Ugwu Cosmas Uchenna^1,, Ofuebe Justina Ifeoma¹, Umoke Prince Christian¹, Samson Olaoluwa Agbaje¹

The teaching profession is a noble profession that requires a well-defined attitude from the professionals in educational institutions. The study determined the attitude of health educators towards their role as teaching professionals in tertiary institutions in Southeast Nigeria. The study was guided by five research questions and four null hypotheses. Relevant literature was reviewed and properly documented. The study was based on the descriptive survey research method. Two hundred and fifty health educators constituted the sample size. A five-point attitude scale questionnaire, and guided by an extensive literature review was used for data collection. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics involving mean score, standard deviation and t-Test statistical tools. The result showed that the attitude of health educators towards their role as teaching professionals in tertiary institutions in Southeast Nigeria is favourable. The study also revealed that the attitude of males, above 21 years of teaching experience, urban and higher degree health educators towards teaching profession is favourable while the attitude of females, with less than 21 years teaching experience, rural and first degree health educators is unfavourable. Statistically, it was found that significant differences exist between variables of the respondents. The study concluded that this paper in its modest and humble efforts has attempted to awaken the consciousness of health educators by establishing their attitude towards their role as teaching professionals in tertiary institutions. The favourable attitude exhibited by the health educators in the present study is an indication that all the training, programmes and prospects put in place for their professional development is satisfactorily serving its purposes and therefore buttressing the need for enhancement strategies for sustenance in achieving the goal of health education as a discipline and education at large.

variables, attitude, teaching profession, health educators, tertiary institutions, Nigeria