Abstract

Introduction: Providing public health awareness is a fundamental component of diseases control and prevention strategies and the impact of public health awareness in the recent decades have witnesses a radical changes & achievements in curtailing and eradicating many kinds of diseases across the globe. Controlling COVID 19 pandemic is a typical example of public health awareness achievement, as there is no single person around the globe that is not aware of COVID-19, it causes, it risks factor and it preventive measures. As such, raising awareness is a key plank and integral aspect of public health approach to both preventive, curative, and palliative cares and most importantly that of preventive one, hence raising public health awareness is of a great subject of consideration in public health arena, as public health awareness is a movement for every individual, families and communities to achieve the state of fulfilled physical, mental, psychological, and social needs. But, unfortunately most of the researchers prefer not to address this topic.rnAims & Objectives: This study aimed at assessing the situation, status, and levels of community’s health knowledge and awareness related to causes and risk factors associated with maternal, child and neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) morbidity and mortality in the case study area. Findings of this research can be used by policymakers and health workers in curtailing the morbidity and mortality associated with maternal, child and neglected tropical diseases. rnMaterial & Method: This research study was conducted in Yobe state, Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey research design was adopted using closed-ended questionnaire and dichotomous questions (YES or NO) were used, because it is the easiest form of questionnaire for the respondents in term of responding the questions, especially when most of the respondents are not literate. The data were collected from all specialist and general hospitals of 17 LGAs of Yobe state, targeted at women that attending antenatal and postnatal cares. 50 questionnaires were administered at each hospital, totalling 850 questionnaires across 17 hospitals and the data collected were analyzed with the aid of SPSS and presented in tables and figures and then the results were discussed. rnResult: Based on findings of this research study, of the three zones of Yobe State (Zone A, B & C), Zone ‘B’ has highest levels of maternal knowledge and awareness with total percentage (70.14%) and then followed by Zone ‘A’ with a total percentage of (64.58%) and lastly Zone ‘C’ with a total percentage of (58.29), so also Zone ‘B’ has highest levels of child knowledge and awareness with a total percentage (84.14%) and then followed by Zone ‘A’ with a total percentage of (57.23%) and lastly Zone ‘C’ with total percentage of (55.60%). rnConclusion: The findings of this research study has established that there is low levels of knowledge and awareness related maternal, child, and neglected tropical diseases in the case study area and in particular that of the knowledge and awareness related to causes and risk factors associated with Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). Morbidity and mortality associated with maternal, child and neglected tropical diseases has recorded huge impact in the case study area due to poor level of knowledge and awareness and it’s therefore raising awareness is tailored to end this menace.