Routine Checkup among Academic Staff of Abia State University, Uturu

Abstract

Background: Routine health checkups are essential for the early detection and management of diseases, yet their uptake remains suboptimal among many professionals. This study assessed the knowledge and practice of routine health checkups among academic staff at Abia State University, Uturu. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional design was adopted, and data were collected from 277 academic staff using a structured, self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and the Chi-square test of independence were used to analyse respondents’ level of awareness, frequency and types of checkups practiced, perceived barriers, and factors influencing utilization. Results: Findings showed that a high level of awareness of routine health checkups among respondents (93.1%). However, key barriers to utilisation included lack of time due to workload (56.0%), high cost of medical tests (46.9%), and fear of discovering illness (27.4%). Despite these challenges, there was a strong institutional support, as most respondents expressed willingness to participate in free or subsidized health checkups organised by the university (93.5%). No significant association was found between the frequency of routine health checkups and selected socio-demographic characteristics (p > 0.05). Conclusion: The study concludes that while awareness and interest in routine health checkups are high among academic staff, actual practice is limited by modifiable barriers. It recommends targeted health education, institutional wellness policies, and provision of subsidized medical screenings to improve uptake and enhance staff well-being.