DETERMINANTS OF PRIMARY HEALTH CARE UTILIZATION AMONG RURAL HOUSEHOLDS IN YOBE STATE, NIGERIA

Primary health care (PHC) is the foundation of an effective healthcare system and plays a vital role in achieving Universal Health Coverage by providing accessible, affordable, and comprehensive healthcare services. Despite government efforts to strengthen PHC delivery, utilization of these services remains suboptimal in many rural communities in Yobe State, Nigeria. This study assessed the determinants of primary health care utilization among rural households in Yobe State. A community-based cross-sectional descriptive research design was adopted. Data were collected from 400 household heads and adult household representatives selected through a multistage sampling technique using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25.0. Descriptive statistics summarized the data, while Chi-square and binary logistic regression analyses were used to determine factors associated with PHC utilization at p < 0.05. The findings revealed that 57.0% of respondents regularly utilized PHC services, 27.0% utilized them occasionally, while 16.0% rarely or never utilized the services. Educational attainment (χ² = 18.42, p < 0.001), household income (χ² = 12.36, p = 0.002), and occupation (χ² = 7.28, p = 0.026) were significant determinants of PHC utilization. Respondents identified long distance to health facilities (60.3%), inadequate healthcare personnel (56.3%), and prolonged waiting time (53.5%) as the major barriers to service utilization. Logistic regression further showed that higher educational attainment (AOR = 2.41), shorter distance to PHC facilities (AOR = 2.73), and availability of essential medicines (AOR = 2.18) significantly increased the likelihood of utilizing PHC services. The study concluded that both socioeconomic and health system factors significantly influence PHC utilization among rural households. It is recommended that the Yobe State Primary Health Care Management Board strengthen rural PHC facilities through improved staffing and drug supply, while the Ministry of Health and development partners expand access to quality PHC services and implement community health education programmes to promote healthcare utilization.