Abstract

AWARENESS, PRACTICE AND OTHER CORRELATES OF HEALTH CHECKS AMONG ADULT RESIDENTS OF MARARABA, KARU L.G.A, NASARAWA STATE, NIGERIA

Olim Godwin Odey*, Eniojukan Joshua Funsho and Oparah Cyriacus Azuka

ABSTRACT

Routine health checkup is considered as a preventive practice aimed at decreasing morbidity and mortality through early identification of disease risk factors. Objectives: This study aimed at assessing the level of awareness, attitude, practice and related factors about health checks among 164 randomly selected adult residents of Mararaba in Nasarawa state of Nigeria. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out; data were collected through self-administered structured questionnaire and analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Science (IBM) version 21. Results: Respondents were males (53%), aged 40 years and above, married (65.9%), engaged in business (62.8%) and had tertiary education (64.6%) All respondents were aware of health checks to varying extent depending on the type; overall awareness was 34.9%; awareness was highest for Blood pressure (89%), Blood analysis (65.3%), Blood sugar (54.9%); awareness was poor for Occult blood in stool (5.5%), Cervical (7.3%) and Prostate (9.8%) tests. Practice of health check was poor ((17.7%). The most practiced health checks were Blood pressure/pulse rate (57.9%) and Body weight (33.5%); the least practiced health checks were Stool microscopy (3.0%), Glaucoma/Cataract (4.2%) and Cervical test (4.3%). Majority (79.9%) had a positive attitude to health check; lack of signs/symptoms of a disease (34.1%), long working hours (26.2%) and economic factors (15.8%) were reported as barriers to health checks; frequent alcohol use (45, 43%), lack of exercise (39%) and smoking (18%) were identified risk factors; community pharmacists were reported to be involved in health checks through recommendations, referrals and actual performance of health checks. Conclusion: General awareness and practice of health checks were poor. The attitude was however positive. Community pharmacists have a crucial role to play. There is need for massive educational and enlightenment programme to enhance awareness, knowledge and practice of health checks among residents of Mararaba.

Keywords: Awareness, practice, health checks, Nigeria.