Abstract
OBJECTIVES: This study seeks to examine the health status of widows and investigate its effect on their participation in community development projects.
 
 METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on the widows and non-widows in six communities out of the 18 communities in Nsukka local government area of Enugu state, Nigeria from 15 January to 29 March 2019. The respondents were tested clinically based on the following health indices; blood pressure, blood sugar level, malaria parasite and typhoid. The widows were also asked the extent to which their health conditions affect their participation in community development projects. 
 
 RESULTS: The mean blood pressure level of the widows is 160.2100.4Mm/Hg  while their mean blood sugar level is 129.8 Mg/dl. 55% of the widows tested positive to typhoid while another 53% tested positive to malaria parasite. Majority (72%) of the widows revealed that health condition such as poor eye sight; arthritis; rheumatism; high blood pressure; diabetes; malaria; typhoid; cough and ulcer limit their participation in community development projects. 
 
 CONCLUSIONS: The widows in Nsukka have a poor health status when compared to the non-widows in the region, which to a great extent, limits their participation in the community development projects available to them. Therefore, there is a very strong correlation between the health status of widows in Nsukka and their participation in the community development projects.
Highlights
Health does not just imply the absence of disease or infirmity; it means a condition of complete physical, mental, and social well-being (WHO, 1948)
Majority (72%) of the widows revealed that health condition such as poor eye sight; arthritis; rheumatism; high blood pressure; diabetes; malaria; typhoid; cough and ulcer limit their participation in community development projects
The widows in Nsukka have a poor health status when compared to the non-widows in the region, which to a great extent, limits their participation in the community development projects available to them
Summary
Health does not just imply the absence of disease or infirmity; it means a condition of complete physical, mental, and social well-being (WHO, 1948). Health is said to exist when an individual has the physical, mental, social, and spiritual ability to perform his duties adequately within the environment in which he/she lives (Anna et al, 2017). The level of functionality of an individual depends on his/her health status. Health status is the level of wellness or illness of a person or group of persons; in determining the health status of an individual, the presence of biological dysfunction, symptoms, and functional impairment are put into consideration (American Thoracic Society, 2019). To maintain a stable health status, there is need for peace, food, shelter and adequate economic resources (WHO, 1986). Research evidence has proved that these necessary requirements for the maintenance of stable health condition become more difficult in the state of widowhood, which is often associated with poverty and need in Nigeria (Eboiyehi, 2008)
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