Assessment of knowledge of and barriers to accessing healthcare amongst patients in Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (Nauth), Nnewi

Background: Patients’ knowledge on accessing healthcare can improve their health outcome and overcome any barrier that hampers healthcare access at various levels. This study assessed patients’ knowledge of barriers to healthcare access and the socio-demographic factors influencing these barriers in Nnewi, South-East Nigeria.
Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among 207 patients and caregivers attending outpatient clinics or admitted at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital. Respondents were selected using a multistage sampling technique. Data were collected using a pretested interviewer-administered questionnaire and analyzed with IBM SPSS Statistics version 23.
Results: Overall, 63.8% of respondents were aware of barriers to healthcare access. Good, fair, and poor knowledge scores were observed in 63.3%, 23.2%, and 13.5% of participants respectively, with a mean knowledge score of 77 ± 18. Delays in recognizing the need for healthcare and deciding to seek care were the most commonly reported barriers (99.5%), followed by delays in reaching healthcare facilities (93.2%), receiving care (77.8%), and remaining in care (67.6%). Religion, marital status, and educational level were significantly associated with knowledge of healthcare barriers (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: Although respondents demonstrated fair knowledge of barriers to healthcare access, cultural and spiritual beliefs remained major obstacles to timely healthcare utilization. Public health interventions focusing on education of patients, caregivers, and the wider community are recommended to improve healthcare access.