Evidence suggests a rising incidence of dog bites in Sierra Leone despite ongoing efforts to prevent rabies. However, little is known about the factors influencing the decision to seek medical care following a dog bite. To address this gap, we developed a probabilistic model to examine factors associated with the likelihood of seeking traditional care in Sierra Leone. Among the 2558 respondents who completed the survey, 31 % (782/2558) indicated that they would seek traditional care after a dog bite. The posterior distributions of our model estimates indicated that the probability of seeking traditional care was higher among respondents with lower levels of education, those residing in rural areas, individuals lacking knowledge about rabies virus transmission and its hosts, and those who owned vaccinated dogs. Conversely, respondents living in locations with a livestock officer or veterinary establishment had lower odds of seeking traditional remedies compared with those uncertain about access. We observed a negative relationship between the percentage of health facilities and the probability of seeking traditional care, with higher percentages associated with a decreased likelihood of seeking traditional remedies. We also found regional variation in the probability of seeking traditional care. Respondents in the Eastern and Western Area were less likely to seek traditional remedies than those in the Northern and Southern Provinces. These findings highlight the need for targeted educational campaigns to raise awareness about rabies and the importance of timely medical care after exposure. Improving healthcare access in rural areas and fostering collaboration with traditional healers are also essential for reducing reliance on traditional care and strengthening rabies prevention and control efforts.

The financial sector in India has been rapidly changing digitally, which has been driven by technological innovation and governmental efforts, in addition to changing consumer behaviour. Artificial intelligence, blockchain, mobile banking and the unified payments interface (UPI) have reconfigured service delivery through streamlining operations, achieving transparency and increasing access to formal finance. As a result, these innovations have strengthened microfinance institutions, enabled MSMEs to engage with the digital economy, and transformed the payment infrastructure in the country. Even then, even with this advance, there is a significant research gap; most studies concentrate on individual factors, such as digital payments, fintech growth, banking reforms or MSME digitisation, but also do not consider how these factors are interconnected. Not many studies question the systemic interaction between these developments or compare the annexation, technology and user capability in the context of long-term financial stability. To address this gap, the current research adapts a qualitative and descriptive approach that will use secondary data as a source of information based on scholarly literature, governmental reports and datasets of the Reserve Bank of India, the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and other institutional repositories. The most important indicators, such as the UPI transaction volumes, trends in fraud, the increase in Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) accounts, and the extension of payment systems, were analysed to create a complete portrait of the digital transition in India. The findings indicate that the country has been adopting digital finance robustly, as the number of UPI users is skyrocketing, the use of mobile wallets is becoming more popular and access to credit and investment platforms is being made available through fintech. Still, consistent complications remain, such as spiralling cases of cyber fraud until 2024, a shortage of digital access in rural areas, system imbalances and language barriers in payment systems. A detectable decline in fraud in early 2025 indicates the early success of increased cybersecurity systems and social awareness policies. The digital transformation in India provides significant pressure, but it requires continuous improvements in security, access and infrastructure to ensure well-balanced and inclusive financial growth.

Deprescribing, the process of stopping unnecessary medications, is essential for optimizing pharmacotherapy in older adults but is hindered by systemic, knowledge and patient-related barriers. This study explored physicians' perspectives on barriers and facilitators to deprescribing in older adults using the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF), in an LMIC setting with limited evidence. A qualitative study was conducted using in-depth interviews with physicians (n = 52) to explore barriers, facilitators and potential improvements in deprescribing practices. Thematic analysis was applied to identify key insights and patterns from the collected data. This study identified several barriers to deprescribing, including limited healthcare access in rural areas and knowledge gaps in geriatric pharmacology among resident doctors. Patient-specific challenges, such as advanced age and multiple comorbidities, further complicated the process. The chronic use of medications like proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and benzodiazepines was also a prominent barrier. Systemic and logistical issues, such as inefficient workflows and poor interdisciplinary coordination, were noted as critical impediments. Key facilitators included patient acceptance, which was pivotal for adherence and outcomes, and the active participation of educated patients in shared decision-making processes. A growing acceptance of deprescribing among doctors, especially in government healthcare, was observed, with effective communication key to overcoming patient resistance and building trust. Overcoming systemic barriers, enhancing patient education and implementing structured guidelines are key to improving deprescribing. Interdisciplinary collaboration and digital tools like electronic health records can further ensure safe medication discontinuation. Targeted interventions are essential to optimizing deprescribing and improving older adult's health outcomes.

The aim of this mixed methods systematic review was to identify oral health interventions in rural areas of high-income countries and synthesise the evidence on how access is addressed. Searches were conducted in Cochrane, CINAHL, Dentistry and Oral Sciences Source, PsycINFO and PubMed, with the last search in January-February 2025. All study types published in English since 2000 were included that reported oral health interventions aimed at addressing access to dental services. The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool was used to assess study quality. The Penchansky and Thomas model of access, with Saurman's adaptation, guided the thematic synthesis. The final dataset was 73 articles. Most authors reported small-scale interventions delivered by dental and primary health providers. Fluoride varnish application, treatments and health promotion were most reported in clinics, community settings and schools. Lack of service availability and accessibility caused by geographic distance required alternative service models, including telehealth. Free or minimal cost interventions were needed in low-income settings. Stakeholder partnerships and understanding of local context were critical. Evaluations of community acceptability and awareness were rare. There was a dearth of studies addressing the six dimensions of access, with wide variation in study quality. There is an absence of robust, well evaluated studies, with lack of homogeneity preventing meta-analysis. Rural oral health interventions should be informed by comprehensive frameworks of access, be grounded in equity, involve communities in design, development and evaluation, should reduce silos between oral and general healthcare, and should prioritise prevention. Access to high quality oral health is a fundamental human rights and equity issue for rural people.

The digital transformation of agriculture is one of the key areas for achieving food security, environmental sustainability, and climate protection goals. Farmers’ digital skills are essential conditions for the successful implementation of digital technologies in the agricultural sector. The objective of the research is to assess the level of digital skills among persons working in agriculture in the European Union and to analyze the correlation between these skills and Internet access in rural areas. The analysis is based on Eurostat data, in particular the Digital Skills Index 2.0 (DSI 2.0), and focuses on EU countries in 2023. The results show that persons aged 16–74 working in agriculture, forestry, or fisheries, remain at a disadvantage in terms of digital skills compared to both rural and urban populations. In 2023, only 31.29% of persons working in agriculture had basic or above-basic digital skills, while the percentage of persons not using the Internet was more than twice as high in this group as in other social groups. Correlation analysis shows that improving Internet access in rural areas is weakly correlated with an increase in higher digital skills among persons working in agriculture, forestry, or fisheries, but shows a strong correlation with a reduction in digital exclusion. The results suggest that the development of digital infrastructure alone is not sufficient to support advanced digital skills in agriculture.

The earlier prediction of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) placed a serious attention on ensuring the appropriate intervention to improve the child's behavioral, cognitive, and social development. The previous detection process is commonly time-intensive, subjective, and highly dependent on the clinical professions, which leads to limited accessibility in rural areas. The difficulties are addressed by introducing effective ASD detection systems, which provide a scalable, objective, and fast solution, reducing the challenges in the healthcare environment. This work integrates the Glowworm Optimization with Extreme Learning Machine Networks (GO-ELMN) model to enhance the efficiency of ASD prediction. During the analysis, ASD screening data for children are collected and processed frequently to obtain behavioral, demographic, and medical features. The extracted features are processed by an extraction learning technique, in which the network hyperparameters are optimized using the glowworm optimization algorithm. The optimized classifier recognizes children's behavior by addressing the issues of limited and imbalanced data. The efficiency of the system is evaluated using experimental results, in which the system ensures high accuracy and convergence speed. The ASD detection model provides an interpretable, fast, and reliable solution that is effectively utilized in the pediatric healthcare domain.

Abstract Internet access in rural areas of low- and middle-income countries is expanding at a rapid rate and affects how people produce and consume food and other goods and services. This may have implications for the incomes and diets of smallholder farm households, where poverty and undernutrition are still commonplace. In this study, we use primary data collected from 720 farm households in Bangladesh to analyze how internet use affects agricultural production and food consumption. Employing propensity score matching and instrumental variable methods, we show that internet use is positively associated with farm production diversity, commercialization, and income. We also find positive effects on dietary diversity, even though the results depend on the specific dietary indicators used. Internet use increases household and women’s dietary diversity, whereas the effects on child dietary diversity are statistically insignificant. Internet use encourages the production of certain nutritious foods but does not always lead to an increase in their consumption. Our results highlight the important role of the internet in enhancing farm productivity, income, and potentially diets.

This study aims to analyze the effectiveness of the SIHALAL application developed by the Halal Product Guarantee Agency (BPJPH) in accelerating the halal certification process for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Kapuas Regency, Central Kalimantan. The method used is descriptive qualitative with a case study approach to understand the extent to which the implementation of the SIHALAL application can improve service efficiency, process transparency, and ease of access for business actors. The results of the study show that the implementation of SIHALAL has contributed significantly to accelerating the halal certification process, with the number of certified MSMEs increasing from 220 units in 2022 to 512 units in 2024. This application has also been able to reduce the time required to apply for certification from 3-6 months to one to two months. However, the effectiveness of SIHALAL is still hampered by low digital literacy, limited internet access in rural areas, and a lack of technical assistance for MSME players. This study emphasizes that optimizing SIHALAL requires support from local governments, halal assistance institutions, and capacity building for business actors so that the halal certification digitization system can run more effectively and sustainably in supporting the strengthening of the sharia economic ecosystem in the region.

Solar energy investments involve financial and technological commitments aimed at generating electricity or heat from sunlight. Direct electricity production is achieved through solar panels, while concentrated sunlight produces high-temperature energy. The importance of solar energy investments can be assessed from multiple perspectives. These projects reduce carbon emissions by decreasing reliance on fossil fuels. Solar energy investments are becoming increasingly vital, particularly in alignment with energy transition and sustainable development goals. In short, solar energy is a sustainable and environmentally friendly power source. It also enhances energy access in rural areas through off-grid energy production. To identify the critical factors influencing procurement performance in solar energy investments, a novel decision-making model is proposed, incorporating the SIWEC technique. The findings reveal that strategy definition is the most crucial aspect of the procurement process in solar energy investments. A common digital platform should be implemented across all company units to improve coordination in project and procurement processes. This platform enables real-time tracking of business plans, ensuring timely service delivery and more effective project risk management. Additionally, robust project management software should be utilized to monitor all stages of solar energy projects. Such tools help streamline supply processes, meet material requirements on time, and optimize costs. Potential disruptions in project planning can be identified early through digital systems, further reducing operational expenses. A transparent, data-driven supplier evaluation and selection process should be established to identify the most suitable suppliers for solar energy investments. Supplier performance must be monitored, evaluated, and reviewed periodically. Selecting the right supplier enhances project quality and overall efficiency.

This study presents an outcome evaluation of a mobile banking project implemented by a local bank in Zimbabwe, focusing on its impact on financial inclusion, user adoption, and broader economic effects. Mobile banking has emerged as a vital tool in expanding access to financial services, especially in rural areas where traditional banking infrastructure is scarce. The evaluation examined the impact of the bank's mobile platform on users' financial behaviors, focusing on factors such as user-friendliness, accessibility, and overall satisfaction. The research utilizes qualitative methods, gathering data from a sample of mobile banking users and key informants. The findings aim to offer a comprehensive understanding of the project’s outcomes, highlighting both successes and challenges, as well as areas for improvement. Employing an exploratory research design, the study uses purposive sampling to select participants who are directly engaged with or impacted by the mobile banking initiative. In-depth interviews were conducted to gather rich, contextual data, providing insights into user experiences and operational aspects of the project. The evaluation identifies several key factors influencing the adoption and use of mobile banking, including digital literacy, network connectivity, trust in technology, and socio-economic barriers. It also explores the role of the bank in promoting the mobile platform, examining its communication strategies, customer support systems, and outreach efforts. The results reveal significant improvements in financial inclusion, with many participants gaining access to banking services for the first time. However, challenges such as limited internet access in rural areas, low financial literacy, and concerns about security persist. Additionally, the study highlights gaps in the implementation of the mobile banking project and offers recommendations for enhancing its effectiveness. This research contributes to the growing body of knowledge on mobile banking in sub-Saharan Africa, providing valuable insights for other financial institutions aiming to expand mobile banking services in similar contexts. Ultimately, the evaluation provides actionable recommendations for the bank to refine its strategy and ensure the long-term success and sustainability of its mobile banking initiative.

As individuals age, physiological changes increase the risk of malnutrition, making proper nutrition essential for maintaining health and preventing chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension. This study aims to examine the effectiveness of elderly nutrition programs in Indonesia, particularly the Pemberian Makanan Tambahan (PMT) and Posyandu Lansia initiatives, and to compare them with similar approaches in Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, and the United States. A qualitative research method was employed using a case study approach focused on the in-depth analysis of policies and program implementation in Indonesia, supported by international comparative literature. Findings indicate that Indonesia’s community-based programs face significant challenges, including low awareness, limited resources, unequal access in rural areas, and social stigma toward the elderly. Comparisons with other countries reveal that successful programs rely on integrated policy frameworks, availability of trained professionals, technological innovation, and sustainable funding. This study highlights the importance of collaboration among government, healthcare providers, and communities, as well as the need for multisectoral strategies to ensure equitable and sustainable access to elderly nutrition services. The findings offer policy recommendations to strengthen nutrition systems for the elderly through improved governance, increased nutrition literacy, and more inclusive service delivery models

This article examines preventive legal education as a strategic mechanism for empowering women victims of domestic violence (Kekerasan Dalam Rumah Tangga/KDRT) in Indonesia, specifically focusing on their access to integrated legal and psychological services. Using qualitative phenomenological methodology through in-depth interviews and thematic analysis, this study explores how targeted legal awareness programs strengthen victim agency in navigating justice systems and psychological support mechanisms. The research involved interviews with 18 participants comprising female KDRT victims, legal aid providers, psychological counselors, and community advocates across three Indonesian provinces. Findings reveal that comprehensive legal education programs significantly enhance victim empowerment by demystifying legal processes, clarifying rights under Law Number 23 of 2004, and facilitating timely access to protective services. The implementation of preventive legal education demonstrates capacity to transform victim consciousness, shifting perspectives from self-blame to recognition of legal rights and entitlements. Participants reported increased willingness to report incidents after legal awareness interventions, with 72.2% of victims subsequently accessing formal legal assistance compared to 22.8% prior to education programs. The study identifies critical success factors including integration of psychological support with legal education, community-based delivery mechanisms, and trauma-informed facilitation approaches. However, significant barriers persist, including cultural stigma, limited accessibility in rural areas, and insufficient institutional capacity. This research contributes to evidence-based advocacy for mainstreaming preventive legal education within comprehensive victim support ecosystems in Indonesia, proposing a holistic empowerment model combining legal literacy, psychological recovery, and community mobilization to achieve sustainable gender justice.

One enduring and unsolved global issue is the disparity in healthcare between urban and rural areas. Low health literacy, antiquated equipment, and a lack of medical professionals are common problems in rural areas. One promising way to help close this gap is artificial intelligence (AI). AI has demonstrated significant promise in China's rural healthcare system for increasing diagnostic precision, facilitating remote consultations, and allocating resources as efficiently as possible. The particular uses of AI in these fields, its multifaceted effects, and the difficulties in promoting and implementing it are all covered in this essay. Hardware constraints that impede the deployment of technology, such as inadequate infrastructure, insufficient network coverage, and restricted access to processing power in remote areas, present the first challenge. The second is a lack of trust in rural communities and software-related concerns about patient rights and legal compliance, including data privacy and security risks in the gathering, sharing, and storing of health information. To truly achieve equitable healthcare for all, AI must be implemented successfully, which calls for scalable and flexible solutions backed by robust policy frameworks and ongoing stakeholder engagement.

This study aims to analyze the effectiveness of Islamic Financial Institutions (LKS) in improving people's welfare through economic, social, and compliance approaches to sharia principles. LKS not only function as financial intermediary institutions, but also have a strategic role in empowering the community's economy based on Islamic values. The method used in this study is a qualitative-descriptive study with a literature study approach and secondary data analysis from official reports of Islamic financial institutions and regulators. The results of the analysis show that LKS contribute positively to increasing access to financing, strengthening micro and small businesses, and managing social funds such as zakat and waqf which have a direct impact on community welfare. However, the effectiveness of LKS is still faced with various challenges such as low Islamic financial literacy, limited access in rural areas, and the less than optimal utilization of Islamic social financial instruments. Therefore, synergy is needed between LKS, regulators, and the community in strengthening the role of LKS as an instrument of socio-economic transformation of the community.

This study aims to enhance Islamic financial inclusion in rural and eastern regions of Indonesia through innovative strategies, focusing on challenges related to access, literacy, infrastructure, and public trust issues. Using a qualitative library-based approach, this study analyzes literature from indexed journals, reports from the Financial Services Authority (OJK), and government policies published between 2018 and 2025. Data collection involves systematic literature searches using keywords such as “Islamic financial inclusion” and “Islamic fintech.” Content analysis is employed to identify patterns, challenges, and formulate strategies, with source triangulation to ensure validity. Research Findings Islamic financial inclusion in Indonesia stands at only 12.88%, significantly lower than the national inclusion rate (75.02%), due to limited access in rural areas (68.49%), low Islamic financial literacy (39.11%), geographic barriers, inadequate infrastructure, and product mismatches. Innovative strategies include: (1) contextual financial products such as musyarakah-based financing, (2) infrastructure strengthening through Islamic rural banks (BPRS) and digitalization, (3) financial literacy education, and (4) community-based awareness campaigns. Islamic fintechs (e.g., Alami, Ammana) show potential to overcome geographic constraints, though they are hindered by limited Internet penetration (60%) and digital literacy. These innovative strategies offer practical guidance for stakeholders to boost Islamic financial inclusion through contextual products, digitalization, community-based education, and women’s empowerment via MSMEs, supporting poverty alleviation and inclusive economic growth.

Improving maternal support in rural communities through messaging platforms can be a crucial strategy for enhancing antenatal visit rates and improving maternal health outcomes. Currently, there is a significant gap in maternal healthcare access in rural areas, where pregnant women often face barriers such as distance to healthcare facilities, lack of healthcare providers, and limited access to educational resources. This review explored the barriers and facilitators to providing maternal support through messaging platforms. A protocol for this systematic review was developed and registered in the PROSPERO international prospective register of systematic reviews database (Registration number: CRD42023492705). A comprehensive search was conducted on OVID MEDLINE, OVID EMBASE, EBSCO CINAHL, and SCOPUS, focusing on primary research articles published between January 1, 2003, and January 30, 2025. Eligibility criteria required studies to report on maternal support utilizing messaging platforms in rural populations globally. The search strategy yielded a total of 665 studies, of which 15 studies met the eligibility criteria. The quality of eligible studies was evaluated using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool, and data were extracted from the articles and analyzed using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research. Evidence from the studies indicated that messaging interventions positively impacted maternal health knowledge, access to perinatal services, and communication. Significant barriers were identified, including network connectivity issues in rural areas, affordability of airtime and phones, storage capacity of phones, resistance based on religious beliefs, reliance on traditional birth attendants, and literacy challenges. Facilitators in the messaging interventions included the educational nature of the messages, tailored advice related to pregnancy stages, timely support from community health workers, and improved access to transport for healthcare visits. Tailoring interventions to specific community needs and incorporating educational elements can enhance the engagement and success of messaging platforms targeting maternal health. The identified barriers and facilitators can inform the effective use of messaging platforms by ensuring they are accessible, affordable, and culturally appropriate to support maternal health in rural communities.Trial registrationPROSPERO international prospective register of systematic reviews database (Registration number: CRD42023492705).

Abstract Family caregivers and clinicians in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA/VA) play crucial roles in supporting older Veterans, particularly in rural areas where access to resources can be challenging. A qualitative analysis of interviews with 18 rural family caregivers and 10 clinicians highlights a disconnect between these two groups regarding resource access. Thematic analysis revealed that clinicians assume that patients are being provided services through social workers, believing that these professionals effectively connect families to needed services. However, when asked, rural family caregivers report being unaware of many available VA programs and services (e.g., VA Caregiver Support Program, mileage reimbursement), leaving them feeling unsupported and unsure of where to seek help. This gap in knowledge contributes to frustration and missed opportunities for essential support services. The differing perceptions between clinicians and family caregivers highlight systemic barriers in resource navigation for older veterans. While clinicians rely on social workers as a point of contact for connecting families with community services, family caregivers in rural areas may struggle with limited awareness, inconsistent outreach, or difficulty in accessing social support altogether. This disconnect underscores the need for improved communication strategies within the VA system to ensure family caregivers are informed and empowered to access resources. Efforts such as proactive outreach, improved caregiver and clinician education, and clearer roles within care teams could bridge this gap and improve outcomes for both caregivers and the older veterans they support.

BackgroundPharmacies are more accessible than other health care services, providing frontline primary and preventative health care. Recent research has underscored the importance of pharmacy access for reaching underserved and rural populations. However, minimal attention has been given to the spatial and temporal dimensions of access to pharmacy care despite evidence that geographic accessibility impacts the utilization of healthcare services.MethodsThis study measured spatiotemporal variation in access to pharmacy care across Vermont using the enhanced two-step floating catchment area (E2SFCA) method. We surveyed 102 (87%) Vermont pharmacy locations for data on hours of operation and staffing levels during Fall 2023, and we completed data for an additional 15 in-state and 75 out-of-state locations with public data and imputation. Population data was sourced from the Census and road data from OpenStreetMap. We computed hourly spatial accessibility scores by county subdivision for weekdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, and compared results for metropolitan, micropolitan, and rural areas, testing for significance using the Kruskal–Wallis H Test.ResultsOur findings reveal significant disparities in pharmacy access between rural and urban areas. Access also dropped significantly on Saturdays and Sundays compared to weekdays. We found proportionately greater reductions in access on weekends for rural areas than for urban areas. Virtually all Vermonters lack access to community pharmacies at night, while the daily cycles of access are similar across urban and rural areas.ConclusionsOur study revealed important urban-rural differences in the spatial accessibility of pharmacies across Vermont and highlighted how temporal accessibility compounds with spatial accessibility in rural areas. The results are useful for informing public health policy and the provision of health services. We have also demonstrated the importance of data on pharmacy operating hours and service levels for modeling spatiotemporal pharmacy accessibility, highlighting the need for further research and improving centralized databases to facilitate research in this field.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12913-025-13653-1.

Abstract Background Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is critical for detecting and managing cardiac dysfunction. However, its dependence on expert acquisition means its accessibility in rural areas may be limited, leading to potential missed diagnoses and delayed management. AGILE-Echo is a trial of Artificial intelligence-guided (AI)-TTE for permitting non-expert image acquisition in rural and remote Australia. Aims We aimed to assess markers of image quality to determine 1) Rates of diagnostic image acquisition at sites, 2) Whether a learning curve exists, 3) Whether patient demographic details influence the diagnostic quality of images? Methods 109 (51% M, age 66 ±15 BMI 30±7) unselected participants were recruited through 6 sites for evaluation of exercise intolerance (73%) or heart valve disease. We also assessed whether images were of "diagnostic" quality. Studies were also graded if each study's PLAX, PSAX, and AP4CH were visible. Regression models were used to determine the significance of the patient's clinical background to diagnostic image quality. Results Participants had substantial rates of ex- or current smoking (65%), HTN (57%), and AF (13%), with an overall 4-year ARIC-HF risk of 7.3±11.9%. Clear differences existed between TTE windows and diagnostic quality. The parasternal windows had higher success rates than the apical windows, with the AP2CH having the lowest success rate (Table 1). Increased BMI, HTN, and ARIC-HF score were associated with non-diagnostic images (Table 2). Comparing each assessor’s first 10 studies and eleventh onwards, the percentage of diagnostic images obtained (PLAX 62% A4C 47%) were no different from those with fewer (PLAX 68%, p=0.71; A4C,35%, p=0.21). Conclusions Rates of successful image acquisition by non-experts using AI-guided echo were dependent on the window acquired, with the PLAX being most successfully acquired and patient clinical demographics, including age, BMI, and HF risk, showing an association with image quality. After 10 studies, there was no clear learning curve for improvement in diagnostic quality.

ABSTRACTBackground and AimsEquitable access to healthcare constitutes a fundamental aspect of the Algerian health policy. Yet, no studies addressed determinants of healthcare access in rural areas. This study quantified healthcare utilization (HCU) in a remote Algerian village, and analyzed the associated socioeconomic and health‐related factors, spatial disparities, and experiences with local healthcare services.MethodsA survey‐based, cross‐sectional study was conducted among 400 adult residents of Boussemghoun village, located in the Saharan Atlas Mountains. A structured questionnaire quantified the utilization of 10 basic healthcare services over the past 12‐months. Socioeconomic and health‐related factors, spatial disparities, and experiences with local healthcare services were analyzed as the independent factors of high HCU using multivariate logistic regression.ResultsAmong the participants, 39.7% had at least one chronic disease and 36.5% declared having traveled for healthcare during the past year. Levels of HCU were low across all care services, with the median (P75) HCU score was 4 (9) out of 33. Independent factors of high HCU included female (OR = 2.62, p = 0.003), widowed status (OR = 4.65, p = 0.026), high income (OR = 3.64, p = 0.048), taking 2+ chronic medications (OR = 3.61, p = 0.001), acute health issue in the past year (OR = 3.19, p = 0.013), interregional healthcare mobility (OR = 1.87, p = 0.041), longer travel times to local facilities (OR = 3.84, p = 0.004).ConclusionHealthcare access in Boussemghoun is challenged by a critical lack of comprehensive care, resulting in frequent interregional healthcare mobility and a mismatch between HCU and apparently high healthcare needs. Strategic action is needed to mitigate the resulting inequalities and enhance local access to multidisciplinary quality care.