Abstract:

Objective: To determine the knowledge of Primary health care system among patients who access health care in Supreme Faith Hospital, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria.

Study design and Setting - A cross-sectional study design that made use of quantitative survey method involving data collection and analysis.

Participants - 120 voluntary adults who access health care services at Supreme Faith Hospital, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria.

Method: A semi-structured questionnaire was administered to participants who also consented to the survey. A cross-sectional study was deemed fit for this research because it enables any desired data to be collected at one point in time.

Results: There were 38 (31.7%) males as against 82 (68.3%) females in the study. Majority of the respondents fell within high reproductive age group, 21-30. The respondents who indicated that they were aware/have knowledge of PHC in the study were 98 (81.7%), while those who were ignorant of PHC were 22 (18.3%).

Conclusions: The awareness of PHC was high among patients who access health care in Supreme faith hospital. 98 (81.7%) out of 120 respondents studied were aware of PHC. Although there was high level of awareness of the services of PHC, a sizeable number of patients preferred secondary health care facilities to primary health care. PHC facilities should be strengthened through investment in facility, staffing, and training of the already engaged workforce.

Keywords: Awareness, Facilities, knowledge, Patients, Primary health care, Public health.

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