DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2018.v06i03.103

Pages: 1331-1339

Good health is a key inalienable right of all Nigerian citizens but, guaranteeing this right often comes short. This is underscored by Nigeria’s health indices that have remained below global standards. The level of utilisation of Primary Health Care (PHC) services, particularly in rural areas is increasingly being suggested could be partly responsible. This study was aimed to assess determinants of utilisation of PHC services in Essien Udim, Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional study design was used to elicit information from 460 adult respondents in the community and 35 health workers. A semi-structured questionnaire and review of patient/client records were used to obtain information on utilisation of PHC services. Findings showed that only 23.3% of respondents utilized PHC services in the last one year with more females 83 (77.6%) utilizing these services compared to males 24 (22.4%). Respondents that did not utilised 353 (76.7%), first contact for health needs was patent medicine vendors (58.9%), followed by traditional healers (25.8%). There was marginal but progressive increase in trend of PHC services utilisation from 2010-2013 with antenatal care (ANC) and preventive health most sought PHC services as indicated in reviewed patient/client records.