Determinants of Health Services Utilization among the Elderly in Calabar Municipality, Cross River State, Nigeria

Osuchukwu Nelson Chukwudi; Inde Margaret Uyilewhoma; Osuchukwu Easter Chukwudi; Eko Jimmy Ebi; O’Neill Mary Emmanuel; Osonwa Okorie Kalu; Ekpo Ekpo Iyamba

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ejpm.20150305.11

Determinants of Health Services Utilization among the Elderly in Calabar Municipality, Cross River State, Nigeria

Osuchukwu Nelson Chukwudi, Inde Margaret Uyilewhoma, Osuchukwu Easter Chukwudi, Eko Jimmy Ebi, O’Neill Mary Emmanuel, Osonwa Okorie Kalu, Ekpo Ekpo Iyamba

Published in European Journal of Preventive Medicine (Volume 3, Issue 5)

Received: 10 July 2015 Accepted: 14 July 2015 Published: 1 August 2015

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Abstract

Background: Geriatric healthcare is increasingly becoming a component of the healthcare delivery system as the reality of healthcare for the elderly varies dramatically from one society to another. Objective: The general objective of this study was to identify the determinants of healthcare services utilization among the elderly in Calabar Municipality, Cross River State, Nigeria. Methods: A semi-structured questionnaire was used to generate data from 200 respondents using multi-stage sampling technique. Data generated were analyzed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS version 20.0) and results were presented in tables and charts. Chi-square was used to test for association between variables at 5% level of significance. Results: The result of this study showed that most respondents were aged 65-69years 74(37.0%) followed by those aged 70-74years 56(28.0%) and 75-79years 42(21.0%). More females 110(55%) than males 90(45%) participated in the study. More than half of the respondents 34(67%) reported to have visited the hospital in the last 12 months mainly for general body checkup 51(25.5%) and treatment 31(15.5%). Barriers to utilization of healthcare services identified in this study include; long waiting time 10(22.2%), drug prescribed not available 10(22.2%) and health workers not friendly 10(22.2%). Factors associated with health services utilisation among the elderly were gender, residential status, educational status, occupational status and income level (P<0.05). Conclusion: Proffering solutions to barriers to health services utilization highlighted in this study would promote optimal use of health services thereby improving the quality of life of the aged population.

Published in	European Journal of Preventive Medicine (Volume 3, Issue 5)
DOI	10.11648/j.ejpm.20150305.11
Page(s)	129-136
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2015. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Elderly, Health Services, Determinants, Calabar Municipality

References

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[4]	Exavery A., Klipstein-Grobusch K., Debpuur C. Self-rated health and health care utilization among rural elderly Ghanaians in Kassena-Nankana district. 2011 Available at uaps2011.princeton.edu/papers/1103321-30.
[5]	Okumagba P. O. Choice of health care services utilization by the elderly in Delta State in Nigeria. J Sociology Soc. Anth; 2011; 2(2):131-138.
[6]	Abdulraheem I. S. Health Needs Assessment and Determinants of Health-Seeking Behaviour among Elderly Nigerians: A House-Hold Survey. Annals of African Medicine; 2007; 6:58-63.
[7]	Scheppersa, E., Dongenb, E., Dekkerc, J.,Geertzend J., Dekkere J. Potential barriers to the use of health services among ethnic minorities: a review. Oxford Journals Medicine & Health Family Practice 2005; 23(3): 325-348
[8]	Soai M. Distance, time and health workers’ attitude: How they determine people’s view towards the health care system. Med Care Analysis; 2012; 1(2): 12-15
[9]	Chou K. L., Chi I., Chong A. M. L. The utilization of aged care services by the frail elderly and their family caregivers. Hong kong Med J. 2006; 12(2):7-9
[10]	Ntsoane M. D., Oduntan O. A., Mpolokeng B. L. Utilization of public eye care services by the rural community residents in the Capricorn district, Limpopo Province, South Africa. Afr J Prm Health Care Fam Med.;2012; 4(1):7-12
[11]	Obiechina G. O., Ekenedo G. O. Factors affecting utilization of University health services in a tertiary institution in South-West Nigeria. Niger J Clin Pract; 2013; 16:454-7
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[14]	National population commission, Projected population of Calabr South Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria. 2006; Retrieved on January 14, 2012 from http//www.citypopulation.de
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APA Style

Osuchukwu Nelson Chukwudi, Inde Margaret Uyilewhoma, Osuchukwu Easter Chukwudi, Eko Jimmy Ebi, O’Neill Mary Emmanuel, et al. (2015). Determinants of Health Services Utilization among the Elderly in Calabar Municipality, Cross River State, Nigeria. European Journal of Preventive Medicine, 3(5), 129-136. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ejpm.20150305.11

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ACS Style

Osuchukwu Nelson Chukwudi; Inde Margaret Uyilewhoma; Osuchukwu Easter Chukwudi; Eko Jimmy Ebi; O’Neill Mary Emmanuel, et al. Determinants of Health Services Utilization among the Elderly in Calabar Municipality, Cross River State, Nigeria. Eur. J. Prev. Med. 2015, 3(5), 129-136. doi: 10.11648/j.ejpm.20150305.11

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AMA Style

Osuchukwu Nelson Chukwudi, Inde Margaret Uyilewhoma, Osuchukwu Easter Chukwudi, Eko Jimmy Ebi, O’Neill Mary Emmanuel, et al. Determinants of Health Services Utilization among the Elderly in Calabar Municipality, Cross River State, Nigeria. Eur J Prev Med. 2015;3(5):129-136. doi: 10.11648/j.ejpm.20150305.11

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@article{10.11648/j.ejpm.20150305.11,
  author = {Osuchukwu Nelson Chukwudi and Inde Margaret Uyilewhoma and Osuchukwu Easter Chukwudi and Eko Jimmy Ebi and O’Neill Mary Emmanuel and Osonwa Okorie Kalu and Ekpo Ekpo Iyamba},
  title = {Determinants of Health Services Utilization among the Elderly in Calabar Municipality, Cross River State, Nigeria},
  journal = {European Journal of Preventive Medicine},
  volume = {3},
  number = {5},
  pages = {129-136},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ejpm.20150305.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ejpm.20150305.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ejpm.20150305.11},
  abstract = {Background: Geriatric healthcare is increasingly becoming a component of the healthcare delivery system as the reality of healthcare for the elderly varies dramatically from one society to another. Objective: The general objective of this study was to identify the determinants of healthcare services utilization among the elderly in Calabar Municipality, Cross River State, Nigeria. Methods: A semi-structured questionnaire was used to generate data from 200 respondents using multi-stage sampling technique. Data generated were analyzed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS version 20.0) and results were presented in tables and charts. Chi-square was used to test for association between variables at 5% level of significance. Results: The result of this study showed that most respondents were aged 65-69years 74(37.0%) followed by those aged 70-74years 56(28.0%) and 75-79years 42(21.0%). More females 110(55%) than males 90(45%) participated in the study. More than half of the respondents 34(67%) reported to have visited the hospital in the last 12 months mainly for general body checkup 51(25.5%) and treatment 31(15.5%). Barriers to utilization of healthcare services identified in this study include; long waiting time 10(22.2%), drug prescribed not available 10(22.2%) and health workers not friendly 10(22.2%). Factors associated with health services utilisation among the elderly were gender, residential status, educational status, occupational status and income level (P<0.05). Conclusion: Proffering solutions to barriers to health services utilization highlighted in this study would promote optimal use of health services thereby improving the quality of life of the aged population.},
 year = {2015}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Determinants of Health Services Utilization among the Elderly in Calabar Municipality, Cross River State, Nigeria
AU  - Osuchukwu Nelson Chukwudi
AU  - Inde Margaret Uyilewhoma
AU  - Osuchukwu Easter Chukwudi
AU  - Eko Jimmy Ebi
AU  - O’Neill Mary Emmanuel
AU  - Osonwa Okorie Kalu
AU  - Ekpo Ekpo Iyamba
Y1  - 2015/08/01
PY  - 2015
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ejpm.20150305.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.ejpm.20150305.11
T2  - European Journal of Preventive Medicine
JF  - European Journal of Preventive Medicine
JO  - European Journal of Preventive Medicine
SP  - 129
EP  - 136
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-8230
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ejpm.20150305.11
AB  - Background: Geriatric healthcare is increasingly becoming a component of the healthcare delivery system as the reality of healthcare for the elderly varies dramatically from one society to another. Objective: The general objective of this study was to identify the determinants of healthcare services utilization among the elderly in Calabar Municipality, Cross River State, Nigeria. Methods: A semi-structured questionnaire was used to generate data from 200 respondents using multi-stage sampling technique. Data generated were analyzed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS version 20.0) and results were presented in tables and charts. Chi-square was used to test for association between variables at 5% level of significance. Results: The result of this study showed that most respondents were aged 65-69years 74(37.0%) followed by those aged 70-74years 56(28.0%) and 75-79years 42(21.0%). More females 110(55%) than males 90(45%) participated in the study. More than half of the respondents 34(67%) reported to have visited the hospital in the last 12 months mainly for general body checkup 51(25.5%) and treatment 31(15.5%). Barriers to utilization of healthcare services identified in this study include; long waiting time 10(22.2%), drug prescribed not available 10(22.2%) and health workers not friendly 10(22.2%). Factors associated with health services utilisation among the elderly were gender, residential status, educational status, occupational status and income level (P<0.05). Conclusion: Proffering solutions to barriers to health services utilization highlighted in this study would promote optimal use of health services thereby improving the quality of life of the aged population.
VL  - 3
IS  - 5
ER  -

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Author Information

Osuchukwu Nelson Chukwudi

Department of Public Health, Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria
Inde Margaret Uyilewhoma

College of Health Technology, Calabar, Nigeria
Osuchukwu Easter Chukwudi

Department of Nursing Sciences, Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria
Eko Jimmy Ebi

Department of Public Health, Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria
O’Neill Mary Emmanuel

Department of Environment Health, College of Health Technology, Calabar, Nigeria
Osonwa Okorie Kalu

Department of Sociology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria
Ekpo Ekpo Iyamba

College of Health Technology, Calabar, Nigeria

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APA Style

Osuchukwu Nelson Chukwudi, Inde Margaret Uyilewhoma, Osuchukwu Easter Chukwudi, Eko Jimmy Ebi, O’Neill Mary Emmanuel, et al. (2015). Determinants of Health Services Utilization among the Elderly in Calabar Municipality, Cross River State, Nigeria. European Journal of Preventive Medicine, 3(5), 129-136. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ejpm.20150305.11

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ACS Style

Osuchukwu Nelson Chukwudi; Inde Margaret Uyilewhoma; Osuchukwu Easter Chukwudi; Eko Jimmy Ebi; O’Neill Mary Emmanuel, et al. Determinants of Health Services Utilization among the Elderly in Calabar Municipality, Cross River State, Nigeria. Eur. J. Prev. Med. 2015, 3(5), 129-136. doi: 10.11648/j.ejpm.20150305.11

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AMA Style

Osuchukwu Nelson Chukwudi, Inde Margaret Uyilewhoma, Osuchukwu Easter Chukwudi, Eko Jimmy Ebi, O’Neill Mary Emmanuel, et al. Determinants of Health Services Utilization among the Elderly in Calabar Municipality, Cross River State, Nigeria. Eur J Prev Med. 2015;3(5):129-136. doi: 10.11648/j.ejpm.20150305.11

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ejpm.20150305.11,
  author = {Osuchukwu Nelson Chukwudi and Inde Margaret Uyilewhoma and Osuchukwu Easter Chukwudi and Eko Jimmy Ebi and O’Neill Mary Emmanuel and Osonwa Okorie Kalu and Ekpo Ekpo Iyamba},
  title = {Determinants of Health Services Utilization among the Elderly in Calabar Municipality, Cross River State, Nigeria},
  journal = {European Journal of Preventive Medicine},
  volume = {3},
  number = {5},
  pages = {129-136},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ejpm.20150305.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ejpm.20150305.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ejpm.20150305.11},
  abstract = {Background: Geriatric healthcare is increasingly becoming a component of the healthcare delivery system as the reality of healthcare for the elderly varies dramatically from one society to another. Objective: The general objective of this study was to identify the determinants of healthcare services utilization among the elderly in Calabar Municipality, Cross River State, Nigeria. Methods: A semi-structured questionnaire was used to generate data from 200 respondents using multi-stage sampling technique. Data generated were analyzed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS version 20.0) and results were presented in tables and charts. Chi-square was used to test for association between variables at 5% level of significance. Results: The result of this study showed that most respondents were aged 65-69years 74(37.0%) followed by those aged 70-74years 56(28.0%) and 75-79years 42(21.0%). More females 110(55%) than males 90(45%) participated in the study. More than half of the respondents 34(67%) reported to have visited the hospital in the last 12 months mainly for general body checkup 51(25.5%) and treatment 31(15.5%). Barriers to utilization of healthcare services identified in this study include; long waiting time 10(22.2%), drug prescribed not available 10(22.2%) and health workers not friendly 10(22.2%). Factors associated with health services utilisation among the elderly were gender, residential status, educational status, occupational status and income level (P<0.05). Conclusion: Proffering solutions to barriers to health services utilization highlighted in this study would promote optimal use of health services thereby improving the quality of life of the aged population.},
 year = {2015}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Determinants of Health Services Utilization among the Elderly in Calabar Municipality, Cross River State, Nigeria
AU  - Osuchukwu Nelson Chukwudi
AU  - Inde Margaret Uyilewhoma
AU  - Osuchukwu Easter Chukwudi
AU  - Eko Jimmy Ebi
AU  - O’Neill Mary Emmanuel
AU  - Osonwa Okorie Kalu
AU  - Ekpo Ekpo Iyamba
Y1  - 2015/08/01
PY  - 2015
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ejpm.20150305.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.ejpm.20150305.11
T2  - European Journal of Preventive Medicine
JF  - European Journal of Preventive Medicine
JO  - European Journal of Preventive Medicine
SP  - 129
EP  - 136
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-8230
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ejpm.20150305.11
AB  - Background: Geriatric healthcare is increasingly becoming a component of the healthcare delivery system as the reality of healthcare for the elderly varies dramatically from one society to another. Objective: The general objective of this study was to identify the determinants of healthcare services utilization among the elderly in Calabar Municipality, Cross River State, Nigeria. Methods: A semi-structured questionnaire was used to generate data from 200 respondents using multi-stage sampling technique. Data generated were analyzed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS version 20.0) and results were presented in tables and charts. Chi-square was used to test for association between variables at 5% level of significance. Results: The result of this study showed that most respondents were aged 65-69years 74(37.0%) followed by those aged 70-74years 56(28.0%) and 75-79years 42(21.0%). More females 110(55%) than males 90(45%) participated in the study. More than half of the respondents 34(67%) reported to have visited the hospital in the last 12 months mainly for general body checkup 51(25.5%) and treatment 31(15.5%). Barriers to utilization of healthcare services identified in this study include; long waiting time 10(22.2%), drug prescribed not available 10(22.2%) and health workers not friendly 10(22.2%). Factors associated with health services utilisation among the elderly were gender, residential status, educational status, occupational status and income level (P<0.05). Conclusion: Proffering solutions to barriers to health services utilization highlighted in this study would promote optimal use of health services thereby improving the quality of life of the aged population.
VL  - 3
IS  - 5
ER  -

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