Peer-reviewed article
Access to Wealth, Regional Variations, and Child Healthcare Utilization in a Developing Country: New Insights From Nigeria
Anthony Orji, Celine Onyinyechi Obochi, Onyinye Imelda Anthony-Orji, Jonathan Emenike Ogbuabor, Obukohwo Oba Efayena et al. ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-sonnet-5This study examines how household wealth and regional differences affect child healthcare use in Nigeria. It used national health survey data from 2008 and 2018 and statistical methods to measure inequality in healthcare access. The study found that wealthier households have less inequality in accessing child healthcare. It also found that the northeast and northwest regions of Nigeria have higher inequality, linked to socioeconomic, cultural, and religious factors. The authors recommend better regional health information systems and health education for low-income households.
Key points
- Wealthier households show reduced inequality in child healthcare utilization.
- Northeast and northwest geopolitical zones show higher inequality in child healthcare utilization.
- Regional differences are linked to socioeconomic status, culture, and religious practices.
- Study used NDHS data from 2008 and 2018.
- Recommends regional health management information systems and health promotion for low-income households.
Limitations
The abstract does not specify the exact indicators of healthcare utilization used or the sample size, and does not describe how causality was established beyond correlation.
Abstract
ABSTRACT Increasing health issues and rising poverty rates in Nigeria have adversely impacted child health care utilization. This study X‐rays the wealth access and regional variations nexus in child healthcare utilization. The generalized linear model (GLM) approach and the concentration index were adopted, employing data elicited from the Nigeria demographic and health survey (NDHS) conducted in 2008 and 2018. The study identified a substantial variation in child healthcare utilization among households with varying wealth access levels, implying that as households' access to wealth increases, inequality in healthcare utilization reduces among children. Regional analysis shows that the northeast and northwest geopolitical zones exhibited a higher prevalence in child healthcare utilization inequality, due to distinct socioeconomic status, cultural, and religious practices. The study therefore recommends that to support and maintain the initiatives for health system reform, a communication plan and an efficient regionally based health management information system must be created. Again, to increase child healthcare accessibility and utilization, such programmes should include a thorough health promotion strategy that raises awareness and provides relevant education to low‐income households.