Role of Public Health Nurses in Promoting Effective Management of Non-Communicable Diseases in Urban Slums in Asaba, Delta State Nigeria

The increasing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in low-resource settings, particularly among urban slum populations, has reinforced the importance of public health nurses as key stakeholders in the management of chronic disease. This study investigated the predictive roles of nurses’ community screening, follow-up care, and health education activities in managing NCDs among urban slum residents in Asaba. The study was guided by three research questions aligned with three null hypotheses. A cross-sectional correlational survey design was adopted to examine the relationships among the variables. The participants comprised 193 residents of selected urban slums in Asaba, drawn using multistage sampling techniques. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data form residents with exposure to nurse-led activities and their perceived effectiveness in NCD management. Data were analysed using Chi-square tests and binary logistic regression. Findings of the study revealed that nurses’ involvement in community-based screening, including free NCD tests and referrals, significantly predicted better disease management outcomes (Exp(B) = 48.887, p = .002; Exp(B) = 20.298, p = .007). Similarly, nurse-led follow-up activities such as home visits, blood pressure monitoring, and side effect counselling were strong predictors of effective disease control (Exp(B) = 7.043, p = .001; Exp(B) = 6.264, p = .006; Exp(B) = 6.846, p = .001). Educational interventions, particularly those involving community health sessions, nutrition advice, and alcohol risk education, also significantly enhanced patient outcomes (Exp(B) = 5.106, p = .005; Exp(B) = 3.694, p = .040; Exp(B) = 3.981, p = .010). However, passive methods such as poster distribution and general explanations showed no statistically significant effects (p > .05). The study concluded that nurse-led interventions are crucial in improving chronic disease outcomes in underserved urban contexts. It recommended that policymakers and healthcare administrators institutionalise comprehensive and well-supported nurse-led models that integrate screening, follow-up, and education.