From Pulpit to Clinic: Health‐Seeking Behaviours of Clergymen in South‐Eastern Nigeria

Introduction: Health-seeking behaviour can be defined as any activity that individuals who perceive themselves to have a health problem or to be ill undertake to find an appropriate remedy. This study assessed health-seeking behaviour among clergymen in South-Eastern Nigeria to understand how to better improve their health and care for them.

Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 180 clergymen in Nnewi-North, South-Eastern Nigeria.  Information was obtained using a semi-structured, interviewer-administered, anonymous, and validated questionnaire. The study population comprised clergymen from the 3 main denominations (Catholic, Anglican, and Pentecostal). A random and simple sampling technique was used to enroll the respondents in the study. The data collected was analyzed using SPSS version 24. Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied where necessary.

Results: The mean age of the respondents was 43.4±10.6 years. The majority of the respondents (97.2%) had a good perception of the different dimensions of health, as well as good practice of health-seeking behaviour (78.9%). It was found that the seriousness of the illness and the availability or quality of services in the health facilities were the major factors that influenced their health-seeking behaviour practices.

Conclusion: This study underscores the centrality of clergies as health influencers in African communities, blending holistic health perceptions with evolving biomedical engagement. While denominational and educational factors shape practices, the rejection of spiritual fatalism signals a promising shift toward integrative care. By aligning interventions with clergy’s cultural and theological frameworks, policymakers can harness their pivotal role in advancing public health goals.