WILBERFORCE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIAL SCIENCES (WJSS)
ISSN: 2504 – 9232
Volume 7, No. 1, June 2022
Pages 1-14
DOI: 10.36108/wjss/2202.70.0110
INEQUITY IN HEALTHCARE UTILISATION AND HEALTH
OUTCOMES AMONG HOUSEHOLDS IN BAYELSA STATE, NIGERIA
SAMUEL GOWON EDOUMIEKUMO & TARI MOSES KARIMO
Abstract
This study examines inequity in the use of health care and health outcomes in Nigeria with specific focus on Bayelsa State. The study is based on 426 households who were administered with questionnaire. Health care utilization for general purposes and antenatal care are used as proxy for health care utilization, while maternal death, under-5 death and infant deaths are proxy for health outcomes. Results from concentration index estimates show more concentration of health care utilization for general purposes among the poor which is surprising, and more concentration of use of antenatal services among the rich. The study also found pro-rich inequity in all three health outcome indicators. The study concludes that health care utilization and health outcomes are inequitably distributed among households in Bayelsa: while the rich and poor have similar health needs, the rich enjoy better access to health services and health outcomes.
Keywords: Antenatal, Health, Inequity, Infant, Maternal, Outcome, Under-5, utilization