Investigating Health Seeking Behaviour (HSB) among Undergraduates of Social Studies and Education in Kaduna State, Nigeria

Abstract

This paper investigates Health Seeking Behaviour [HSB] among Undergraduates of Social Studies and Education in Kaduna State, Nigeria. The study was born out of intellectual curiosity to unveil the way and manner students promote their health as well as handle health challenges or disease conditions. To achieve the aim of this study, two (2) research objectives and research questions each guided the study. The descriptive survey design was employed. The data were collected using a questionnaire and In-depth interview [IDI]. The quantitative data collected was analysed using descriptive statistics, while, the qualitative data was transcribed to support the discussion of quantitative data. The study found that students engage in positive health-seeking behaviour such as eating vegetables and fruits, self-care and personal hygiene, regular exercise/ physical activities, voluntary fasting as well and going for medical check-ups. However, self-medication, skipping medication, purchasing over-the-counter drugs and sleeping late at night among others as negative health behaviours among the students. Based on the findings, it was recommended among others that educational institutions should collaborate with health experts to incorporate health social work modules into the curriculum. These modules can cover topics such as preventive measures, mental health awareness, nutrition, and accessing healthcare services. By integrating health social work, students can develop a better understanding of their well-being, which will positively impact their overall learning experience in Kaduna State and the country at large.