Willingness, self-efficacy, barriers, and facilitators to the provision of peer training on oral health education for nurses and community health workers in Nigeria

Authors

• Afolabi Oyapero, Lagos State University
• Folake B. Lawal, University of Ibadan
• Adetayo Aborisade, Bayero University
• Abimbola M. Oladayo, Missouri School of Dentistry and Oral Health
• Mojisola Olujitan, University of Iowa College of Dentistry
• Aderonke Dedeke, University of Ibadan
• Adeola T. Williams, University of Ibadan
• Ifeoluwa Adetula, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital
• Taiwo A. Lawal, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan
• Ejiro Idiga, University of Ibadan
• Emiola J. Ayoola, University of Ibadan
• Ezekiel D. Folushade, University of Ibadan
• Amina Mohamed, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital
• Amina Baffa, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital
• Gbemisola S. Tomoye, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital
• Joshua A. Folorunso, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital
• Oluwafolakemi A. Egunjobi, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital
• Azeez Butali, University of Iowa College of Dentistry

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Discover Public Health

Abstract

Introduction: In March 2024, Project OHE-NCHeW delivered oral health education training to 60 Primary health care workers across Lagos, Oyo, and Kano States in Nigeria. This follow-up study, conducted 6–8 months post-training, assessed participants’ willingness and self-efficacy to transfer knowledge and skills through peer-led trainings. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was administered using a structured questionnaire. Cochran’s Q test assessed regional differences in barriers, facilitators, organizational factors, and post-training challenges, with Bonferroni-adjusted p values (α = 0.01) and Cramer’s V for effect sizes. Binary logistic regression was used to examine the associations between region and key training outcomes, reporting odds ratios (ORs), 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: Participants reported high perceived self-efficacy in oral health promotion: 93.3% (56/60) were “very confident” in training others and 95.0% (57/60) in promoting oral health. Facilitators included access to training materials (100.0%), and supportive work environments (86.7%). The barriers included a lack of resources (48.3%), and insufficient ongoing training (51.7%). Logistic regression indicated that participants in Lagos had significantly higher odds of reporting access to training resources (OR = 8.50, 95% CI: 3.27–24.70, p < 0.001, Cohen’s d = 1.43), time allocated for training (OR = 7.00, 95% CI: 1.71–28.67, p = 0.006, d = 0.77), and a supportive work environment (OR = 5.83, 95% CI: 1.56–21.82, p = 0.008, d = 0.72) compared with Kano, whereas the participants from Oyo had intermediate odds for these facilitators. Conclusion: PHCWs demonstrated strong self-efficacy and readiness for peer-led oral health initiatives. Long-term sustainability requires institutional support, including leadership engagement, structured integration into routine systems, and mechanisms for ongoing training and supervision, particularly in resource-limited regions.

DOI

10.1186/s12982-026-01560-7

Publication Date

12-1-2026

Recommended Citation

Oyapero, Afolabi; Lawal, Folake B.; Aborisade, Adetayo; Oladayo, Abimbola M.; Olujitan, Mojisola; Dedeke, Aderonke; Williams, Adeola T.; Adetula, Ifeoluwa; Lawal, Taiwo A.; Idiga, Ejiro; Ayoola, Emiola J.; Folushade, Ezekiel D.; Mohamed, Amina; Baffa, Amina; Tomoye, Gbemisola S.; Folorunso, Joshua A.; Egunjobi, Oluwafolakemi A.; and Butali, Azeez, "Willingness, self-efficacy, barriers, and facilitators to the provision of peer training on oral health education for nurses and community health workers in Nigeria" (2026). MOSDOH Faculty Publications. 213.
https://scholarworks.atsu.edu/mosdoh-faculty/213