ACCESSIBILITY AND QUALITY OF PRIMARY HEALTHCARE SERVICES: A CASE STUDY OF DAMA COMMUNITY MINNA, NIGER STATE, NIGERIA

ABSTRACT This study investigates the accessibility and quality of primary healthcare (PHC) services in Dama community, Minna, Niger State, Nigeria. Despite numerous national and international efforts to strengthen healthcare systems, underserved areas in Nigeria continue to face challenges in accessing quality PHC due to inadequate infrastructure, shortage of skilled personnel, and financial barriers. The study adopted a descriptive survey design, with data collected from 270 adult residents using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages were used for data analysis. Findings revealed that 70% of respondents lived within one kilometre of a PHC facility, indicating good geographical accessibility. However, 63.7% reported waiting times exceeding one hour, and 92.6% paid out- of-pocket for healthcare services, reflecting significant quality and financial challenges. Long waiting times (81.1%), shortage of essential drugs (10.4%), and unfriendly provider attitudes (7.4%) were identified as major barriers to effective healthcare access. The study concludes that while geographical accessibility in Dama community is relatively high, quality-related issues remain a major concern. It recommends the recruitment of additional healthcare personnel, improved drug supply chains, and continuous staff training to enhance patient- centred care and service delivery. Strengthening these areas will contribute to achieving equitable, efficient, and high-quality primary healthcare in underserved regions of Nigeria. Keywords: Accessibility, Primary Healthcare, Quality of Care, Underserved Areas, Niger State, Nigeria.