ACCESS AND UTILIZATION OF HEALTHCARE SERVICES AMONG RESIDENTS OF SELECTED RURAL COMMUNITIES IN MORO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, KWARA STATE, NIGERIA.

Background: Access to healthcare is a fundamental component of public health and human development, yet it remains a significant challenge in many rural communities across Nigeria. Inadequate infrastructure, workforce shortages, financial barriers, and geographic isolation contribute to poor healthcare utilization, particularly in rural areas like Moro LGA, Kwara State. Understanding patterns of access and use of healthcare services is essential for improving population health outcomes and informing policy decisions. Objective: The study aimed to assess the level of access to and utilization of healthcare services among residents of selected rural communities in Moro Local Government Area of Kwara State, Nigeria, and to identify the factors influencing these patterns. Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in four rural communities using a multistage sampling technique. Data were collected from 166 adult residents through structured interviewer-administered questionnaires. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze variables such as socio-demographics, distance to healthcare facilities, affordability, availability of services, and cultural influences. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 26. Results: 88.6% of respondents had physical access to healthcare facilities; 89.8% sought care when sick. However, only 63.9% showed overall consistent utilization of services. Government health centers were the most used (72.3%). Treatment of illness (73.5%) was the most common service used, while preventive services like immunization and family planning had lower utilization. Key barriers included cost of services (46.4%), lack of health insurance (36.7%), long waiting times (36.1%), and distance to facilities (41.0%). Positive factors included family support (71.7%) and respectful treatment by healthcare staff (82.5%). Conclusion: Although the majority of residents had some form of access to healthcare services, actual utilization remained suboptimal. The findings reveal significant disparities in access and use, influenced by financial, infrastructural, and sociocultural factors. The underutilization of preventive services and the reliance on curative care reflect gaps in health education and service delivery. Recommendations: Efforts should be made by government and stakeholders to: Improve the availability and affordability of healthcare through better funding and expanded health insurance coverage. Enhance infrastructure and staff capacity in rural health centers. Promote community-based health education to improve awareness and encourage preventive healthcare use. Integrate mobile and outreach health programs to reach hard-to-access areas. Keywords: Health Access and Utilization, Rural Community, Barriers to Health Services, Moro Local Government Area, Kwara State, Nigeria.