PATTERNS OF MODERN HEALTH CARE FACILITIES UTILIZATION IN NASARAWA STATE -NIGERIA

Evidence from Nigeria Demographic and Health Suney April/May 2003 findings reveals that there were: Low Immunization Coverage, High Infant/Child Mortality, High Maternal Mortality Ratio, High Prevalence of Malaria and High Prevalence of HIV/AIDS. The aim of the study therefore is to examine and explain the geo-spatial variation in the utilization of modern health care facilities in Nasarawa State’s rural and urban locations. Data for the study has been collected through interview technique with a structured questionnaire, using systematic random sampling method. The data were analyzed using Logistic regression analysis. Major findings of the study indicate that inequalities in modern health care facilities utilization have not remained the same between rural and urban areas. Specifically socio-demographic variables are becoming increasingly more important in explaining utilization. Similarly, the study found that small families in rural Nasarawa state are likely to receive care from modern source. The study concludes that, special attention must be taken to raise the rate of utilization of care for morbid people in urban areas and appropriate measures (policy makers) should be taken to regularize the habit of utilization of health care in large families. Finally, the study makes rwo suggestions regarding the allocation of modern health care resources, which are recommended to be included in the allocation formulae; the first concerns the allocation of resources and their relation to need. This may ensure that individual health and social need are more effectively met. The second suggestion concerns the nature of health care in localities, by designing a 4regionalized’ health care system.