CULTURAL LAG AND ATTITUDES OF HEALTH EDUCATION STUDENTS TOWARDS CONTEMPORARY HEALTH PRACTICES IN ANAMBRA STATE
Keywords:
Cultural lag, Health education, Contemporary health practices, Student attitudes, Tertiary institutions.Abstract
The study examined the influence of cultural lag on the attitudes of Health Education students
toward contemporary health practices in tertiary institutions in Anambra State. Two research
questions guided the stud and one hypothesis was tested. The study adopted a descriptive survey
design. A population of 350 third-year Health Education students from selected tertiary institutions
in Anambra State participated in the study. Two researcher-developed questionnaires were used to
collect data: one on cultural lag and the other on attitudes toward contemporary health practices.
The study was guided by two research questions and one hypothesis. Data were analysed using
mean scores, standard deviation, and simple regression analysis. The findings revealed a high
prevalence of cultural lag and a significant influence of cultural lag on students’ attitudes toward
modern health practices. It was concluded that despite exposure to health education, cultural lag
significantly influences Health Education students' attitude towards contemporary health practices
in tertiary institutions in Anambra State. Curriculum planners, institutional heads, and health
education stakeholders should develop culturally responsive strategies that bridge the gap between
traditional beliefs and modern health practices.
