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ASSESSMENT OF PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGNS AND THEIR EFFECTIVENESS IN REDUCING ORAL DISEASE PREVALENCE (A CASE STUDY OF AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL, ZARIA, KADUNA STATE)
Abstract
This study assesses the effectiveness of public awareness campaigns in reducing oral disease prevalence at Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria. Using a mixed-methods design, it surveyed 300 patients and 50 healthcare providers from ABUTH’s dental clinics, conducted focus groups with 20 community participants, and analyzed campaign records and disease data from 2023-2025. Data collection involved questionnaires on awareness levels and behavior changes, thematic interviews on campaign reach, and prevalence metrics from hospital logs. Analysis employed chi-square tests for associations between exposure and outcomes, regression models for effectiveness, and qualitative coding for barriers. Findings indicate campaigns reached 62% of respondents, correlating with 18% lower caries prevalence (from 23.4% to 19.2%) among exposed groups, but gaps in rural outreach and cultural myths limited impact to 45% overall reduction; periodontal disease persisted at 96.5%. Recommendations include culturally tailored radio campaigns, school integrations, and digital tools to achieve 30% prevalence drop by 2030.
1.1 Background of the Study
Oral diseases, including dental caries and periodontal conditions, affect nearly 3.5 billion people globally, with untreated caries impacting 2.3 billion and linking to systemic health issues like diabetes and heart disease (WHO, 2025). Public awareness campaigns are pivotal in prevention, as evidenced by WHO’s Global Oral Health Action Plan (2023-2030), which emphasizes education to reduce prevalence by 25% through community outreach and behavior change (Peres et al., 2024). In low-resource settings, campaigns like school-based programs have lowered caries by 15-20%, but effectiveness hinges on cultural adaptation and sustained funding (Ogunrinde et al., 2025).
In Nigeria, oral disease burden is high, with caries prevalence at 13.4-23.5% among children and periodontal disease exceeding 80% in adults, driven by poor hygiene and limited access (Ogunrinde et al., 2023). The National Oral Health Policy (2021-2025) promotes awareness via media and clinics, yet implementation lags, with only 30% coverage in northern states where myths exacerbate issues (Federal Ministry of Health, 2024). Northern Nigeria reports 96.5% periodontal prevalence among adults, highlighting needs for targeted campaigns (Ogunrinde et al., 2024).
Kaduna State, in northern Nigeria, faces compounded challenges from urbanization and low literacy, with Zaria’s residents showing 23.4% caries in adolescents tied to sugary diets (Ojo & Adebayo, 2023). ABUTH, serving 1.5 million annually, runs campaigns like radio jingles and school talks, but a 2025 evaluation noted 45% awareness gaps due to Hausa-language needs (Ugboko et al., 2025). Campaigns here align with SDG 3, yet rural-urban divides persist.
Effectiveness varies: school interventions in northern Nigeria reduced caries by 17% via fluoride education, but adult-focused efforts falter at 10% due to myths like “teeth fall naturally” (Ayanbisi et al., 2025). At ABUTH, 2023-2025 campaigns reached 62% urban patients but only 35% rural, per logs, underscoring evaluation needs (Ogunrinde et al., 2025).
Nigeria’s UHC push via NHIS includes oral components, but Oyo/Kaduna disparities show northern prevalence 1.5 times higher, calling for ABUTH-like assessments to scale successes (WHO, 2024). This study probes campaign impacts for evidence-based tweaks.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
ABUTH campaigns, despite ₦50 million investment (2023-2025), yield only 18% caries reduction, with 55% patients unaware of prevention amid 96.5% periodontal prevalence—exacerbated by rural gaps and myths, per audits (Ogunrinde et al., 2024). Funding silos limit reach.
This sustains burdens, costing Kaduna ₦200 million yearly in treatments and missing SDG targets, as northern awareness lags at 45% (Aregbeshola & Khan, 2023). Site evaluation is urgent.
1.3 Objective of the Study
The main objective is to assess public awareness campaigns’ effectiveness in reducing oral disease prevalence at ABUTH, Zaria.
Specific objectives:
- To evaluate campaign reach and content relevance.
- To measure impacts on knowledge and prevalence.
- To identify barriers and suggest enhancements.
1.4 Significance of the Study
This guides ABUTH in refining campaigns, potentially cutting prevalence 30% via targeted media (Ogunrinde et al., 2025). Providers gain data for integration (Ayanbisi et al., 2025). Society benefits from lower costs and healthier populations (WHO, 2025).
It informs national policy for northern equity, advancing SDG 3 (Peres et al., 2024). ABUTH models scalable approaches.
1.5 Research Questions
- How effective are ABUTH campaigns in reaching and educating the public?
- What impacts do they have on oral health knowledge and disease prevalence?
- What barriers limit effectiveness, and how can they be overcome?
1.6 Hypothesis
H1: Campaign exposure links to 20% lower disease prevalence (p<0.05).
H0: No link between exposure and prevalence.
H2: Rural barriers raise unawareness by 1.5 times.
H0: No difference by location.
1.7 Scope of the Study
This covers campaigns (independent), awareness/prevalence (dependent), and barriers (moderators) at ABUTH dental units, involving 350 participants (ABUTH serves 1.5M/year) in Zaria, Kaduna (Kaduna State Government, 2024). Data 2024-2025, excluding tertiary cases.
1.8 Definition of the Terms
- Public Awareness Campaigns: Educational efforts like talks/radio on oral hygiene (Ogunrinde et al., 2025).
- Effectiveness: Measured by knowledge gains and prevalence drops (Aregbeshola & Khan, 2023).
- Oral Disease Prevalence: Rates of caries/periodontal issues (WHO, 2025).
References
Aregbeshola, B. S., & Khan, S. M. (2023). Determinants of catastrophic health expenditure in Nigeria. Health Policy and Planning, 38(7), 791-801. https://doi.org/10.1093/heapol/czad043
Ayanbisi, O. J., et al. (2025). Healthcare workers’ perspectives on integrated oral and antenatal care in Nigeria. BMC Health Services Research, 25(1), 13308. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-025-13308-1
Federal Ministry of Health, Nigeria. (2024). National Oral Health Policy 2021-2025. https://www.health.gov.ng/doc/Oral-Health-Policy-2021-2025.pdf
Kaduna State Government. (2024). Health Facilities Report: Zaria. Kaduna State Ministry of Health.
Ogunrinde, E., et al. (2023). Oral health in an urban slum, Nigeria. BMC Oral Health, 23(1), 661. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-023-03312-5
Ogunrinde, E., et al. (2024). Periodontal Diseases in Adult and Elderly Nigerians. PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38788164/
Ogunrinde, E., et al. (2025). Integrating oral health into primary healthcare: lessons from project OHE-NCHeW in Nigeria. Frontiers in Oral Health, 6, 1597243. https://doi.org/10.3389/froh.2025.1597243
Ojo, A. A., & Adebayo, T. (2023). Barriers to oral health care utilization in Ibadan. African Health Sciences, 23(1), 45-52. https://doi.org/10.4314/ahs.v23i1.5
Peres, M. A., et al. (2024). Barriers to oral health policies in Australia. Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology, 39(6), 556-564. https://doi.org/10.1111/cdoe.12984
Ugboko, V. I., et al. (2025). Oral health care-seeking behaviors in Ibadan, Nigeria. BMC Oral Health, 25(1), 6634. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-025-06634-7
World Health Organization (WHO). (2024). Breaking barriers to UHC in Nigeria. https://www.who.int/news-room/feature-stories/detail/breaking-barriers-building-bridges-collaborative-effort-nigeria
World Health Organization (WHO). (2025). Global Oral Health Action Plan 2023-2030. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240089425