Experiences Of The Elderly Utilizing Healthcare Services In Edo State

Background: The population of elderly is on the rise worldwide. The medical care of this group represent a significant unmet health need and thus utilization of health facilities is therefore very important.Objective: To determine the healthcare services experience of elderly in Edo state, Nigeria.Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted in Eyaen community in Uhunwonde Local Government Area of Edo state, Nigeria. The study population was 400 elderly recruited using multistage sampling technique. The data collection tool utilized was an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Results: There were more males (56.5%) than females (43.5%) giving a male: female ratio of 1.3:1, with a mean age of 71.3 years. Majority 95.3% had visited health facility, nine-tenth (90.3%) fall sick often but only 67.8% visit health facility when they are seriously sick. Waiting time was considered long and very long among 70.5% and 9.5% of respondents respectively. Sixty-six percent of the respondents attested that the number of doctors in health facility was insufficient and 72% felt that the consulted doctors were friendly. Effective communication with health workers was reported by 77% of the respondents. Appointment booking was easy for 51.3% of the respondents. The association of level of education and ease of appointment booking was statistically significant. The cost of health service received was deemed too expensive by 53% of the respondents. Musculoskeletal pain (40.5%) and malaria (29.0%) were the most common illnesses reported by the respondents. Conclusion: Data from this study revealed that most elderly had unpleasant health service experience as evidenced by long waiting time, insufficient number of doctors in health facilities, and expensive health services. Modeling healthcare delivery for elderly, devoid of these impediments is an obvious necessity.