Determinants of health service utilization among users of Dokolo Health Centre IV, Dokolo District: a community perspective

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Date

2021-03-29

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Publisher

Science Publishing Corporation

Abstract

Introduction: Health services utilization (HSU) is an important health outcome indicator, a surrogate measure of access to healthcare that influences the outcomes of health status and consumer satisfaction. Healthcare is central to community well-being as well as a fundamental aspect of life. Objective: The study sought to assess determinants of health service utilization among users of Dokolo Health Centre IV, Dokolo district. Methods: A cross sectional analytical design, which employed both quantitative and qualitative approaches, was used between January and July, 2020. A total of 396 respondents participated. Data was collected using Semi-structured questionnaires and Focus Group Discussion guide. Analysis was done using SPSS and qualitative data was analyzed verbatim. Results: Only 26.8% of the users were satisfied with services provided in the health facility. Living environments of respondents was the only socio-demographic factor that determined HSU (p = 0.046). Living in urban area was 1.6 times more likely to be a determinant of HSU than living in rural setting [COR=1.571, 95% CI (0.986-2.504)]. The study found that being a female was 1.14 times more likely to utilize health services (COR=1.135, 95% CI (0.741-1.739)). Similarly, majority of the respondents who were peasants, 174(43.9%), utilized health services from the facility as opposed to their formally employed counterparts. Thus, being formally employed was 0.7 timesless likely to utilize health services (COR= 0.655, 95% CI (0.29-1.476)). Satisfaction with services (p=0.000), level of satisfaction (p=0.000) and distance to health facility (p=0.033) were enablers of HSU. Being very satisfied was 16 times more likely for one to utilize health services [COR=16, 95% CI (0.000- 0.001)]. Most of the respondents rated the quality of care as poor. Conclusion: Health service utilization remains quite low in many rural health facilities of Uganda.

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Keywords

Health Service Utilization, Community Perspectives, Health Services, Health service users

Citation

Ojok, F., Mukasa, S., and Omona, K., 2021. Determinants of Health Service Utilization among users of Dokolo Health Centre IV, Dokolo District: a Community Perspective. International Journal of Health, 8 (1) pp. 17-25