Awareness of Health Professionals on Health Programs of Government and their Opinions on Future Actions of Government in Rivers State, Nigeria
Adaeze Chidinma Oreh
Department of Health Sciences, Health in Context Research Institute, University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), Groningen, Netherlands and University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands and Faculty of Clinical Sciences, PAMO University of Medical Sciences, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Rex Friday Ogoronte Alderton Ijah *
Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
Julienne Darlington-Nwoke
Department of Health Planning, Research and Statistics, Rivers State Ministry of Health, Rivers State, Nigeria.
Henshaw Iyeringerikoa
Department of Health Planning, Research and Statistics, Rivers State Ministry of Health, Rivers State, Nigeria.
Felix Biyama
Department of Health Planning, Research and Statistics, Rivers State Ministry of Health, Rivers State, Nigeria.
Vincent Wachukwu
Rivers State Ministry of Health, Rivers State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: The goal of healthcare governance is to improve the health status of citizens. Health professionals in Rivers State demonstrated varying levels of awareness of government health programmes, with 63.6% reporting awareness overall.
Aim: This study evaluated health professionals’ awareness of government health programmes, associated challenges, and future directions for government health action during the last quarter of 2025.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted among consenting health professionals using a questionnaire. The information obtained was collated and analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0 and presented in tables and graphs.
Results: A total of 893 health workers participated, comprising 429 (48.0%) males and 464 (52.0%) females, with a mean age of 35.73 ± 7.54 years. The participants included medical doctors (n = 228; 25.5%), nurses (n = 236; 26.4%), pharmacists (n = 109; 12.2%), medical laboratory scientists (n = 114; 12.8%), laboratory technologists (n = 133; 14.9%), and health administrators (n = 73; 8.2%). Overall, 568 (63.6%) were aware of government health programmes. Awareness was higher among medical doctors and nurses than among other professional groups, and the association was statistically significant (p < 0.001). Although information was available, many participants were uncertain about programme-related challenges, and a substantial proportion did not provide opinions on the government’s future direction in health. The main information sources were the workplace (n = 270; 30.2%), roadside banners/posters (n = 205; 23.0%), and social media (n = 182; 20.4%).
Conclusion: Participants expressed opinions on awareness, challenges, and future directions of government health programmes. These findings provide a resource that may inform improvements in health services in Rivers State.
Keywords: Awareness, health professionals, health programs, opinions, Rivers State