Abstract:

Nigeria's healthcare system is a complex blend of public and private providers, each offering varying levels of service and accessibility. In Delta State, healthcare utilisation patterns are influenced by factors such as affordability, accessibility, and perceived quality of care. The study examines the utilisation of public healthcare facilities in Delta State, Nigeria, exploring residents' preferences and comparing public and private healthcare services. A cross-sectional quantitative survey was conducted among 1,191 residents across six Local Government Areas in Delta State, using face-to-face and virtual questionnaires administered from March 1, 2024, to June 6, 2024. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data. The survey revealed that 92.53% have used public healthcare facilities at least within the space of five years, while 67.17% were more frequent users. A total of 39.00% of respondents prefer to use public hospitals; 24.90% prefer private facilities; and 36.10% equally prefer both. In terms of specific features, the public facilities were rated better for their affordability (89.99%) and accessibility (59.53%). However, private facilities were perceived to provide more effective care (58.5%) and operate with better equipment and infrastructure (50.5%), while public facilities performed better in terms of staff quality (53.65%) and value for money (53.15%). The study highlights the strong demand for public health services in Delta State but also identifies areas for improvement in care quality, equipment, and infrastructure in public facilities, which can be achieved through targeted investments and quality improvement initiatives to enhance public confidence and achieve universal health coverage.

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