Article section
Empowering Female Teachers through Health Literacy, Reproductive Health and Lifestyle Modifications in Osun State, Nigeria
Abstract
The study investigated nexus among health literacy, reproductive health and lifestyle modifications among women of reproductive age in teaching profession in Osun State, Nigeria. Purposive and simple random sampling techniques were employed to selected one-hundred and eighty-six teachers. A self-designed instrument was used to elicit information from the participants. Both descriptive and inferential statistical tools were explored to analyse the generated data. The findings of the research demonstrated a moderate positive association between health literacy and reproductive health of women of reproductive age in teaching profession. The study further revealed a significant relationship between lifestyle modifications and reproductive health among women of reproductive age in the teaching profession. The findings indicated that the top strategies included simplifying health information using plain language, providing training for healthcare providers, and using visual aids like diagrams, pictures, and videos. Other notable strategies included offering reproductive health services and counselling, providing access to accurate information, and promoting physical activity, healthy eating habits, stress management, and healthy sleep habits. The study concluded that health literacy, reproductive health and lifestyle modifications of women of reproductive age go a long way in enhancing their well-being and overall effectiveness in teaching profession. Policymakers and health educators should promote and support lifestyle modification programs that empower women teachers to make informed choices about their reproductive health.
Keywords:
Health Literacy Lifestyle Modifications Reproductive Health Teaching Profession
Article information
Journal
Journal of Arts, Humanities and Social Science
Volume (Issue)
2(2), (2025)
Pages
1-10
Published
Copyright
Copyright (c) 2025 Uchechukwu Charles Osu, Olajumoke Oyetola Adegbite, Taiwo Oluwaseyifunmi Olunubi, Foyinsola Genevieve Ogunniyan, Patricia Ifeoma Afolabi (Author)
Open access

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
How to Cite
References
Aboaba, A. O., Okoro, M. C., Okobi, O. E., Falade, I. M., Ogbeifun, O. E., Katas, S., ... & Fashugba, M. A. (2024). Comparative Efficacy of Lifestyle Modifications versus Pharmacotherapy on Weight Loss and Metabolic Health Outcomes: A Comprehensive Review. Journal of Biosciences and Medicines, 12(7), 17-29.
Adebayo, F. A. (2018). Demographic characteristics of teachers and their impact on students' academic performance. Journal of Educational Research, 12(1), 1-10.
Ahinkorah, B. O., Hagan Jr, J. E., Seidu, A. A., Mintah, J. K., Sambah, F., Schack, T., & Hormenu, T. (2019). Examining pregnancy related socio-cultural factors among adolescent girls in the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem municipality in the central region of Ghana: a case-control study. Frontiers in public health, 7, 93.
Ahmad, F. N., Ravi, S. T., Amit T., & Parmieka, R. (2020). Health Literacy: Addressing Well-Being: A Review. International Healthcare Research Journal, 4(5), 105-112.
Amankwaa, G., Abass, K., & Gyasi, R. M. (2018). In-school adolescents’ knowledge, access to and use of sexual and reproductive health services in Metropolitan Kumasi, Ghana. Journal of Public Health, 26, 443-451.
Batterham, R. W., Appleton, S., & Beauchamp, A. (2021). Health literacy and health outcomes: A systematic review. Journal of Health Communication, 26(1), 1-13.
Berkman, N. D., Sheridan, S. L., Donahue, K. E., Halpern, D. J., & Crotty, K. (2011). Low health literacy and health outcomes: An updated systematic review. Annals of Internal Medicine, 155(2), 97-107.
Elmaleh-Sachs, A., Schwartz, J. L., Bramante, C. T., Nicklas, J. M., Gudzune, K. A., & Jay, M. (2023) Obesity Management in Adults. JAMA, 330, 2000-2015.
Ezeh, A. C., Bongaarts, J., & Mberu, B. (2019). The influence of education on reproductive health outcomes in Nigeria. Journal of Women's Health, 28(10), 1419-1426.
Foster, C., McKenzie, H., & Widdershoven, G. (2021). The complex relationship between health literacy and reproductive health outcomes: A qualitative study. BMC Public Health, 21(1), 1-10.
Hagan, D., Opoku, A., & Anani-Adzoe, L. F. (2021). Utilization of reproductive health ser vices among adolescents at maternal and child health Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana. Asian Research Journal of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, 32(45).
Harris, A., Smith, B., & Johnson, C. (2020). The impact of lifestyle modifications on reproductive health outcomes. Journal of Women's Health, 29(3), 345-355.
Johnson, A. L., Smith, J. K., & Williams, P. R. (2023). Limited health literacy and healthy behaviours during pregnancy. Journal of Women's Health, 32(10), 1234-1242.
Johnson, K. (2019). Socioeconomic determinants of reproductive health outcomes in low-income settings. Journal of Reproductive Health, 16(2), 123-135.
Kawata, Y., Nakamura, Y., & Matsuoka, S. (2022). Development of a health literacy scale for women of reproductive age. BMC Public Health, 22(1), 1-11.
Kessels, R. P., & Holland, R. W. (2020). The role of healthcare providers in health literacy: A systematic review. Patient Education and Counseling, 103(4), 834-841.
Kushner, R. F. (2018) Weight Loss Strategies for Treatment of Obesity: Lifestyle Management and Pharmacotherapy. Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases, 61, 246- 252.
Laughlin-Tommaso, S. K,, & Jacoby, V. L. (2017). Disparities in fibroid incidence, prognosis, and management. Obstetrics Gynecol Clin North Am, 44(1), 81–94.
Meppelink, C. S., van Weert, J. C., & Smit, E. G. (2019). The effects of pictorial health information on patient outcomes: A systematic review. Health Communication, 34(10), 1046-1056.
Moore, K., Schmiege, S. J., & Bekmezian, A. (2019). Beyond health literacy: Exploring the role of health numeracy and digital literacy in reproductive health. Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved, 30(2), 257-270
Moran, L. J., Ko, H., Misso, M., Marsh, K., Noakes, M., Talbot, M., & Teede, H. J. (2019). Dietary composition in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review to inform evidence-based guidelines. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 119(3), 432-445.
Ogunode, N. J. (2020). Demographic analysis of teachers in Nigeria: Implications for educational planning. Journal of Education and Human Development, 9(1), 1-15.
Olajide, O. E. & Omokhabi, A. A. (2014). Perception, Knowledge level and Barriers to Reproductive Health Behaviour among Community Women in Selected Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Oyo State, Nigeria. African Journal of Sustainable Development, 4(2), 29-47.
Omokhabi, A. A. & Egunyomi, D. A. (2016). Predictors of Female Lecturers Reproductive Health Behaviour in Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria. African Journal of Educational Management, 17(1) 21-54.
Omokhabi, A. A. & Fajimi, B. A., (2023) Women in Pandemics and Sustainability of African Rural Communities. Shodh Sari- An International Multidisciplinary Journal, 2(03), 67-105. https://doi.org/10.59231/SARI7593
Omokhabi, A. A. (2014). Determinants of reproductive health behaviour among female workers in tertiary institutions in Southwestern Nigeria. Unpublished Ph.D. Thesis, Department of Adult Education, Faculty of Education, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.
Omokhabi, A. A. (2016). Factors influencing reproductive health behaviour of female non-academic staff in the Nigerian Universities. Ibadan Journal of Educational Studies, 13(1), 89-102.
Omokhabi, A. A. (2020). Testing theory of planned behaviour in predicting married women’s use of modern family planning methods at Ibadan North Local Government. In K. O. Kester; P. B. Abu; I. A. Abiona and E. J. Oghenekohwo (Eds.) Human and Social Development Investment (pp. 364-390). Ibadan: Department of Adult Education, University of Ibadan.
Omokhabi, A. A. (2024). Reproductive Health Needs of Women with Disabilities: A Non-pharmaceutical Interventions Approach. African Journal for the Psychological Study of Social Issues, 27(2). http://ajpssi.org/index.php/ajpssi/issue/view/34
Paakkari, L., & Okan, O. (2020). COVID-19: Health literacy is an underestimated problem. The Lancet Public Health, 5(5), e249-e250.
Palomba, S., Falbo, A., & La Sala, G. B. (2015). Effects of lifestyle intervention on reproductive health in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Journal of Women's Health, 24(5), 437-445.
Pidugu, V., Sunkara, A., & Channa, R. S. (2024). A Qualitative Study on Health Literacy and Women’s Reproductive Health. Journal of Womens Health Care Manage, 5(3), 160.
Pleasant, A., Cabe, J., & Patel, K. (2020). Health literacy: A review of the literature. Journal of Health Communication, 25(5), 401-413.
Palumbo, R., Annarumma, C., Musella, M., & Adinolfi, P. (2017). Realizing excellence in health care: The relationship between health literacy, self-efficacy, awareness and health services’ use. In 20th Excellence in Services International Conference, Conference Proceedings (pp. 577-596).
Sentell, T., Vamos, S., & Okan, O. (2020). Low health literacy and reproductive health outcomes: A systematic review. Journal of Health Communication, 25(3), 234-244
Sharma, L. R., Bidari, S., Bidari, D., Neupane, S., & Sapkota, R. (2023). Exploring the mixed methods research design: types, purposes, strengths, challenges, and criticisms. Global Academic Journal of Linguistics and Literature, 5(1), 3-12.
Sharp, L. K., Zurawski, J. M., Roland, P. Y., O'Toole, C., & Hines, J. (2002). Health literacy, cervical cancer risk factors, and distress in low-income African-American women seeking colposcopy. Ethnicity & disease, 12(4), 541-546.
Shoyemi, O. S., Abdulsalam, A., Oni, I. F. D., Hassan, A. I., & Azeez, T. A. (2024). Critical Analysis of Health Literacy and its Impact on Health Outcomes. Med Discoveries, 3(3), 1136.
Skaalvik, E. M., & Skaalvik, S. (2017). Still motivated? The role of teacher self-efficacy and job satisfaction for the motivation to teach. Journal of Educational Psychology, 109(5), 625-636.
Smith, J. M., Johnson, K. L., & Thompson, R. A. (2024). Health literacy interventions for improving reproductive health outcomes. Journal of Reproductive Health, 15(2), 1-9.
Sørensen, K., Van den Broucke, S., & Pelikan, J. M. (2023). Health literacy and reproductive health: A systematic review. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 23(1), 1-13.
Sørensen, K., Van den Broucke, S., Fullam, J., Doyle, G., Pelikan, J., Slonska, Z., & Brand, H. (2012). Health literacy and public health: A systematic review and integration of definitions and models. BMC Public Health, 12(1), 1-13.
Stormacq, C., Van den Broucke, S., & Wosinski, C. (2020). Effects of health literacy interventions on health outcomes in people with chronic conditions: A systematic review. Journal of Health Communication, 25(10), 757-769.
Wadden, T. A., Tronieri, J. S., & Butryn, M. L. (2020). Lifestyle Modification Ap proaches for the Treatment of Obesity in Adults. American Psychologist, 75, 235- 251
WHO. (2022). Health literacy and health outcomes: A systematic review. World Health Organization.
Zhang, Y., Liu, Y., & Wang, Y. (2022). The impact of health literacy on cervical cancer screening knowledge and practices among women. Journal of Women's Health, 31(1), 34-41