Research Article

CAREER ASPIRATION AS A PREDICTOR OF HEALTH-SEEKING BEHAVIOUR AMONG FEMALE PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS IN OSUN STATE, NIGERIA

Olusanya James OJO1*
1 Department of Educational Foundations and Counselling, University of Ilesa, Osun State, Nigeria.
* Corresponding author: james_ojo@unilesa.edu.ng
Published: Jun, 2026
Pages: 173-179
Views: 13
Downloads: 16

Abstract

Despite increasing emphasis on healthy lifestyle practices such as adequate nutrition, regular physical activity,and routine medical check-ups, unhealthy health-seeking behaviours remain prevalent among workingpopulations. This study examined career aspiration as a predictor of health-seeking behaviour among femalesecondary school teachers in Osun State, Nigeria. A descriptive survey research design was adopted. Thepopulation comprised all female secondary school teachers in Osun State. A sample of 300 respondents wasselected from twenty-three secondary schools across five local government areas using a multi-stage samplingtechnique. The sample size was determined using the Taro Yamane (1967) formula to ensure adequacy andrepresentativeness. Data were collected using validated Career Aspiration and Health-Seeking Behaviour scales.Data analysis was conducted using Pearson Product-Moment Correlation and simple linear regression at the 0.05level of significance. Findings revealed a significant positive relationship between career aspiration and healthseekingbehaviour (r = .34, p < .05). Career aspiration accounted for approximately 22% of the variance in healthseekingbehaviour and significantly predicted it (β = .30, t = 5.85, p < .05). This indicates that higher careeraspiration is associated with better health-seeking behaviour. The study concludes that career aspirationsignificantly influences health-seeking behaviour among female teachers. It recommends strengthening careerdevelopment programmes and workplace health interventions to enhance both professional growth and healthoutcomes.

Keywords

Career aspiration; Health-seeking behaviour; Female secondary school teachers; Workplace health interventions; Psychological factors

References

  1. Adepoju, O., & Adesina, T. (2021). Barriers to healthcare utilisation and self-medication practices in developing countries. International Journal of Health Studies, 9(2), 55–68.
  2. Al-Bahrani, A. (2020). Determinants of career aspiration among young adults: A socio-educational perspective. Journal of Career Development Studies, 12(1), 33–47.
  3. Aziz, S. (2025). Educational opportunities and career aspiration development among students. International Journal of Educational Research and Development, 18(1), 21–35.
  4. Elfaki, A. (2024). Access to healthcare and treatment-seeking behaviour in developing countries. Global Health Review, 16(2), 112–125.
  5. Isiaq, A. T., & Abdullahi, M. B. (2025). Assessment of Health-Seeking Behavior on Maternal and Child Health among Nursing Mothers in Public Primary Health Care Centres in Kwara State, Nigeria. Zamfara International Journal of Education (ZIJE), 5(6), 1-6. https://doi.org/10.64348/zije.2025213
  6. Kickbusch, I. (2021). Health literacy and health promotion in modern societies. Health Promotion International, 36(2), 1–10.
  7. Mohd Rasdi, R., & Ahrari, S. (2020). Social Cognitive Career Theory and career development: A review. Journal of Vocational Behaviour, 122, 103–114.
  8. Mostajeran, F. (2025). Psychological traits and career development outcomes among professionals. Journal of Applied Psychology and Behavioural Studies, 19(2), 88–102.
  9. Oche, M. (2024). Health awareness and healthcare utilisation behaviour in developing countries. African Journal of Public Health, 11(1), 44–58.
  10. Onuoha, C. (2024). Gender roles and healthcare access among women in Nigeria. Journal of Gender and Health Studies, 13(1), 66–79.
  11. Onyemaechi, C., & Ezenwaka, C. (2022). Determinants of healthcare utilisation in Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Health Sciences, 10(2), 90–104.
  12. Salifu, A., & Owoyemi, J. (2024). Socio-economic determinants of health-seeking behaviour in Nigeria. African Journal of Health and Behavioural Sciences, 15(1), 25–39.
  13. Silva, M., & Taveira, M. (2025). Career aspiration and professional development in teaching. International Journal of Educational Psychology, 17(2), 60–74.
  14. Umami, R. (2023). Career motivation and health behaviour linkage among professionals. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 18(3), 145–158.
  15. Wangeshi, L. (2025). Occupational commitment and health behaviour in working populations. International Journal of Workplace Health Studies, 20(1), 70–84.
  16. World Health Organisation. (2022). World health statistics 2022: Monitoring health for the SDGs. WHO Press.
How to Cite

OJO, O. J. (2026). CAREER ASPIRATION AS A PREDICTOR OF HEALTH-SEEKING BEHAVIOUR AMONG FEMALE PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS IN OSUN STATE, NIGERIA. Journal of Educational Research and Development, 21(1), 173-179.

O. J. OJO, "CAREER ASPIRATION AS A PREDICTOR OF HEALTH-SEEKING BEHAVIOUR AMONG FEMALE PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS IN OSUN STATE, NIGERIA," Journal of Educational Research and Development, vol. 21, no. 1, pp. 173-179, June 2026.

Share this article:
Facebook X / Twitter LinkedIn
Download PDF View Full Text (PDF) Back to Articles