Distribution and patronage of health facilities in Lafia, Nasarawa state, Nigeria

Health facilities are places that provide health care. They include hospitals, clinics, outpatient care centers, and specialized care centers, such as birthing centers and psychiatric care centers. The study aimed at assessing and classifying the distribution and patronage of health facilities in Lafia, Nasarawa state with the objectives to classify the distribution of the primary health centers in Lafia, Nasarawa State; examine the spatial distribution of primary health centers in the study area; and assess the patronage pattern of primary health centers in the study area. The study utilizes the use of primary and secondary data to include questionnaires, interviews, and direct observation analyses using ArcGIS 10.4, Microsoft Excel, and SPSS software. The study area's primary health facilities were found to be clustered, with an Rn of NNR less than 1.0 and a less than 1% likelihood of random chance at (P< 0.01). Regression analysis showed negative coefficient values, meaning that the study area's primary health facility patronage falls as inhabitants' distance from health facilities increases (P< 0.05). The socio-economic data reveals that 56.1% of the sampled population, predominantly aged 21-40, consists of respondents. The survey revealed that only 6.3% of the population had formal education, and 72.5% of public health facilities (PHFs) were government-owned, while 22.4% were privately owned. Therefore, the prevailing trend of location analysis calls for proper planning, and GIS tools are needed for research on health facility distribution and patronage in Lafia Nasarawa state, identifying coverage gaps, and recommending intervention and planning strategies to improve health.