Preventive Health Evaluation in Underserved Occupational Environment

Abstract

Background: The health of medical doctors (MDs) has been the focus of global concern in addition to the recently modified physician oath now called “The Modern Physician Pledge.” As a member of human family, MDs are also prone to diseases they manage in healthcare environment. Objectives: The study was aimed at describing the practice, facilitators, barriers, and benefits of preventive health evaluation (PHE) in a cross-section of medical practitioners in Nigeria. Methodology: A cross-sectional study done on 178 MDs in Nigeria. Data collection was done using pretested, self-administered questionnaire that elicited information on practice, facilitators, barriers, and benefits of PHE. Self-rated health status was also studied. Practice of PHE was inquired in previous one year. Results: The age of the respondents ranged from 25 to 72 (36 ± 10.2) years. There were 161 (90.5%) males. All the respondents were aware of PHE. One hundred and fifty-five (87.1%) respondents rated their overall health then as excellent; 142 (79.8%) rated their overall health compared to 6 months ago as excellent, while 169 (94.9%) rated their overall health compared to others of their age as excellent. Generally, in all ages and both sexes, the most common PHE was blood pressure (BP) measurements (100%). The commonest female sex-specific PHE was self-breast examinations (100%). Among the males, the most common male-specific PHE was testicular self-examinations (87.0%). The commonest facilitator and barrier were family history of hereditary diseases (100%) and financial restraints (82.0%), respectively. The most common benefit was early detection of diseases (100%). Conclusion: Awareness of PHE was 100% but didn't translate to comparative practice orientation. The most common general PHE was BP checks. The commonest female and male sex-specific PHE was self-breast and testicular examinations respectively. The predominant facilitator and barrier were family history of hereditary diseases and financial restraints. The most common benefit was early detection of diseases.