Factors that Influence Household Access to Healthcare Services in Eldoret Municipality, Kenya

Abstract

Against a background of limited access to healthcare services, this paper examines the factors that influence household access to healthcare services in Eldoret municipality, Kenya. The main objective of the study was to identify the factors that influence household access to healthcare services in the municipality. The study was guided by the following specific objectives: to investigate the socio-economic factors that influence household access to healthcare services; to assess the influence of health insurance on household access to healthcare services; and to establish the influence of referral system on household access to healthcare services. It is hoped that the results of the study will improve policy-makers understanding on factors that influence access to healthcare services and to serve as an important tool for any possible intervention aimed at improving access to healthcare. Health Belief Model (HBM) is employed as the theoretical framework. Research design takes survey form. The unit of analysis constituted household heads in the municipality. Stratified, systematic, purposive and convenience sampling procedures were used to arrive at a sample size of two hundred and sixty household heads. Data was derived from both primary and secondary sources and analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) to ascertain statistical relationships between variables. The findings indicate that: there are specific urban dimensions on access to healthcare; among the respondents, there is substantial unmet healthcare need; and for many urban families using healthcare services is determined by much more than being able to reach them physically. It further answers the questions: do socio-economic characteristics, health insurance and referral system have any role in access to healthcare? Besides, the findings of the study raise new areas for further research in healthcare.