Background of the Study:
Malaria remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in rural areas where access to healthcare services is limited. In Nigeria, Taraba State is one of the regions most affected by malaria, with a significant burden of the disease within rural communities (Suleiman et al., 2024). Despite ongoing malaria prevention efforts by governmental and non-governmental organizations, the prevalence of malaria in these communities remains high. This may be attributed to factors such as poor health literacy, inadequate access to healthcare facilities, and cultural barriers to the adoption of preventive measures like the use of insecticide-treated nets and prompt treatment (Adebayo et al., 2023).
Nurses, being the frontline healthcare providers in these rural settings, play a crucial role in promoting health education and preventive practices (Adepoju & Ajayi, 2024). Their direct interactions with community members make them ideal figures for conducting awareness campaigns and providing malaria prevention information. However, the extent of their effectiveness in malaria prevention awareness is not well documented, particularly in rural areas of Nigeria like Taraba State.
While studies have shown that health education programs involving nurses have had positive outcomes in urban settings, there is limited research on their role in rural communities where traditional beliefs and practices might influence health-seeking behaviors (Olafimihan & Adegboye, 2025). Therefore, understanding the role of nurses in malaria prevention awareness is crucial to improving malaria control strategies and reducing its burden in rural communities.
Statement of the Problem:
Despite numerous efforts to combat malaria in Nigeria, including distribution of insecticide-treated nets and the provision of antimalarial drugs, rural communities, particularly in Taraba State, continue to experience high malaria incidence rates. The lack of adequate awareness about malaria prevention methods in these areas, coupled with misconceptions and cultural beliefs about the disease, hampers the effectiveness of these interventions. Nurses, as key health educators in rural settings, have the potential to enhance awareness and behavioral change regarding malaria prevention. However, their specific roles and the impact of their malaria prevention initiatives in these rural areas remain poorly understood. This study aims to assess how nurses' involvement in malaria prevention awareness affects the adoption of preventive measures in rural communities in Taraba State.
Objectives of the Study:
Research Questions:
Research Hypotheses:
Scope and Limitations of the Study: This study will be conducted in rural communities within Taraba State, Nigeria. The research will focus on assessing nurses’ role in malaria prevention awareness, the challenges they face, and their impact on community practices. The study will be limited to nurses working in primary healthcare centers in these areas. Limitations include potential bias in self-reported data from nurses and community members, and the study's findings may not be generalizable to other regions with different healthcare infrastructures.
Definitions of Terms:
Health Education Programs: Organized efforts, often conducted by healthcare professionals, to inform and teach individuals or communities about health-related issues.