for developing effective health promotion strategies. Health education initiatives that provide reliable information about childhood diseases, their preventive measures, and the benefits of immunization can contribute significantly to reducing the occurrence of preventable illnesses in rural communities.

Beyond identifying gaps in maternal knowledge, it is also necessary to examine the circumstances that influence the healthcare decisions of nursing mothers in rural settings. Ahmad et al. (2018) identified socioeconomic conditions, including household income, access to healthcare facilities, and transportation, as important factors affecting maternal healthcare-seeking behaviour. Mothers with limited financial resources or those living in geographically isolated communities may find it difficult to obtain medical services for their children, even when they understand the importance of prompt treatment. Similarly, Almutairi et al. (2021) explained that mothers in resource-constrained environments frequently experience logistical difficulties, such as travelling long distances to reach healthcare facilities. These challenges may discourage them from accessing vaccination services and obtaining treatment for childhood illnesses.

In rural communities such as Ogoja, nursing mothers’ knowledge of childhood killer diseases plays an important role in determining their healthcare-seeking behaviour and decisions concerning their children's health. However, Kmeid et al. (2019) stressed that health education by itself may not produce substantial improvements in health outcomes unless broader social and economic determinants of health are also addressed. Improving access to healthcare services, developing adequate healthcare infrastructure, and reducing poverty and other socioeconomic barriers are therefore important measures for ensuring that mothers can translate the health information they receive into appropriate actions. Addressing these issues alongside maternal health education can contribute to better prevention and management of childhood killer diseases.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Despite the various interventions introduced to control childhood killer diseases in Nigeria, significant gaps remain in understanding nursing mothers’ knowledge of the causes, effects, prevention, and treatment of these illnesses, particularly in rural communities such as Ogoja, Cross River State. Although previous research has examined general maternal knowledge of child health (Abidoye & Odeyemi, 2023), limited attention has been given specifically to the circumstances of nursing mothers in Ogoja. In this community, inadequate maternal education, cultural beliefs, and insufficient access to healthcare services may contribute to the continued vulnerability of children to preventable diseases and the associated high mortality rates. Furthermore, many existing studies have concentrated on urban populations or national-level statistics, which may not adequately represent the particular difficulties experienced by mothers in rural communities (Adeloye et al., 2017).

In addition, studies conducted by Al-Zahrani (2023) and Kmeid et al. (2019) have examined obstacles affecting effective healthcare-seeking behaviour, but the complex influence of cultural beliefs on maternal health decisions has not received sufficient attention in some of these investigations. In rural communities, traditional beliefs and cultural practices can strongly influence the decisions mothers make concerning their children's health. Such influences may result in delays in seeking professional medical care or encourage the use of traditional remedies instead of recommended medical interventions. The limited attention given to these cultural influences in existing research creates a need for further investigation, particularly in Ogoja, where cultural considerations may have a substantial effect on maternal healthcare decisions.

Furthermore, research by Abdulraheem et al. (2023) and Abidoye and Odeyemi (2023) has highlighted the importance of childhood immunization, but the specific gaps in knowledge that prevent rural mothers from fully understanding the benefits of vaccination require further examination. These gaps may include inadequate awareness of immunization schedules, limited knowledge of available vaccines, and insufficient understanding of the childhood diseases that vaccination can prevent, including measles and other vaccine-preventable illnesses. Investigating these issues will provide a clearer understanding of the difficulties encountered by mothers in rural communities when making decisions about childhood immunization and disease prevention.

Moreover, although health education programmes have been recommended as an important approach to improving maternal knowledge (Almutairi et al., 2021), there is still limited research on how such programmes can be appropriately designed to reflect the cultural, educational, and socioeconomic realities of rural communities in Nigeria. The extent to which health education interventions can address the specific challenges experienced by nursing mothers in Ogoja remains insufficiently explored. Consequently, this study seeks to address these gaps by examining maternal knowledge of childhood killer diseases in Ogoja and identifying the need for culturally appropriate and context-specific health education interventions that can improve child health outcomes.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The general objective of this study is to assess nursing mothers’ knowledge of the causes and effects of childhood killer diseases in Ogoja, Cross River State. The specific objectives are to:

1. Assess the level of knowledge nursing mothers in Ogoja possess regarding the causes of childhood killer diseases.

2. Examine the perceived effects of childhood killer diseases on children's health and development in Ogoja.

3. Identify the factors that influence nursing mothers’ knowledge of childhood killer diseases in Ogoja.

1.4 Research Questions

The following research questions were formulated to guide the study:

1. What is the level of knowledge nursing mothers in Ogoja possess regarding the causes of childhood killer diseases?

2. What are the perceived effects of childhood killer diseases on children's health and development in Ogoja?

3. What factors influence nursing mothers’ knowledge of childhood killer diseases in Ogoja?

1.5 Research Hypotheses

The following null hypotheses were formulated for the study:

1. There is no statistically significant relationship between nursing mothers’ knowledge of the causes of childhood killer diseases and the prevalence of these diseases in Ogoja.

2. Nursing mothers’ knowledge of childhood killer diseases has no statistically significant influence on their healthcare-seeking behaviour for their children.

3. Socioeconomic and educational factors have no statistically significant effect on nursing mothers’ level of knowledge of childhood killer diseases in Ogoja.

1.6 Significance of the Study

This study is important because of its potential contribution to addressing the persistent problem of childhood mortality in rural communities. A major focus of the research is the influence of maternal knowledge on the prevention and management of childhood killer diseases. In rural communities such as Ogoja in Cross River State, Nigeria, preventable illnesses remain important contributors to childhood mortality, while nursing mothers serve as the primary caregivers responsible for many aspects of children's health. Their understanding of disease prevention, symptoms, treatment options, and the importance of immunization can have considerable implications for their children's health outcomes. By identifying the knowledge gaps and misconceptions that exist among nursing mothers in Ogoja, this study can provide useful information for developing more effective maternal health education strategies. Healthcare professionals, policymakers, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) can benefit from the findings because they will gain a better understanding of the specific barriers that limit the effective prevention and treatment of childhood killer diseases. Identifying these barriers can support the development of targeted health awareness campaigns that address the most important areas of concern and communicate appropriate preventive measures to mothers. Such programmes may emphasize the importance of immunization, proper sanitation, and the early recognition of illnesses such as malaria, diarrhoea, and pneumonia, which contribute substantially to childhood morbidity and mortality.

The study will also contribute to existing academic knowledge on maternal and child health in Nigeria, particularly in underserved rural communities such as Ogoja. Although several studies have investigated maternal knowledge and its relationship with child health outcomes, research specifically addressing the experiences and challenges of mothers in rural Nigerian communities remains limited. Mothers in these settings often face difficulties such as inadequate access to healthcare facilities, limited educational opportunities, and cultural barriers, which may not be adequately represented in studies based on national statistics. By focusing on Ogoja, this research will provide a better understanding of the specific obstacles affecting the delivery and utilization of child healthcare services in rural settings. The information generated may also serve as a useful reference for developing similar interventions in other rural communities in Nigeria and across sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in addressing the challenges associated with maternal knowledge and childhood disease prevention.

Furthermore, the findings of this study may have practical benefits for nursing mothers and their children. By drawing attention to the importance of preventive healthcare practices, including immunization, personal and environmental hygiene, and early medical intervention, the research can encourage mothers to adopt measures that protect their children from preventable diseases. In rural communities where health literacy may be inadequate, the study can help identify areas where accessible and understandable health information is most needed. Mothers who receive appropriate health education may be more likely to ensure that their children receive vaccinations according to recommended schedules, maintain proper hygiene, and seek professional medical attention when early symptoms of illness appear. These practices can contribute to improved child health and may help reduce preventable childhood deaths in Ogoja and other communities with similar circumstances. In addition, the study's emphasis on maternal education may encourage the introduction or expansion of sustained community health education initiatives, with the potential to produce long-term improvements in child health and survival.

1.7 Scope of the Study

This study is limited to nursing mothers residing in Ogoja, Cross River State, Nigeria. It examines their knowledge of the causes and effects of selected childhood killer diseases, including malaria, pneumonia, diarrhoea, and measles. The research also investigates the factors that influence maternal knowledge and considers the possible implications of such knowledge for child health outcomes. The study specifically covers nursing mothers who have children below five years of age, as children within this age group are particularly vulnerable to childhood killer diseases.

1.8 Operational Definition of Terms

Childhood Killer Diseases: These are illnesses that contribute significantly to mortality among children below five years of age. In this study, they include malaria, pneumonia, diarrhoea, measles, and malnutrition.

Knowledge: This refers to the level of understanding and awareness nursing mothers possess concerning the causes, symptoms, prevention, and treatment of childhood killer diseases.