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Assessment of the Determinants of Health Services utilisation in Urban Areas: Case study of Mbale municipality, Uganda

While health service utilization is a key indicator of health service delivery which many countries seek to improve, low health service utilization patterns characterize many urban settings in developing countries with a grave impact on the community. One such urban setting is Mbale Municipality in Mbale district, Uganda. A cross sectional descriptive study was carried in five wards of Mbale Municipality on the ninety-three (93) respondents. The study aimed at investigating the determinants which influence utilization of health services in urban areas. The information was collected using questionnaires and semi structured interviews. The study findings showed that the procurement process resulted in delayed and inadequate supply of essential drugs and medical equipment’ supply. Understaffing is high and untimely funding was also reported. Poor medical ethic or code of conduct of the health workers and negative perceptions of the community towards health services and health staff were cited as other influencing determinants to health services utilization in urban areas. In view of these findings, the authors propose a review of the procurement system to ensure timely and adequate supply of drugs and medical equipment, recruitment of more health staff, continuous professional development (CPD) of health workers in medical ethical code of conduct in handling patients, sensitization of the community to build trust on health workers, and sharing of responsibilities by couples while taking care of patients in admission.