THE ECONOMICS OF HEALTHCARE ACCESS IN NIGERIA; ANALYSING THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTOR CONTRIBUTIONS USING AKOKO SOUTH WEST AS A CASE STUDY

Here is your well-formatted and polished version with the original meaning fully retained: This study examines the economics of healthcare access in Nigeria, with a focus on the contributions of the public and private sectors in Akoko South-West Local Government Area (LGA), Ondo State, as a case study. The research addresses the challenges of equitable healthcare delivery in a resource-constrained environment where out-of-pocket expenditures dominate and infrastructure gaps persist. The primary objectives were to analyze socio-demographic influences on healthcare access, evaluate utilization patterns, assess location and economic barriers, and quantify the roles of public and private healthcare providers. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire administered to 100 respondents, achieving a 100% response rate. Analytical methods included frequency distributions, percentages, bar and pie charts, and logit regression to test hypotheses on factors influencing access. Socio-demographic findings revealed a predominantly young population (75% aged 18–45), largely female (55%), single (86%), and low-income (70% earning less than ₦30,000 monthly), with artisans and farmers (48%) forming the largest occupational group. Healthcare utilization was relatively high, with 71% of respondents visiting health facilities in the past year and 80% reporting more than three visits. However, 75% faced barriers such as cost and distance. Public health facilities were preferred by 89% of respondents, compared to 39% for private facilities, highlighting the dominant role of the public sector amid limited private-sector contributions. Logit regression results showed no statistically significant predictors at the 5% level, although descriptive analysis underscored the influence of economic and cultural factors, including religious inclination toward traditional healthcare alternatives (19% usage). The study concludes that economic constraints and infrastructural deficiencies continue to hinder healthcare access, thereby perpetuating inequalities. It recommends enhanced public funding, expansion of health insurance coverage (currently 29%), improved transportation systems, and stronger public–private partnerships to balance sectoral contributions and promote sustainable healthcare economics in rural Nigeria.