Factors affecting the use of primary health care clinics for children

Abstract

Factors affecting the attendance at primary health care clinics in Lagos were studied at Oguntolu Clinic and Randle Road Health Centre among 120 Nigerian children. The level of immunisation was a measure of the frequency (regularity) of attendance at the clinics. Certain socioeconomic, psychological, and demographic factors were the major factors affecting attendance. Among those fully immunised, the family sizes were low, the mothers and fathers were educated, the mothers were younger, and a higher proportion of the children were boys. The family health workers were responsible for earlier and regular attendance at the clinic. The perception of the severity of symptoms of disease was a major psychological factor affecting attendance. A predictive model for the identification of high need but low users and low need but high users is presented to facilitate the formulation of more realistic primary health care programme priorities and policies.