PUBLIC HEALTH INTERVENTIONS FOR CONTROL AND PREVENTION OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES IN SOME SELECTED LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS OF TARABA STATE
Keywords:
Public health interventions, infectious diseases,, disease control, prevention strategies.Abstract
This study examined the effectiveness of public health interventions in controlling and preventing infectious diseases and assessed the challenges affecting their implementation in rural communities of Taraba State. A descriptive survey research design was adopted, targeting healthcare workers, community health volunteers, and residents across selected communities in Wukari, Gassol, and Jalingo Local Government Areas. A total of 400 respondents were selected using a multi-stage sampling technique. Data were collected using a validated and reliable structured questionnaire, and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, including chi-square and regression analysis at a 0.05 level of significance. Findings revealed that public health interventions have significantly reduced the prevalence of infectious diseases such as malaria and cholera, with high effectiveness noted in vaccination programs, clean water provision, and improved healthcare access. However, community participation and health education efforts were less effective, indicating gaps in public engagement. The study also found that implementation challenges such as inadequate funding, poor infrastructure, weak policy enforcement, and shortage of healthcare personnel significantly hindered disease prevention efforts. Regression analysis showed a strong and significant influence of public health interventions on disease control, while chi-square results indicated a significant relationship between implementation challenges and disease prevention outcomes. The study concludes that addressing these challenges is critical for improving health outcomes. It recommends increased government funding, improved infrastructure, and enhanced community engagement to strengthen public health interventions in rural areas.
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