FACTORS MILITATING AGAINST THE UTILIZATION OF MICRO HEALTH SERVICES IN THE NIGER DELTA REGION, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study evaluated the Factors Militating against the Utilization of Micro Health Services in the Niger Delta Region, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to: describe the personal characteristics of the beneficiaries of the health services, ascertain the factors militating against the utilization of the health services by the beneficiaries and determine the impact of the health services on the well-being of the beneficiaries. Data for the study were collected from Imo, Akwa-Ibom and Abia States. Primary data for the study were obtained from a structured questionnaire and response recorded from the respondents during Focus Group Discussions (FGDs). The respondents were the beneficiaries of the healthcare services and personnel of the various health centres. They were selected using the multistage sampling techniques from which a total of 300 respondents were chosen. However, 270 questionnaires were returned and used for analysis. Percentages mean score; multiple regression and one way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) were employed for data analysis. The major findings showed that majority of the respondents in their active ages comprised of more female who acquired more education than the male.  On primary occupation, (39.2%, 47.1% and 57.6%) of the respondents in Imo, Akwa-Ibom and Abia States respectively were into farming and also belonged to different organizations and more to the religious organization. Based on the findings from the study, some of the conclusions drawn were; that: the study revealed a general level of dissatisfaction on the part of the respondents with the health care project.  The was because they were neither contented nor happy with the impact of the health project on their well-being, Health Service personnel across the three states of Imo, Akwa-Ibom and Abia expressed dissatisfaction in their job conditions.  Job dissatisfaction had effect on personnel attitude to work and further access and utilization of the health care services by the respondents. Hence, the study therefore recommended that the condition of service of the health services personnel should be adequately addressed so that their performance in the discharge of their duties will be enhanced, Governments (Federal, State and Local Government) in sitting primary health projects should always aimed at addressing the well- being of the vulnerable groups such as youth, women and the elderly and Health centre projects should be properly conceptualized, to allay the fear, misconception and lack of confidence of the people in the health care services and further improve their access to the health care services.