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. 2020 Feb 12:35:39.
doi: 10.11604/pamj.2020.35.39.17828. eCollection 2020.

Analysis of distribution, capacity and utilization of public health facilities in Borno, North-Eastern Nigeria

Usman Alhaji Aliyu  1 , Mustapha Adam Kolo  1 , Muhammad Chutiyami  2
Affiliations

Analysis of distribution, capacity and utilization of public health facilities in Borno, North-Eastern Nigeria

Usman Alhaji Aliyu et al. Pan Afr Med J. .

Abstract

Introduction: This study aimed to analyze the spatial distribution and capacities of public health facilities and assess utilization of the facilities in Biu area of Borno State, Nigeria.

Methods: A descriptive survey of health facilities and households were conducted by stratifying the area into 11 electoral wards. Data collection instruments include a hand-held GPS (Garmin 76CSx) and 2 sets of structured questionnaires (facility and household). The hand-held GPS was used in taking the coordinates of each health facility in the area. Twenty-five facility-based and 400 household-based questionnaires were administered.

Results: It was identified that 138 public health personnel serve the area's population of 240,838. Medical professionals (doctors/nurses/midwives) to patient ratio is 1:2973, about 7 times less than the minimum WHO recommendation of 2.5 medical personal per 1000 population. Uneven distribution of facilities exists, which impact on utilisation. For instance, a ward (Mandaragrau) with a population of 18,732 have 5 facilities (4 dispensaries and 1 primary health care) in comparison to a ward (Miringa) with a population of 21,343 with only one Dispensary. Income level and distance were significant socio-economic factors affecting service utilisation (p < 0.001). Area's households Gini index was 26.7, most of which (49.7%) survive on less than USD2/day and majority (33.6%) spend an average cost of treatment of ₦2,750 (approx. $8) per clinic visit.

Conclusion: It was concluded that insufficiency and inequity in distribution of healthcare services exist in Borno State. It is thus recommended that future policies be directed toward improving healthcare in under-served areas.

Keywords: Health facilities; Nigeria; access; capacity; distribution; socio-economic status; utilization.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
A Lorenz Curve indicating income distribution in Biu LGA, 2016
Figure 2
Figure 2
Spatial distribution of health facilities in Biu LGA, 2016
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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