Utilization of selected hospitals, health centres and health stations in Central, Southern and Western Ethiopia

doi:10.1016/0277-9536(90)90052-T

Social Science & Medicine

Volume 31, Issue 2, 1990, Pages 101-114

https://doi.org/10.1016/0277-9536(90)90052-T Get rights and content

Abstract

This first, extensive, facility-based study of health services utilization in central, southern and western Ethiopia reveals steep distance decay gradients and underutilization of rural health services, the result of numerous geographical, socioeconomic, cultural and facility-based barriers. Out-patient statistics of 280,656 first-visit polyclinic patients in 8 hospitals, 8 health centres and 9 health stations in 7 administrative regions and of 10,885 sick children, 7767 antenatal attendants, 902 family planning acceptors, 275 vaccinated children and mothers and 1066 free patients, as well as in-patient statistics of 11,221 patients in 5 hospitals were analysed to determine catchment areas and utilization rates. On the average, 46% of the polyclinic patients were residents of the same town or village, 39% of the same awraja (district) and 5% of other administrative regions. Sick children, family planning attendants, free patients and in-patients lived relatively nearer to health facilities than polyclinic out-patients. Interviews with polyclinic out-patients showed that type and cost of transportation, type of illness, patient preferences, socioeconomic status of patients and referral patterns were important factors in utilization. Aggregation of all available health services data indicates that whereas some towns approach the targeted 2.5 per capita patient visits per year, coverage of the rural population is relatively low. Suggestions are made on how to overcome the problem of underutilization of rural health stations and to improve the health services information system.

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Utilization of selected hospitals, health centres and health stations in Central, Southern and Western Ethiopia

Abstract

Soc. Sci. Med.

Soc. Sci. Med.

Soc. Sci. Med.

Soc. Sci. Med.

Soc. Sci. Med.

Development of Indicators for Monitoring Progress Towards Health for All by the Year 2000

The Ten-Year Perspective Plan 1983/1984–1993/1994. Health Sector

The Ten-Year Plan

Demography and health planning

Comprehensive Health Service Directory 1978 E.C. (1985/86 G.C.)

Health manpower development

Health and medical care in Ethiopia

New Engl. J. Med.

Primary Health Care Review

Analysis of paediatric admissions in the Gonder College of Medical Sciences Hospital

Accessibility and Utilization: Geographical Perspectives on Health Care and Delivery

Pattern of health care utilization in a small Ethiopian town

Ethiop. med. J.

The prevalence of perceive morbidity in Addis Zemen town, Ethiopia

Ethiop. J. Hlth Devl.

Factors influencing utilization of health stations in Yerer and Kereyu Awraja, Shewa Administrative Region

Report on the Rural Health Survey (1982/83)

Statistical Bulletin

Health survey in three resettlement schemes in Keffa Administrative Region

Report prepared for the World Health Organization

Assessment of MCH services in the District of Solenzo, in Burkina Faso

J. trop. Pediat.

The determinants of health services utilization in southern Iraq: a household interview survey

Int. J. Epidem.

Reaching the people: some issues in the utilization of selected hospitals in Addis Ababa

Ethiop. J. Hlth Devl.

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Ethiop. J. Hlth Devl.

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