The Demand for Primary Health Care Service in Nigeria: New Evidence from Facility Determinants

Abstract

Despite high distribution of Primary Health Care Centres (PHC) and low cost of care provision, patronage is low in Nigeria. Findings for the determinants of health care demand are one sided with focus on patient related factors. Less attention is given to facility determinants. This study examined facility determinants of the demand for PHC service in Nigeria using basic infrastructures, equipment and staff type.  The 2013-2014 SDI data covering 11,690 primary health care facilities was used. The Negative Binomial regression model was fitted to determine the effects of facility factors on number of visits. The results show more community workers and paraprofessionals and few medical Doctors and Nurses in PHC’s. Facilities are equipped with weighing scales, sphygmomanometer and stethoscope with few thermometer. High staff absence rate, lack of improved water source and non-regular power supply are also observed.  Findings associate presence of Nurses with increased number of visits than other staff type.  Child weighing scale, regular power supply and improved water are also key positive determinants. Better use of PHC’s in Nigeria is possible with medical personnel especially nurses in employment. Improved water, regular power and instruments like child weighing scale are also vital.