The Determinants of Health Care Utilization among the Elderly in a Rural Community in Northern Nigeria

Ibitoye O. Grace, Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund
Olutobi A. Sanuade, University of Ghana
Olusola Ayeni, University of Ibadan

The study examined the determinants of health care utilization among the elderly in Ijumu local government area of Kogi State Nigeria. The cross-sectional study adopted multi-stage sampling technique. Health care utilization was operationalized as whether the respondent sought biomedical treatment or not when they took ill. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression. Socio-economic status, types of family and living with chronic conditions were the determinants of biomedical health care utilization. An increase in socio-economic status increased the odds of seeking biomedical treatment, and those in polygamous family were more likely to seek biomedical health treatment. Respondents living with chronic conditions had higher odds of seeking biomedical treatment. Since the elderly seems to use biomedical health care there is need for the government to ensure that the health care services are accessible and affordable for them, most especially for those living with chronic conditions.