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.