Accessibility and Utilization of Healthcare Facilities among Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) In Abuja, Nigeria

Abstract

In Nigeria, internally displaced people (IDPs) are challenged by chronic obstacles in getting vital healthcare services despite the existence of various humanitarian and government interventions. This research paper focuses on investigating the spatial distribution, accessibility, and utilisation of healthcare facilities in the IDP camps of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Abuja. Through descriptive research design, GPS data from 31 IDP camps were gathered and assessed using a nearest neighbour analysis. Questionnaire data from 357 IDPs were analysed using descriptive statistics, ANOVA, and logistic regression. Findings indicate that the distribution of IDP camps in the FCT is clustered, with 87 percent of the camps located in the Abuja Municipal Area Council. Healthcare facilities were generally within walking distance generally with the majority of the IDPs taking less than two minutes to arrive at the services, and there was no charge for transport. Although these are geographically close, a number of socio-economic and cultural elements that had a considerable impact on the utilisation of healthcare were evident, such as education, income, gender, perceived need, and cultural norms. The paper also points out discrepancies in the access of services and discrepancies in quality of care among camps. The results indicate the necessity of the specific health measures, enhanced resource distribution, and culturally competent engagement strategies to increase access and use of healthcare services by IDPs in the FCT. Enhancement of primary healthcare provision in camps and targeting social determinants of health have been important to the enhancement of health outcomes among displaced populations.