Spatial Assessment of the Effect of Income on Healthcare Facilities Patronage in Kogi-East Senatorial District, Kogi State, Nigeria

This study assessed the level of income on health facility patronage in Kogi East, Kogi State, Nigeria. Primary data necessary for this study were collected from patients, health workers and residents of Kogi East through the administration of questionnaires, personal observations and obtaining of satellite imageries for creation of digital health facilities distribution map of the study area, while the secondary sources includes published documents. A total of 400 questionnaires were administered; however, only 395 were returned for analysis. Results were presented in both tables and charts while the hypothesis was tested using Correlation Analysis. Findings from this research revealed that majority of the respondents (58.80%) do not patronize any health facilities due to the high cost of treatment. The study also found that the major illness that affects respondents in Anyigba is Malaria Fever (76.5%); the result also shows 87.5% of the respondents disclosing that money has prevented them from patronizing health facilities. The study further found that the socio-economic characteristics of the residents/patients play a significant role in determining the frequency of visits to healthcare facilities; this is substantiated with the Pearson correlation test result that revealed a significant relationship between patronage pattern and monthly income of the respondents. This research also revealed that the lower the incomes of an individual, the limited access such individual would have to health facilities and vice versa. Given the z-score of 0.288134438445, the distribution pattern of the health facilities does not appear to be significantly different than random, as the healthcare facilities map also support the above claim. It is therefore recommended that efforts should be put in place to improve the socio-economic status of individuals so as to improve their access and utilization of healthcare facilities. Government at all levels as well as the organized private sector should carry out massive public awareness on the importance of health insurance scheme.