Communicable and Non-Communicable Disease Burden among Students: Current State, Worthy Knowledge and Implications of Health Literacy

Offiah, Rorkeek Michael; Orisa-Couple, Amba Marian; Jones, Emmanuella Awajinombek; Jeremiah, Catherine Ugwem; Obia, Joyce Chisa; Ikwut-Ukwa, Adela Uganwa; Jones, Gloria Stanley

Communicable and Non-Communicable Disease Burden among Students: Current State, Worthy Knowledge and Implications of Health Literacy

Rorkeek Michael OffiahCorrespondingDepartment of Public Health, School of Public Health Technology, Rivers State College of Health Science and Management Technology, Port Harcourt

Amba Marian Orisa-CoupleDepartment of Public Health, School of Public Health Technology, Rivers State College of Health Science and Management Technology, Port Harcourt

Emmanuella Awajinombek JonesKubwa General Hospital, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria

Catherine Ugwem JeremiahDepartment of Public Health, School of Public Health Technology, Rivers State College of Health Science and Management Technology, Port Harcourt

Joyce Chisa ObiaDepartment of Public Health, School of Public Health Technology, Rivers State College of Health Science and Management Technology, Port Harcourt

Adela Uganwa Ikwut-UkwaDepartment of Public Health, School of Public Health Technology, Rivers State College of Health Science and Management Technology, Port Harcourt

Gloria Stanley JonesDepartment of Public Health, School of Public Health Technology, Rivers State College of Health Science and Management Technology, Port Harcourt

Vol. 2, Issue 1Pages 137–147Social Sciences & EducationPublished 30 June 2026

Abstract

This work examined “Communicable and Non-Communicable Disease Burden among Students: Current state, Worthy Knowledge and Implications of Health Literacy”. The double burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) posed a significant challenge to public health in Nigeria and globally. This paper evaluated the health risks students face, emphasizing the importance of health literacy in disease prevention. The study noted communicable diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS remained prevalent along with re-emerging diseases, particularly among vulnerable populations worldwide worsening mortality rates and poverty status. The NCDs including hypertension, diabetes, cancers, and cardiovascular disorders were found to be rising due to urbanization, unhealthy lifestyles, and sedentary behaviours accounting for 74% of annual deaths globally. Health-literate students appeared better equipped to adopt preventive behaviours, seek timely healthcare, and influence peers and communities positively. The study underlined the need for comprehensive health education, functional school health units, and digital health literacy programmes to reduce disease burden among students. Strengthening student knowledge on both communicable and non-communicable diseases clearly aligned with ‘Sustainable Development Goal 3’, ultimately supporting healthier educational environments, improved academic outcomes, and long-term societal development. The dare need for provision of accessible health services, including routine screenings, mental health counselling, and early disease detection programmes as well as integrating comprehensive health education into secondary and tertiary educational curricula to teach students early on lifestyle risk factors, and preventive behaviours about these diseases were advocated.

Keywords

disease burdendouble burdenhealth literacy rolesrecent statestudents’ noteworthy knowledge

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Cite this article

APA

Offiah, R. M., Orisa-Couple, A. M., Jones, E. A., Jeremiah, C. U., Obia, J. C., Ikwut-Ukwa, A. U., Jones, G. S. (2026). Communicable and Non-Communicable Disease Burden among Students: Current State, Worthy Knowledge and Implications of Health Literacy. Port Harcourt Journal of Innovations in General Studies, 2(1), 137–147.

MLA

Offiah, Rorkeek Michael, et al.. “Communicable and Non-Communicable Disease Burden among Students: Current State, Worthy Knowledge and Implications of Health Literacy.” Port Harcourt Journal of Innovations in General Studies, vol. 2, no. 1, 2026, pp. 137–147.

Chicago

Offiah, Rorkeek Michael, Amba Marian Orisa-Couple, Emmanuella Awajinombek Jones, Catherine Ugwem Jeremiah, Joyce Chisa Obia, Adela Uganwa Ikwut-Ukwa, Gloria Stanley Jones. “Communicable and Non-Communicable Disease Burden among Students: Current State, Worthy Knowledge and Implications of Health Literacy.” Port Harcourt Journal of Innovations in General Studies 2, no. 1 (2026): 137–147.

BibTeX

@article{offiah2026,
  title     = {Communicable and Non-Communicable Disease Burden among Students: Current State, Worthy Knowledge and Implications of Health Literacy},
  author    = {Offiah, Rorkeek Michael and Orisa-Couple, Amba Marian and Jones, Emmanuella Awajinombek and Jeremiah, Catherine Ugwem and Obia, Joyce Chisa and Ikwut-Ukwa, Adela Uganwa and Jones, Gloria Stanley},
  journal   = {Port Harcourt Journal of Innovations in General Studies},
  volume    = {2},
  number    = {1},
  pages     = {137–147},
  year      = {2026},
  issn      = {3093-0847}
}

RIS

TY  - JOUR
TI  - Communicable and Non-Communicable Disease Burden among Students: Current State, Worthy Knowledge and Implications of Health Literacy
AU  - Offiah, Rorkeek Michael
AU  - Orisa-Couple, Amba Marian
AU  - Jones, Emmanuella Awajinombek
AU  - Jeremiah, Catherine Ugwem
AU  - Obia, Joyce Chisa
AU  - Ikwut-Ukwa, Adela Uganwa
AU  - Jones, Gloria Stanley
JO  - Port Harcourt Journal of Innovations in General Studies
VL  - 2
IS  - 1
SP  - 137
EP  - 147
PY  - 2026
SN  - 3093-0847
AB  - This work examined “Communicable and Non-Communicable Disease Burden among Students: Current state, Worthy Knowledge and Implications of Health Literacy”. The double burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) posed a significant challenge to public health in Nigeria and globally. This paper evaluated the health risks students face, emphasizing the importance of health literacy in disease prevention. The study noted communicable diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS remained prevalent along with re-emerging diseases, particularly among vulnerable populations worldwide worsening mortality rates and poverty status. The NCDs including hypertension, diabetes, cancers, and cardiovascular disorders were found to be rising due to urbanization, unhealthy lifestyles, and sedentary behaviours accounting for 74% of annual deaths globally. Health-literate students appeared better equipped to adopt preventive behaviours, seek timely healthcare, and influence peers and communities positively. The study underlined the need for comprehensive health education, functional school health units, and digital health literacy programmes to reduce disease burden among students. Strengthening student knowledge on both communicable and non-communicable diseases clearly aligned with ‘Sustainable Development Goal 3’, ultimately supporting healthier educational environments, improved academic outcomes, and long-term societal development. The dare need for provision of accessible health services, including routine screenings, mental health counselling, and early disease detection programmes as well as integrating comprehensive health education into secondary and tertiary educational curricula to teach students early on lifestyle risk factors, and preventive behaviours about these diseases were advocated.
ER  -

Article Info

Type: Theoretical
ISSN: 3093-0847
Authors: Rorkeek Michael Offiah, Amba Marian Orisa-Couple, Emmanuella Awajinombek Jones, Catherine Ugwem Jeremiah, Joyce Chisa Obia, Adela Uganwa Ikwut-Ukwa, Gloria Stanley Jones