Geographical patterns of access and utilization of basic health unit in district attock

ABSTRACT

To measure the distance of villages from the health facility in union council Gali Jagir, District Attock and to analyze the geographical location, pattern of access and health facility utilization. This was a cross sectional study. The study was carried out at union council Gali Jagir, Tehsil Fateh Jang, Distrct Attock from 15 November 2000 to 31 December 2000. Measurement of the distance from the villages to the health facility was done and the facility record was reviewed to assess the utilization pattern by the village population. Information about mode of travel, time for travel and cost of traveling was collected by the key informants. Twenty-two percent of villages and 23% of population was situated within 3 km distance [by foot] from the basic health unit [BHU]. Eleven percent of villages and 10% of population was situated within 3-5 km distance [by foot] from the BHU. Majority [67%] of villages and 70% of population was situated more than 5km [by foot] from the BHU. The overall health facility utilization of BHU Gali Jagir was 8.34%. It was found that a distance of 3 km was accessible distance and the health facility utilization decreased as the distance increased. There were also other causes [financial, cultural and functional] of inaccessibility. This study has identified the gaps in the geographical access patterns that an accessible distance is 3km instead of 5km [as accepted by World Health Organization]. Distance of 3km is accessible for seeking care from a public health care facility and overall health facility utilization was 8.32%, which is alarmingly low