Socio-Economic Determinants of the Utilization of Healthcare Services in the Wushishi Local Government Area of Niger State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigated the socioeconomic factors influencing the utilization of healthcare services in the Wushishi Local Government Area of Niger State. The study became necessary due to the decline of key health indicators in the State. Primary and secondary data were used to conduct the research. The primary data were collected through a questionnaire, while the secondary data were sourced from the Niger State Ministry of Health and National Population Commission. The results were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, including frequency distribution, chi-square tests, and multinomial logistic regression. Purposive sampling, was used to administer 400 questionnaire copies to the respondents. The study revealed significant differences in educational attainment, income, and age of respondents in relation to their use of healthcare services between the four healthcare service providers as well as between the two study areas. The findings of the multinomial logistic regression analysis for the Sabon Gari ward indicated that income, occupation, educational attainment, and deciders and payers of treatment had significant impacts on the choice and utilization of healthcare services. In the case of the Maito ward, the results indicated the significance of occupation, age, income, number of children, and deciders and payers of treatment in influencing the choice and utilization of healthcare services. Several factors influence the choice and utilization of healthcare services within the study area. Therefore, state government should provide adequate health education campaigns for citizens, reduce the financial burden of medical treatment, empower young women to afford treatment costs, and ensure the accessibility of healthcare services to the people.