Demographic Determinants of the Effect of Health Education on the Adoption of Stress Coping Strategies Among Christian Clergy in the Okigwe Senatorial Zone of Imo State, Nigeria

Christina Ihekweme; Prof. E.I Achalu; Prof E.U.Asogwa

doi:10.56201/ijhpr.vol.11.no2.2026.pg54.65

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Demographic Determinants of the Effect of Health Education on the Adoption of Stress Coping Strategies Among Christian Clergy in the Okigwe Senatorial Zone of Imo State, Nigeria

Christina Ihekweme, Prof. E.I Achalu and Prof E.U.Asogwa

Abstract

This study examined the demographic determinants of the effect of health education on the adoption of stress coping strategies among Christian clergy in the Okigwe Senatorial Zone of Imo State, Nigeria. A quasi-experimental, descriptive research design using a cross-sectional survey approach was employed. The study population comprised 297 clergy from 21 recognized denominations, from which a sample of 170 participants was drawn using simple random sampling. Data were collected through a validated questionnaire, the Sources of Stress and Coping Strategies among Christian Clergy Questionnaire (SSCSCCQ), administered at pre-test and post-test stages of a six-week health education intervention. Multiple regression and ANOVA analyses revealed that demographic characteristics; age, gender, marital status, education, work experience, and church size significantly influenced both knowledge and adoption of stress coping strategies (p < .05). While health education effectively improved stress coping behaviours, its impact varied across demographic groups. Notably, older clergy, male clergy, married clergy, and clergy in larger churches showed differences in responsiveness to the intervention. No overall interaction effect between demographic traits and health education outcomes was observed, though individual demographic variables significantly shaped adoption levels. The study concludes that health education is effective but should be tailored to clergy’s demographic characteristics to maximize adoption of stress coping strategies. Recommendations include designing demographically sensitive programs, fostering peer mentorship, and promoting work– life balance initiatives.

Keywords

Health EducationStress Coping StrategiesDemographic DeterminantsChristian Clergy

References

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Demographic Determinants of the Effect of Health Education on the Adoption of Stress Coping Strategies Among Christian Clergy in the Okigwe Senatorial Zone of Imo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Keywords

References

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