Physical access and utilization of primary health care services in rural Nigeria
Douglason G. Omotor, Delta State University
Study examines the relationship between different measures of physical access and the impact of these measures on family planning and vaccination of children in rural Urhobo region of Delta State, Nigeria. It also assesses how healthcare services are utilized by beneficiaries in the region. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in three villages with ninety-six households selected randomly from August 1, to September 30, 2010. The results show that accessible distance and utilization of health facilities decreased as the distance increased.Results also report that participants in Village 1 had availed approximately (28% < 6km) of trained manpower for family planning services, Village 2 (31%, < 5km) and Village 3 (22%, < 7.5km. The implications of the findings suggest the need to strengthen and target children who live away from health facilities; reduce accessible distance for seeking healthcare by establishing more sub-healthcare centers that are closer to the people.
Presented in Poster Session 1