Role of Health Education in Improving Maternal and Child Health Outcomes in Rural Communities of Mubi Zone, Adamawa State, Nigeria

Maternal and child health outcomes in rural Nigeria remain suboptimal due to limited access to healthcare services, low literacy levels, and cultural barriers. This study investigates the role of health education in improving maternal and child health behaviors in rural communities of Mubi Zone, Adamawa State. A mixed methods approach was employed, involving a cross-sectional survey of 250 women of reproductive age and qualitative interviews with 15 key informants, including health workers and community leaders. Findings revealed that women exposed to structured health education were significantly more likely to attend antenatal care, deliver with skilled birth attendants, practice exclusive breastfeeding, and ensure full immunization of their children. Community health workers and local radio programs emerged as the most effective channels for delivering health messages. The study concludes that culturally adapted, community-based health education is a powerful tool for improving maternal and child health outcomes in underserved settings. It recommends scaling up such programs and integrating them into routine primary healthcare services.