Closing the Women's Health Gap: The Importance of Health Education to Nigerian Women

Empowering women with health education is crucial for informed decision-making about their health. Health education is described as a process that “informs, motivates and helps people to adopt and maintain positive health behaviors”.?

In many parts of the world, gender inequality and bias lead to disparities in accessing healthcare, education, and other necessities for women and girls, profoundly influencing their health-seeking behaviors and well-being. This imbalance is particularly evident in low and middle-income countries such as Nigeria, where socioeconomic status often dictates healthcare access, and 1 in 5 of all global maternal deaths occur.

Cervical cancer, a significant concern for women's health worldwide, exemplifies this disparity. It is the second leading cause of cancer burden in Nigeria, with over 53 million women above the age of 15 projected to be at risk of developing the disease if preventative measures are not taken.?

Lack of awareness, low-risk perception, poverty, and sociocultural norms contribute to poor uptake of cervical cancer screening (CCS) services among Nigerian women. Through mediums like lectures, videos and leaflets, women’s health education can significantly increase their awareness of cervical cancer and other diseases.

Moreover, health education serves as a crucial intervention in the prevention of harmful practices like Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C). Nigeria has the third-highest number of women and girls who have undergone FGM globally, with an estimated 19.9 million survivors.

Almost 2 in 5 Nigerian women do not participate in decisions regarding their care. Community-based strategies, which engage key leaders and influencers, are vital tools that can address this issue. By considering the specific needs, capacities, and existing knowledge of the target population, and addressing the cultural, religious, and health-related factors perpetuating FGM/C and other sensitive issues, tailored health education programs have shown promise in changing people’s attitudes and perceptions. Increasing women’s health education is crucial to closing the gender health gap.

5 Actionable Ways to Improve Your Health Life as a Nigerian Woman

1. Seek Reliable Sources of Information: Healthcare professionals, government health agencies and reputable websites such as DébboAfrica. This can help women make evidence-based decisions about their health.
2. Participate in Health Education Programs: Actively engaging in health education programs and workshops can provide women with valuable knowledge to manage their health.?
3. Join Support Groups: Support groups offer a platform to connect with other women facing similar health challenges. They empower women by sharing experiences, exchanging information, and offering emotional support, fostering solidarity and resilience. Join DébboTribe for valuable resources and programs covering a wealth of topics, ranging from disease prevention to healthy lifestyle choices.
4. Utilize Technology: Mobile apps can help women track their health metrics, while online forums and virtual healthcare platforms make it convenient to communicate with healthcare providers. Have a read through this DébboAfrica blog post on fem-tech apps and gadgets women can use to access healthcare.
5. Advocate for Comprehensive Health Education: Women can increase access to health education in their communities and schools by advocating for the promotion of reproductive health, mental health, and preventive care topics. This will equip future generations with the necessary knowledge to maintain their health and well-being.

Conclusion

In summary, Knowledge is a catalyst for change, and by providing women with the tools to make informed health decisions, we can combat health disparities and harmful practices.?

The collective effort to enhance health education will not only benefit individual women but also contribute to the broader societal progress, ensuring a future where health equity is a reality for all Nigerian women.

Do you have any questions about your health? Reach out to DébboAfrica. We are a team of female-only medical professionals, and we are poised to provide you with the best healthcare possible.

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References:

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2. Nigeria Health Watch (2021) Gender Equality for Sustainable Development and Quality Women’s health?-?resolutions from the 2021 future of health conference, Nigeria Health Watch. Available at: https://articles.nigeriahealthwatch.com/gender-equality-for-sustainable-development-and-quality-womens-health%E2%80%8A-%E2%80%8Aresolutions-from-the-2021-future-of-health-conference/?amp=1? (Accessed: 10 April 2024).?
3. Akanni Ibukun Akinyemi (2023) Why Nigeria’s weak health system affects women and girls the most, The Conversation. Available at: https://theconversation.com/why-nigerias-weak-health-system-affects-women-and-girls-the-most-163904? (Accessed: 11 April 2024).
4. Okolie EA, Aluga D, Anjorin S, Ike FN, Ani EM, Nwadike BI. Addressing missed opportunities for cervical cancer screening in Nigeria: a nursing workforce approach. Ecancermedicalscience. 2022 Apr 11;16:1373. doi: 10.3332/ecancer.2022.1373. PMID: 35702415; PMCID: PMC9116993.
5. Ebu, N.I., Amissah-Essel, S., Asiedu, C. et al. Impact of health education intervention on knowledge and perception of cervical cancer and screening for women in Ghana. BMC Public Health 19, 1505 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-019-7867-x?
6. Waigwa, S., Doos, L., Bradbury-Jones, C. et al. Effectiveness of health education as an intervention designed to prevent female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C): a systematic review. Reprod Health 15, 62 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-018-0503-x
7. Unicef Warns FGM on The Rise Among Young Nigerian Girls. Related UNICEF Websites. Available at: https://www.unicef.org/nigeria/press-releases/unicef-warns-fgm-rise-among-young-nigerian-girls? (Accessed: 11 April 2024).
8. Good for women, good for growth: Closing Nigeria’s gender gap (2018) IMF. Available at: https://www.imf.org/en/News/Podcasts/All-Podcasts/2018/03/08/nigeria-gender-inequality (Accessed: 11 April 2024).