Keywords
curative services
healthcare accessibility
health equity
regional disparities
How to Cite
Abstract
Introduction
Accessibility to healthcare in the Ikela Health Zone is a significant public health issue. The inability of households to access primary healthcare services hinders efforts to improve health outcomes. Addressing these barriers is essential for the development of a robust healthcare system. This study aims to identify the determinants of non-accessibility to primary healthcare in the Ikela Health Zone and to describe the various health services provided by healthcare institutions.
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to identify the factors that prevent households in the Ikela Health Zone from accessing primary healthcare services. Additionally, it aims to present an overview of the healthcare services available to the population within this area.
Methods
This study follows a descriptive, cross-sectional design and was conducted in the Ikela Health Zone between January 1 and September 30, 2024. The sample consisted of 50 heads of households, selected through a structured interview process. Data were collected using direct structured interviews, which allowed for the efficient gathering of relevant information.
Results
The findings revealed that overbilling for health services (40%) and the availability of curative care services (54%) are the primary factors affecting household accessibility to healthcare in the Ikela Health Zone. Additionally, curative care was identified as the most commonly offered health service in the region. These findings highlight critical barriers to healthcare access in the area.
Conclusion
The involvement of local health authorities, as well as national and international partners, is crucial to improving access to primary healthcare for households in the Ikela Health Zone. The perceived benefits of using primary care services showed minimal effects, with most categories having odds ratios close to 1, except for category 2, which had a negative relationship with an odds ratio of 0.207. The risk associated with the non-use of healthcare services was largely insignificant, with most categories showing either no effect or very low odds ratios. However, the availability of services in healthcare facilities was found to have a significant impact, particularly for category 2, where the odds ratio was 0.782, suggesting that improving the quality and availability of services in health facilities could reduce barriers to healthcare access.
References
Assa, B. T. (2023). Issue of the resurgence of poliomyelitis in the Bototo health area. Revue de la santé publique de la République Démocratique du Congo, 15(3), 45-50.
Bhatnagar, S. S. (2022). Factors promoting the non-use of postpartum consultation at the Lazaria health center. Journal of Maternal Health, 10(2), 30-35.
Bompengo, J. F. (2015). Knowledge and practices of pregnant women on preventive measures for malaria: A study conducted at the Neema Health Referral Center in the Makiso Health Zone. Revue des Sciences de la Santé, 18(1), 77-83.
Borgen, L. (2022). Experiences of the population of the Kabondo health zone regarding the administration of curative care. Annales de Santé Publique, 20(2), 58-62.
Botuli, L. L. (2022). Factors promoting inaccessibility to primary healthcare in rural areas. Revue des Services de Santé, 17(4), 101-107.
Brown, E. E., & Ekila, F. (2021). Profile and management of unvaccinated children, case of the Mondome health zone. Pediatrics and Vaccines Journal, 8(3), 45-50.
Between, W. W., & Wangata, J. (2018). Causes and consequences of inaccessibility to primary healthcare: Case of the Mangombo health zone. Journal of Public Health and Accessibility, 12(2), 85-90.
Cilundika, A., Alukna, & Lokumo, L. (2015). Determinants of low utilization of curative services by households in the Pweto health zone, Katanga Province, Democratic Republic of Congo in 2013. African Health Journal, 10(2), 59-63.
Cohen, B. B., & Bakombo, J. F. (2017). Factors promoting inaccessibility to healthcare in the urban-rural health zone of Tshopa. Revue de la Santé et du Bien-être, 22(4), 110-115.
Ermain, L., & Like, M. (2023). Factors promoting the increase in malaria rates in the Plateau Médical district. Journal of Tropical Medicine and Malaria, 14(1), 39-45.
Gilles-Harold, B., & Alikato, A. (2018). Determinants of access to healthcare services in Grand Bassam. Health Policy and Management Review, 20(3), 90-96.
Jaurès, J. J., & Jakikano, B. (2011). Determinants of women's non-participation in preschool consultation in the Saint Camille health area. Revue Santé et Éducation, 5(2), 25-30.
Kouadio, L., Loleke, & Ngandi, N. (2010). Accessibility of rural populations to healthcare in the Abengourou department (Ivory Coast). Journal of Rural Health Access, 6(1), 45-50.
Masudi, L., Loleke, & Balema, P. (2018). Issues of accessibility to primary healthcare in urban-rural areas. Journal of Urban and Rural Health, 12(3), 74-79.
Mbadiwe, E. O., Abdulkarim, M., Dounebaine, B., Ngange, N. M., & Egwu, K. C. (2024). Addressing the health workforce gap to achieve Universal Health Coverage and "The Africa We Want." PAMJ-One Health, 13, 9. https://doi.org/10.11604/pamj-oh.2024.13.9.43014
Molly, A., Alika, & Kosenge, F. (2020). Evaluation of primary healthcare activities. Case of the Saint Pierre health area. Revue des Soins de Santé Primaires, 25(3), 55-60.
Ngbonda, L. Lokenge. (2023). Cause and consequence of early sexuality, case of the Plateau Médical district. African Journal of Public Health, 10(2), 102-108.
Nkhoma, Y., & Alema, J. (2023). Determinants of inaccessibility to primary healthcare in urban areas, case of the Saint Joseph health area in Kisangani. Urban Health Review, 14(4), 80-85.
Ntotolo, M., & Makaya, S. (2019). Non-use of healthcare services in the Democratic Republic of Congo: An analysis of the 2013-2014 demographic and health survey. Demographic and Health Surveys, 23(1), 22-28.
Olives, J. J., & Lomanga, L. (2023). Parents' opinions on vaccine hesitancy in their children during campaigns. Vaccine and Immunization Journal, 17(2), 55-60.
Otieno, Y. Y., & Bekanda, A. (2020). Causes of non-participation of children aged 0 to 5 in preschool consultations, case of the Yaleko health zone. Early Childhood Health Journal, 9(3), 45-50.
Quevauvilliers, J. A. (2009). Medical Dictionary (6th ed.). Paris: Éditions Médicales.
Ramy, L. L., & Lilono, S. (2022). Factors promoting the non-use of healthcare services in Mali. African Medical Journal, 21(1), 34-38.
Smith, J., & Jacque, L. L. (2018). Determinants of access to healthcare, case of the Boyoma health area. Journal of Health Policy, 15(4), 80-85.
St-Pierre, G. E. (2019). Women's perceptions of prenatal consultation activities. Revue de la Santé et de la Maternité, 16(2), 110-115.
Tshimbadi, S., & Shungu, M. (2016). Determinants of the use of curative services and therapeutic pathways in Lubumbashi (case of the Kisanga Health Zone). Journal of Curative Healthcare, 19(3), 74-79.
Tunji, L., & Arcen. (2024). Minister of State for Health and Social Protection – Nigeria, on the consequences of inaccessibility to primary healthcare, p. 34.
World Health Organization (WHO). (2022). The issue of access to curative healthcare: World Health Report. Retrieved from http://www.who.soins-de-santé-curatifs.org, accessed on July 23, 2024.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.