HEALTHCARE FACILITIES AND PATRONAGE PATTERNS OF RURAL DWELLERS IN NSIT UBIUM LOCAL GOVT AREA, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study was carried out to assess healthcare facilities and patronage patterns of people in Nsit Ubium Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State. The research focus on the conditions of available healthcare facilities and the patronage patterns to healthcare facilities in the study area. Primary data were collected through the use of structured questionnaires. Random sampling technique was employed for the selection of 398 households for the study. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and tables. The results showed that the existing conditions of the available healthcare facilities were characterized by poor physical structures and outdated and poor equipment, the level of patronage patterns of the rural dwellers to the available healthcare facilities is directly influenced by the availability and accessibility of healthcare facilities. Based on the findings of the study, the study recommends that governments at all tiers should ensure equitable distributions of healthcare facilities across rural areas by deploying more medical and para-medical staffs to the rural areas.