SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS AND UTILIZATION OF HEALTH CARE SERVICES AMONG HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS IN CALABAR IN CROSS RIVER STATE, NIGERIA
Keywords:
Hypertension, Socioeconomic Status, Health Care Utilization, Logistic RegressionAbstract
This study examined the predictive role of socioeconomic status on the utilization of health care services among hypertensive patients. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 186 hypertensive patients in Calabar. Data on socioeconomic variables and health care utilization were collected using structured questionnaires. Chi-square (χ²) tests assessed associations between individual SES variables and utilization, while binary logistic regression examined the combined predictive effect of SES on service use. Significant associations were observed between income (χ² = 12.34, p = 0.002), educational attainment (χ² = 15.67, p < 0.001), and occupational status (χ² = 9.45, p = 0.009) with health care service utilization. Logistic regression analysis revealed that high-income patients (OR = 3.12, 95% CI: 1.65–5.89), tertiary-educated patients (OR = 2.78, 95% CI: 1.42–5.45), and formally employed patients (OR = 2.31, 95% CI: 1.21–4.40) were more likely to utilize health care services regularly. Socioeconomic status significantly influences utilization of health care services among hypertensive patients. Targeted interventions addressing financial, educational, and occupational disparities are essential to improve hypertension management and reduce health inequities.References
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