Prevalence, Perception and Awareness of Chronic Diseases (obesity (bmi), Typhoid Fever, Sepsis (gastroenteritis) Among Rural Dwellers in Nomeh-Unateze Community in Nkanu-East L.g.a, Enugu State.

This study explored the prevalence, perception, and awareness of chronic diseases, specifically - Obesity (BMI), Typhoid Fever, and Sepsis (Gastroenteritis), among rural dwellers in the Nomeh-Unateze Community, Nkanu-East LGA, Enugu State, Nigeria. Chronic diseases pose a significant public health challenge, particularly in rural areas where healthcare access and health literacy are limited. The primary objective is to quantify the prevalence of these discases, understand community perceptions, and evaluate awareness levels to inform targeted health interventions. A cross-sectional research design was adopted, combining both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods. Using the Cochran formula, an initial sample size of 318 was determined and subsequently increased by 10% to 350 respondents to account for non-responses. Data were gathered through structured questionnaires and in-depth interviews, ensuring comprehensive coverage of the study's objectives. The demographic analysis revealed a diverse population in terms of age, gender, and educational levels, providing a broad perspective on the community's health status. The prevalence rates of the chronic diseases were found to be 24.9% for Obesity (BMI), 20% for Typhoid Fever, and 15.7% for Sepsis (Gastroenteritis). These rates highlighted a considerable burden of chronic diseases within the community, necessitating urgent public health interventions. Perception analysis revealed common misconceptions and stigma associated with these conditions. Obesity is often misconstrued as a sign of affluence, Typhoid Fever is attributed to supernatural causes, and Sepsis is underestimated in severity. Awareness levels varied, with a relatively high awareness of Typhoid Fever but limited knowledge about Obesity and Sepsis. This disparity is due to the inadequate health education and campaigns in the community. The study emphasized the need for targeted health education programs, improved healthcare infrastructure, and robust community engagement initiatives. Policy makers should integrate these findings into broader health policies to address chronic diseases more effectively in rural settings. In conclusion, the research underscores the critical need for enhanced health education, community involvement, and improved healthcare services to reduce the burden of chronic diseases in rural Nigeria. The findings call for collaborative efforts among health professionals, policy makers, and researchers to develop and implement strategies that will significantly improve health outcomes in rural communities.

Keywords: Chronic diseases, Rural health, Health perception, Health awareness.