Preventıve Healthcare Awareness among Non-Teachıng Staff in Federal College of Education, Abeokuta, Ogun State

Abstract

The rising trend and prevalence of non-communicable diseases in Nigeria are alarming, underscoring the need to increase awareness and promote the adoption of preventive healthcare services to enhance healthy living among employees and improve productivity. Therefore, this study assessed the awareness and utilization of preventive healthcare services among non-teaching staff of the Federal College of Education, Abeokuta, Ogun State. A cross-sectional analytical research design was employed and a total of 125 non-teaching staff members recruited with a stratified random sampling technique were used for this study. The sample size was proportionally allocated across the various subunits within the College. Data were collected using a self-developed questionnaire. The research questions were analyzed with frequencies percentage, mean standard deviation and the hypothesis was tested at a significance level of p < .05 with an independent samples t-test. The findings revealed that respondents’ awareness of preventive healthcare services was above average (M = 5.33, SD = 0.48). Blood pressure checks, weight checks, and Pap smear screening recorded high levels of uptake. Despite the high level of awareness observed among respondents, a statistically significant difference in utilization was found based on socio-demographic characteristics, t(118) = –2.861, p = .006, with a mean difference of –4.95. It was therefore recommended, among other measures, that non-teaching staff be specifically targeted through structured health promotion and education programs to improve consistent utilization of preventive healthcare services and encourage the adoption of healthy lifestyle practices, thereby enhancing productivity within the educational environment.