Perception and Factors Affecting Utilization of Health Services in Sampou Community
H. O. Stanley *
Department of Microbiology, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria and Department of Community Medicine, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.
J. O. Pondei
Department of Microbiology, University of Abuja, Nigeria.
T. S. Johnny
Department of Community Medicine, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.
E. O. Kehinde
Department of Community Medicine, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.
M. P. Mammah
Department of Community Medicine, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.
T. Moneyin
Department of Community Medicine, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.
C. L. Nkwume
Department of Community Medicine, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.
E. N. Olise-Anieh
Department of Community Medicine, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.
M. J. Oliver
Department of Community Medicine, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.
C. O. Ayo-Ola
Department of Community Medicine, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.
M. E. Appiah
Department of Community Medicine, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.
E. Azebiri
Department of Community Medicine, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.
J. P. Bibiwei
Department of Community Medicine, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.
I. E. Bobbo
Department of Community Medicine, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.
P. B. Apiri
Department of Community Medicine, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.
J. C. Stanley
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Niger Delta University Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Despite ongoing health reforms in Nigeria, rural communities such as Sampou in Bayelsa State continue to experience disparities in health service utilisation. This study investigates perceptions and the socio-economic, cultural, and structural factors influencing healthcare service use in Sampou Community. This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in Sampou Community, Bayelsa State, Nigeria, using a structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire. A total of 248 adults aged 18–64 years were selected through simple random sampling. Data were analysed using SPSS version 29, and the results were presented using descriptive statistics. Responses were graded using a modified Likert scoring method. Findings revealed that, while 88.7% of respondents reported physical accessibility to healthcare services, only 29.4% accessed care for preventive purposes. A large majority (80.6%) considered healthcare workers competent, but satisfaction with service quality was 57.3%. Financial challenges (38.3%) and drug unavailability (73.8%) were identified as major barriers to utilisation. Cultural beliefs and traditional medicine were less prominent factors, cited by only 21.4% and 25.0%, respectively. Awareness of government health insurance programmes was low (39.9%). The study concludes that, although proximity and provider competence were not primary issues, utilisation remains low because of financial constraints, understaffing, and low awareness of health-financing schemes. It is recommended that the systemic barriers observed in the study be addressed through targeted interventions, infrastructure improvement, and community-based health education to advance equitable healthcare in rural areas such as Sampou.
Keywords: Health service utilisation, healthcare perception, primary healthcare, rural health, financial barriers, health insurance awareness