Factors that affect the utilisation of primary health care services: perception of community in selected villages of Sekhukhune District, South Africa

Abstract

Primary Health Care utilisation and the quality of health care delivery globally have recently been regarded as poor, more especially in the developing countries. In South Africa 84% of the population depends on the government health care system. The South African health system has adopted the PHC approach because it is believed to be the most acceptable, cost-effective means of improving the health status of South Africans. However, there has not been significant improvements in the health of the South African population. The purpose of this study was to explore and describe factors affecting the utilisation of primary health care services at selected villages of Sekhukhune District. A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual design was used. A non-probability approach, purposive sampling method was used to select the district and villages; namely Ga-Mashishi and Dithamaga in the Tubaste Sub-District. A probability approach, simple random sampling was used to select 50 participants using set criteria. Data obtained from interviews was analysed thematically. Results: The following themes emerged from data analysis: Socio-cultural factors, Availability of resources, Organisational factors, Environmental, Economic and Physical factors. The study reveals that community members are not accessing quality Primary health care services. Recommendations that are made include: to consider building a centrally located PHC clinic that would ensure equal access to health care services, strengthening the implementation of policies regarding the referral system and ambulance services, ensuring sustainable availability of human and material resources, developing strategies to ensure that the PHC services are delivered in line with the South African Department of Health policies and guidelines.