Why Healthcare Workers Delay Care: A Comparison of Clinical and Non-clinical Staff in Ondo State, Nigeria

Background Healthcare workers (HCWs) are essential to health system functioning, yet they often neglect their own health due to workload, long shifts, staff shortages, and occupational risks. These factors may lead to delayed care, self-medication, and missed diagnoses, sometimes resulting in preventable morbidity and sudden deaths. This study assessed differences in health-seeking behaviour and healthcare service utilisation between clinical and non-clinical HCWs in tertiary hospitals in Ondo State, Nigeria, and examined the determinants of their care-seeking patterns. Methods A comparative, facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 230 clinical and 230 non-clinical HCWs selected using a two-stage sampling technique. Quantitative data were collected using pretested, semi-structured questionnaires and analysed with descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and binary logistic regression at a 5% significance level. Qualitative data from Key Informant Interviews were analysed thematically using NVivo 14. Results Clinical HCWs were significantly younger than non-clinical HCWs (56.5% vs. 36.5% <40 years; p < 0.001). Poor health behaviour was more common among clinical than non-clinical HCWs (82.6% vs. 68.7%; p = 0.001). Inappropriate health-seeking behaviour was also higher among clinical HCWs (87.4% vs. 80.0%; p = 0.032). Overall healthcare utilisation was low in both groups (82.2% vs. 83.9% poor utilisation; p = 0.619). Predictors of good utilisation among clinical HCWs included regular medication use (AOR = 5.52), appropriate health-seeking behaviour (AOR = 4.87), and health insurance (AOR = 2.63). Among non-clinical HCWs, prior consultation with a doctor and appropriate health-seeking behaviour were significant predictors. Conclusion Both clinical and non-clinical HCWs exhibited poor health-seeking behaviour and low utilisation of healthcare services, despite good self-perceived health status. Addressing behavioural, organisational, and structural barriers is essential to enhance timely care-seeking among HCWs. Targeted institutional and policy interventions that promote preventive care, routine screening, and supportive work environments are recommended.