WORLD JOURNAL OF ADVANCE
HEALTHCARE RESEARCH

Dr. Pius Izundu Okpoko*

ABSTRACT

Background: Most people access care globally through the Primary health care (PHC) which is the first point of contact with health care professionals. Given that the uptake of PHC in Nigeria is low, this research investigated factors affecting patient access to PHC facilities by analysing patient experience as they access PHC facilities in Ado - Ekiti, Nigeria. Methods: A cross-sectional study design that employed the use of quantitative survey method. The participants were 321 Patients who access PHC facilities in Ado – Ekiti for routine medical care. A questionnaire was administered to each of the participants as they accessed the facilities within the PHC settings in Ado - Ekiti. The questionnaire measured outcome of patient-doctor relationship, barriers and difficulties to access, and accessibility to care. Results: More females (79%) and the age group of 18 to 28 years (51.9%) accessed primary health care facilities more than their counterparts do. ‘Empathy’ was the only significant and predictive variable associated with ‘improvement in physical and mental state after the visit to the doctor’. Also, ‘attitude of staff’ was the only predictive factor that showed significant association with ‘arranging for appointment to the doctor’. Conclusion: ‘Empathy’ and ‘attitude of staff’ were found to be independent predictors of access to care. Therefore, strategies that target improvement in patients’ experience of PHC, and subsequently, access to PHC facilities should be directed to sensitive issues relating to ‘empathy’ and ‘attitude of staff’ in Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria.