PERCEIVED CONSTRAINTS TO EFFECTIVE UTILIZATION OF PRIMARY HEALTH CARE SERVICES

 The purpose of this study was to investigate the constraints to effective utilization of Primary health care services in Kaduna State. The population of the study comprises all adults in twenty three local government areas of Kaduna state. A random sample of twelve local government areas were selected. Furthermore, a stratified random sampling was employed in selecting 360 adults (male and female) of 18 years and above from urban and rural areas in Kaduna state. The ex-post facto research design was used for this study.

The instrument used was a questionnaire developed by the researcher and validated by experts. Six null hypotheses were stated to find out if there is any significant difference in the perceived constraints to effective utilization of primary health care services in Kaduna State. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and a t-test statistic were used to test the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The major finding from the study reveal that: 1) It was discovered that accessibility, acceptability, affordability and availability were perceived by the respondents as constraints to effective utilization of primary health care services. 2) It was also revealed that no significant difference existed between the respondents of different age groups, socio economic status, gender, educational background and location in their perception of the accessibility, acceptability, affordability and availability as – 7 – constraints in the effective utilization of primary health care services.

 3) Socio-economic status and sex had significant influence in the respondents perception of constraints for effective utilisation of primary health care services. Based on the findings, recommendations were made which included the followings: 1) Primary health care services should be made available to all Local Governments in Kaduna State. 2) Primary health care service should be accessible. 3) It should be closer to the consumer so that the issue of transportation will be minimized. 4) The services rendered should be acceptable culturally and religiously. 5) The services should be appropriate to the local technology. 6) State Ministry of Health and Management Board to begin on sensitisation campaign across the state particularly in the rural areas.

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