Socio-Cultural Factors (SCF) and Health Care Services Utilization (HCSU) in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria: An Assessment and Policy Recommendations

Abstract

The study examined the impacts of socio-cultural factors (SCFs) on the utilization of Health Care Services (HCS) in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Data were collected from three hundred and sixty (360) respondents. Twenty six (26) Health Care Institutions and thirteen (13) Traditional Healing Homes (THHs) were purposively selected for the study. Findings of the study show, that belief in mystical forces (witchcraft, spells, and sorceries), that some disease conditions respond faster to traditional medicine than western cures, that traditional medicine are cheaper as well as, recommendation by relatives and friends, greatly influence the utilization of traditional medicine against orthodox health services in the state. It was recommended from the study among others that, cultural education as well as incorporation of traditional medicine into orthodox medical practices among others be undertaken in order to raise the awareness of the people on the efficacy of orthodox medicine, as a way of encouragement to the people of Akwa Ibom to utilize its services in the state.