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Introduction: Regular health check-up is important for workers because it leads to the promotion of health and reduction in morbidity and mortality; with a consequent reduction in economic drain caused by diseases. Although there is easy access to health-check by nurses who work in hospitals, and for soldiers who are placed on National Health Insurance scheme, in Nigeria, this does not necessarily translate into action. The objective of this study was to determine as well as compare the perception and practice of regular health check-ups among military workers and nurses.

Methodology: This study utilized a descriptive study design and took place at Ibadan in South western Nigeria. A structured questionnaire was used in eliciting information from Respondents in Letmauck Army Cantonment, Mokola and Adeoyo Maternity Hospital, Yemetu, both in Ibadan. Respondents were recruited through a convenience sampling technique. In all, 76 nurses and 179 military workers took part in the study. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 17.

Results: Respondents were more of male (68.6%) than females. The mean age was 29.2 (± 6.5). All the Respondents knew about regular health check-up, but only 27.6% of nurses and 20.1% of military workers actually practiced regular health check-up, hence the level of practice is low. The commonest health checks carried out were blood pressure check, eye examination and various blood tests. Majority (65.5%) claimed that fear of being diagnosed with a medical condition affects their use of health checks. There was no statistically significant association between the practice of health checks by nurses and military workers. However, educational status significantly affected the practice of health check - ups.

Conclusion: Even though all the Respondents knew about health checks, the practice was low due to various reasons. There is need to design and implement programmes geared towards promoting health - care checks among both nurses and military workers.