ABSTRACT
Background: Primary Health Care (PHC) is the cornerstone of a country’s healthcare system. It is the closest level of healthcare to individuals, the family, and the community as enshrined in the National Health Policy.
Objectives: This study was aimed at assessing the knowledge, utilization, and satisfaction of patients with Primary Health Care services in the Egor Local Government Area to identify the factors that could influence the implementation of Primary Health Care in the study area.
Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 394 respondents selected using a multi-stage sampling technique. Data was obtained using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire and analyzed using IBM SPSS version 25.0. Univariate, bivariate and logistic regression analysis was done.
Results: The mean age ± S.D of respondents was 39.5 ± 12.7 years. The majority of the respondents 260(66.0%) had good knowledge of primary health care services and monthly household income and marital status were found to be significant predictors of knowledge of PHC services(AOR=1.691, 95% CI= 1.072-2.667, p=0.024) and (AOR=0.453, 95% CI=0.248-0.829, p=0.010) respectively. Less than half 168(42.6%) had utilized a PHC service with sex, marital status, and knowledge of PHC services being significant predictors for utilization((AOR=0.492, 95% CI= 0.311-0.777, p=0.002), (AOR=0.403, 95% CI= 0.217-0.747, p=0.004) and (AOR=6.805, 95% CI= 3.649-10.148, p <0.001) respectively. Ninety(93.5%) of respondents who had used the PHC were satisfied with the services. Sex and waiting time were found to be significant predictors of satisfaction with PHC services (AOR=26.267, 95% CI= 1.560-44.361, p=0.023) and (AOR=0.020, 95% CI= 0.002-0.204, p=0.001) respectively.
Conclusion/Recommendation: The respondents of Egor Local Government Area had good knowledge but poor utilization of PHC services. More awareness programs on PHC services should be carried out to assure the public of quality care.
