THE INFLUENCE OF HEALTH BELIEFS ON ADOPTION OF PREVENTIVE HEALTH PRACTICES AMONG ADULTS IN EGOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, EDO STATE

Preventive health practices are vital in reducing the burden of communicable and non- communicable diseases. Health beliefs significantly influence individuals’ decisions to adopt these practices. In Nigeria, a gap often exists between awareness and actual adoption due to cultural, spiritual, and socioeconomic factors. This study examined the influence of health beliefs on the adoption of preventive health practices among adults in Egor Local Government Area, Edo State. A descriptive cross-sectional design was employed, and 384 adults were selected through a multistage sampling technique. Structured questionnaires were administered, with 373 valid responses obtained, yielding a 97.1% response rate. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26.0. Descriptive and inferential statistics summarized socio-demographic characteristics, awareness, adoption levels, and health beliefs. The chi- square test examined the relationship between awareness and adoption. Findings revealed that 93% of respondents had good awareness of preventive health practices, but only 44% demonstrated high adoption, showing a knowledge-practice gap. Among those with poor awareness (7%), adoption was similarly low. The chi-square test (χ² = 6.785, df = 1, p = 0.08) showed no significant relationship between awareness and adoption. However, 63% held favorable health beliefs, and 70% acknowledged that these beliefs influenced their practice adoption, highlighting their mediating role in translating knowledge into behavior. Despite high awareness and positive beliefs, adoption remains suboptimal due to cultural, spiritual, and socioeconomic barriers. Culturally sensitive, community-based interventions, health education, and behavior-focused nursing strategies are essential to bridge the gap. Policies should enhance accessibility and affordability of preventive services. Future research should explore qualitative and longitudinal approaches to understand barriers more deeply.