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Hospital Beds and Wards on Healthcare Service Delivery in General Hospitals in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Essien John Paul and, Ekong Daniel

Abstract

Health infrastructure remains a critical determinant of effective healthcare service delivery, yet many public health facilities in Nigeria continue to experience infrastructural inadequacies. This study examined the influence of health infrastructure on service delivery in general hospitals in Akwa Ibom State, with specific focus on hospital beds and hospital wards. The study adopted a descriptive and survey research design, utilizing both primary and secondary data. The population comprised 7,231 respondents drawn from general hospital staff, patients, public office holders, and civil servants in the Ministry of Health, Akwa Ibom State. Using the Taro Yamane formula, a sample size of 400 respondents was determined, of which 365 valid questionnaires were retrieved and analyzed. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and simple linear regression at a 0.05 level of significance. Findings revealed that hospital beds have a positive and significant influence on healthcare service delivery in general hospitals in Akwa Ibom State. Similarly, hospital wards were found to exert a positive and significant influence on service delivery. The regression results showed that both variables significantly predicted service delivery outcomes. The study concludes that adequate provision and proper management of hospital beds and wards are essential for improving healthcare service delivery. It therefore recommends increased investment in hospital bed capacity, expansion and upgrading of hospital wards, and improved infrastructural planning by the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Health to enhance quality healthcare delivery.

Keywords

Health infrastructure; Healthcare service delivery; Hospital beds; Hospital wards; General hospitals; Public healthcare facilities; Health system performance; Secondary healthcare services

References

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