Utilization of Public Health Knowledge and Students Healthful Living in Secondary Schools in Umuahia North LGA of Abia State:- Nwankwo, Austin O

ABSTRACT

 The purpose of this study was to determine the extent of utilization of public health knowledge by students of secondary schools in Umuahia North LGA of Ahia State. The study adopted a survey research design and the population was six thousand, three hundred students in Umuahia North LGA of Ahia State, from which a sample of three hundred and eighty-two respondents were drawn and used for the study in line with the Y aro Yamane formulae for determination of sample size. Five research questions and five hypotheses guided the study. The instrument for data collection was a structured items questionnaire validated by three experts. Data analysis of the research questions and hypotheses was carried out using mean scores, frequency counts, percentages, t-tests and Chi-square statistics respectively. Hypotheses were tested at .05 level of significance. Findings of this study showed that students of secondary schools in Umuahia North LGA of Ahia State utilized to a very high extent KPH, and utilized KES, and KIT to a high extent. On the constraints to utilization of public health knowledge and its remedies, the students' responses were very high. Also, the study showed there is no significant difference between the mean ratings of male secondary school students and their female counterparts regarding the extent to which they utilize KPH, KES, KIT and no significant difference on the mean responses on the constraints and its remedies to utilization of public health knowledge. Based on the findings, the researcher recommended among other things, the intensification of information dissemination and creation of awareness and the teaching of health education in the secondary school curriculum, and also, the provision of public health equipment and facilities within and around the secondary schools' environment in Umuahia North LGA of Abia State.