Abstract
Background The Ethiopian government is striving to improve the health status of its population through the expansion and strengthening of primary health care services in both rural and urban settings of the country. The study aimed to measure modern health service utilization and associated factors in Wolaita Sodo town, Ethiopia. Method A cross-sectional study design was implemented from May to June 2019 in Wolaita Sodo town, Ethiopia. All 786 study participants were selected by multistage systematic random sampling. Data were collected by face-to-face interviews using a pretested structured questionnaire. Data were collected by an open data kit. Stata window version 15.0 was also employed for statistical analysis. Multiple logistic regression was conducted, and a 95% confidence interval was considered for interpretation. Result Health service utilization was 77.2% with (95% CI of 74.1%, 80.0%). In terms of health facilities in which they visit, first 50.6% were at the public health center and 25.5% of them were at Teaching and Referral Hospital. Respondents with marital status married and widowed have higher odds of utilizing health services compared to single marital status (AOR: 2.96; 95% CI: 1.7–5.2 and 9.0; 95% CI: 1.69–48.0), respectively. Respondents with middle and highest wealth status have higher odds of health service utilization than poor wealth status with AOR (1.75 95% CI 1.03–2.97 and 1.58 95% CI; 1.01, 2.77). Similarly, respondents who had chronic disease and perceived poor health status have higher odds of health service utilization. Conclusion Modern health services utilization was found to be unsatisfactory. Being married, wealth status being middle and high, having chronic health conditions, and having poor perceived health status were found to have a statistically significant association with health service utilization.
Highlights
Introduction e2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) emphasize having all people receive the quality health services they need without financial hardship
Respondents with marital status married and widowed have higher odds of utilizing health services compared to single marital status (AOR: 2.96; 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs): 1.7–5.2 and 9.0; 95% CI: 1.69–48.0), respectively
In Ethiopia, different studies tried to estimate health service utilization. erefore, the present study aims to measure the utilization of health service of adults and associated factors in Wolaita Sodo town, Ethiopia, and to suggest ways to improve and strengthen health centers to improve quality of care and reduce the burden on university hospitals
Summary
2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) emphasize having all people receive the quality health services they need without financial hardship. E UHC service coverage index, measuring progress on SDG indicator 3.8.1, increased from a global average of 45% in 2000 to 66% in 2017 [1]. E utilization of health care services is an important public health and policy issue in developing countries for the achievement of universal health coverage [3]. Access to and utilization of health services are key to the improvement of health outcomes in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) [4]. The government believes that the delivery of quality health services at all levels of the stages of the health system is central to improving the health status of the population. Improving the quality of health services implies the improvement of supply and demand-side interventions and the health and health-related regulatory aspect [6]
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