Factors affecting utilization of an urban community health center: A cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT

Background@#The local health center (LHC) is the locus of public health service delivery in the barangays of Makati City. It should be the first-line for consultation and should be able to address most health concerns of the community. Considering the many services offered in the LHC, one must study the reasons why constituents opt to consult in the city hospital or in private institutions rather than the LHC. @*Objective@#This study sought to determine the correlation between community perception of the LHC and utilization of the LHC in Barangay Rizal and Barangay Southside, and the correlation between demographic variables and the utilization of the LHC in Barangay Rizal and Barangay Southside. @*Methods@#This is an observational study that utilized a cross-sectional survey. Utilization of the Local Health Center was operationally defined as any consultation in the local health center in the past year, regardless of occurrence of illness. The survey questionnaire had a 5-point Likert Scale and utilized the Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire-18 and added other possible factors affecting utilization based on related literature. @*Results@#Utilization of the LHC had a weak correlation with barangay (Rizal versus Southside), older age, and having more co-morbid illnesses. Community perception of General Satisfaction, Availability of doctors, and Availability of free medications had a weak correlation with consulting in the LHC and had good community perception ratings.@*Conclusion@#Patient-Doctor Relationship also showed a weak correlation with consulting in the LHC but merits attention because it had a somewhat low community perception rating.