Evaluation of impact of health education intervention on knowledge and management of typhoid fever among patent medicine vendors in Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Typhoid fever is a disease of public health concern in Nigeria. The incidence rate of typhoid fever in Ebonyi was 309 cases per 100,000 populations in 2018. The patent medicine vendor (PMVs) who often lack formal pharmaceutical education and dispensing training serve as a major source of care in many communities, yet gaps exist in their knowledge and management practices of typhoid fever. This study evaluate the impact of structured health education interventions on knowledge and management practices of typhoid fever among PMVs in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. A quasi-experimental study with intervention and control groups was conducted among162 PMVs selected using a multistage sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured, self-administered questionnaire at baseline and 3 months post-intervention. The intervention group received health education on typhoid fever, while the control group received training on malaria. Data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 26, descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and t-test at a 5% level of significance. At baseline, both groups demonstrated generally poor knowledge and suboptimal management practices, though some variables showed statistically significant differences between groups. Following the interventions the mean knowledge score in the intervention group increased from 6.8 ± 2.49 to 10.2 ± 2.05, while the good management practices improved from 53.2 to 94.4%. In contrast, only minimal changes were observed in the control group. Improvements were particularly notable in knowledge of transmission, prevention, and appropriate antibiotics use. This study suggests that structured health education intervention can improve knowledge and management practices of typhoid fever among PMVs. Although baseline differences and the quasi-experimental design warrant cautious interpretation, the observed improvements highlight the value of targeted training intervention. Scaling up such programs may enhance disease management and support efforts to promote rational antibiotics use in resource-limited settings.