CORRELATION BETWEEN RELIGIOUS COMMITMENT AND HEALTHCARE SEEKING BEHAVIOR AMONG THE YOUTH IN SOUTHEAST NIGERIA

Religion is widely understood to play an essential role in young peoples behaviors, making it a significant factor in the discourse on youth health-promoting behaviors. Perhaps, there isa growing indication that young people are less likely to engage in health-promoting behaviors. The present study examined the role of religious commitment on the health-seeking behaviors of the youth in southeast Nigeria. Three hundred and nineteen respondents randomly selected from three states (Enugu, Anambra, and Ebonyi states) participated in the study. The participants completed a self-report measure of health-seeking behavior and religious commitment inventory. The simple regression analysis conducted on the data revealed that RC significantly predicted HSB. The study concludes that RC is an essential correlate of HSB in youth. Policymakers and healthcare providers can use religious institutions to promote positive health behavior among youth in southeast Nigeria.