Educational Attainment and Access to Healthcare Services: Evidence from Daura Local Government Area, Katsina State, Nigeria
Abstract
Access to healthcare remains a major challenge in many rural areas of Nigeria, where socio- economic disparities significantly influence individuals’ ability to obtain and utilize healthcare services. This study examined the influence of socio-economic status on healthcare access and utilization among residents of Daura Local Government Area, Katsina State, Nigeria. Specifically, the study investigated how key socio-economic factors such as income, educational attainment, and occupation affect healthcare-seeking behaviour and access to healthcare facilities. The study adopted a survey research design using both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Data were collected from 361 respondents through structured questionnaires selected using stratified random sampling to ensure representation across different socio- economic groups. In addition, in-depth interviews were conducted with healthcare administrators, community leaders, religious leaders, and health workers to obtain contextual insights into healthcare access and utilization patterns. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics including frequency distributions, percentages, and cross-tabulations, with the aid of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS Version 22), while qualitative data were analyzed thematically. The findings revealed that socio-economic status significantly influences healthcare access and utilization in the study area. Economic barriers such as low income and high healthcare costs, alongside social barriers including low educational attainment and occupational constraints, were found to limit residents’ ability to seek timely and adequate healthcare services. The study further established a strong relationship between income level, education, occupation status, and healthcare utilization. Based on these findings, the study recommends policy interventions aimed at reducing healthcare costs, improving health literacy, and strengthening healthcare infrastructure, particularly in rural communities. The study contributes to a deeper understanding of the interaction between socio-economic status and healthcare access, with important implications for healthcare policy and planning in rural Nigeria.
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