Factors affecting access to health care facilities in a rural Community: The case of Bali-Nyonga Sub-Division, Cameroun

Abstract

Adequate and equitable distribution of health care facilities in rural areas is critical to human capital development. The study determines distance as a factor influencing utilization of health facilities in Bali-Nyonga. The main objective of the research is to evaluate the socio-economic effect of distance to health care in Bali-Nyonga. Data for this were gathered through field observation, face to face interview and questionnaires. Data from secondary sources included publish and unpublished material which was presented in form of related literature review. The data were analyzed using descriptive measures and presented in the form of tables, chart, percentages and graphs. In Bali-Nyonga, where the condition of roads is very poor, distance from the nearest health facility emerges as the most important factor influencing utilization. The vulnerable groups of women, the age, sickly, the illiterate and the poor were not found to be more strongly affected by distance decay. The policy implication arising from this study suggest that distance to improve health care needs to be reduce to enhance accessibility and to improved health service by various socio-economic groups in the area. It was recommended to strengthen the efforts to improve accessibilities of health care facilities in the rural areas by increasing the number of health facilities, transport and sensitization of the rural indigenes.