ASSOCIATION OF COMMUNITY-BASED HEALTH EDUCATION PROGRAMME WITH MALARIA PREVENTION IN BAUCHI, NIGERIA

Malaria prevention is a cornerstone of public health in Nigeria. Yet, gender-based disparities often undermine the effectiveness of health education initiatives. This study assessed the association of community-based health education (CBHE) with malaria prevention in Bauchi, Nigeria, with a specific focus on gender differences in awareness and participation. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 138 residents (63.8% male, 36.2% female) in two wards in Bauchi LGA. Data were collected via a structured questionnaire and analysed using descriptive statistics and Chi-Square tests with SPSS version 27.0. The results revealed a high overall knowledge about malaria transmission (97.8%). However, a stark gender gap emerged: a statistically significant association was found between gender and awareness about CBHE programmes (χ² = 15.456, df = 1, p < 0.001), with men being overwhelmingly more aware than women. This disparity limits women’s access to vital health information, despite their central role in household health management and childcare. While ITN ownership was high (71.7%), consistent use was suboptimal (48.6%), and awareness about CBHE did not show a statistically significant association with ITN use (p = 0.095). This paper argues that gender inequality in health education is a critical barrier to achieving health equity and advancing women’s health rights. To be effective, malaria prevention strategies must be intentionally gender-transformative, ensuring that women are not just passive recipients but active participants in health education.