Health services utilization and associated factors In Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Utilization of health services is defined as the ways in which individuals respond to ill health and disease. Many factors may influence this response, including characteristics of the individual and their ability to access the type of resources they may need in their quest to deal with their ill health. To increase health service utilization and improve health status, one needs to understand the forces that encourage and inhibit health service utilization. Objectives: the objective of the study was to assess health service utilization and associated factors in Ethiopia Methods: The study was conducted in Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia nine Regional States: The study is a cross-sectional study design using secondary data from Welfare Monitoring Survey (WMS) of 2011. Those who have faced any health problem during the last 2 months of the data collection were the actual study population. A received medical assistance or consulted from health service during the last 2 months was used as an index of health service utilization. Utilization is measured by self-reported use or visits to health service. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression was also carried out to see the association of each independent variable with the dependent variable. Result: Among those who have been ill (18801) in the last 2 months 12977 (69%) receive medical assistance the other 5824(31%) did not receive medical assistance. Attending above secondary (AOR: 2.79, 95% CI: 2.28-3.42), urban residence (AOR: 2.04, 95% CI: 1.87, 2.22), married (AOR: 1.7, 95% CI: 1.52-1.9) and absence from work for more than 14 days were significantly associated with health service utilization. Conclusion and recommendation: Significant number of people with health problem does not visit health facilitates even though they are sick. Financial incapability, not believe in medical care are the major health service utilization barrier in the community. The ministry of health needs to improve accessibility and affordability of services in the country. ......................................... Thesis available at ACIPH Library