@article{10.11648/j.ijgege.20260101.11,
  author = {Godswill Omijie and Cyril Adams Oshiomhole and Lauretta Iruobe and Edwin Ighodaro Aigbogun and Maryjane Timothy Ugiesomhe and Emmanuel Aiyegbeni and Ehigiator Clement Idiagbonya and Odion Paulina Ototobor and Osemwegie Vincent Omorodion and Erhahon Isimamwen and Esther Omigie and Racheal Etuwe Ugbodaga and Oritsemisan Blessing Jiringho and Mary Osuare Oboigbe and Angela Levi Kangla},
  title = {Healthcare Access Patterns and Challenges Among the Elderly in Edo State, Nigeria: A Cross-sectional Mixed-methods Study},
  journal = {International Journal of Gerontology and Geriatrics},
  volume = {1},
  number = {1},
  pages = {1-11},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijgege.20260101.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijgege.20260101.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijgege.20260101.11},
  abstract = {The global increase in life expectancy has increased among the elderly population, creating challenges for healthcare systems in developing countries like Nigeria. In Edo State, accessing healthcare services among elderly population remains limited. Understanding healthcare access patterns and challenges among the elderly is crucial for developing targeted interventions that promote healthy ageing in line with the United Nations Decade of Healthy Ageing (2021–2030). To determine elderly access to healthcare services, a cross-sectional, mixed-methods study sampled elderly individuals of the ages of 60 years and above across primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare facilities in Edo State using multistage cluster sampling. Quantitative data were extracted from outpatient registers, capturing demographics, complaints, diagnoses, and outcomes. Qualitative interviews with healthcare workers provided additional insights. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, correlation tests, and thematic analysis. The data showed that elderly patients constituted 9.82% of outpatient visits, mostly female (52%) with an average age of 70 years. Tertiary (42%) and secondary facilities (40%) were preferred over primary healthcare centres-PHC (19%). Common complaints included body pain, weakness, and malaria-related symptoms, with a moderate positive correlation between number of complaints and diagnoses (r = 0.353, p < 0.01). Barriers identified qualitatively included limited geriatric services, poor data disaggregation, rural access challenges and lack of infrastructure at the PHC. Further findings revealed gender and age disparities in elderly healthcare utilization, preference for higher-tier facilities, and systemic barriers limiting care at primary levels. Strengthening age-sensitive healthcare systems, improving data practices, establish geriatric units, training more healthcare workers on elderly care, age-disaggregated data systems, strengthening rural primary healthcare, expanding subsidized health insurance for the elderly, and implementing mobile clinics and transportation support for the elderly. These are needed to address elderly healthcare needs in Edo State, Nigeria.},
 year = {2026}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Healthcare Access Patterns and Challenges Among the Elderly in Edo State, Nigeria: A Cross-sectional Mixed-methods Study
AU  - Godswill Omijie
AU  - Cyril Adams Oshiomhole
AU  - Lauretta Iruobe
AU  - Edwin Ighodaro Aigbogun
AU  - Maryjane Timothy Ugiesomhe
AU  - Emmanuel Aiyegbeni
AU  - Ehigiator Clement Idiagbonya
AU  - Odion Paulina Ototobor
AU  - Osemwegie Vincent Omorodion
AU  - Erhahon Isimamwen
AU  - Esther Omigie
AU  - Racheal Etuwe Ugbodaga
AU  - Oritsemisan Blessing Jiringho
AU  - Mary Osuare Oboigbe
AU  - Angela Levi Kangla
Y1  - 2026/02/11
PY  - 2026
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijgege.20260101.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijgege.20260101.11
T2  - International Journal of Gerontology and Geriatrics
JF  - International Journal of Gerontology and Geriatrics
JO  - International Journal of Gerontology and Geriatrics
SP  - 1
EP  - 11
PB  - Science Publishing Group
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijgege.20260101.11
AB  - The global increase in life expectancy has increased among the elderly population, creating challenges for healthcare systems in developing countries like Nigeria. In Edo State, accessing healthcare services among elderly population remains limited. Understanding healthcare access patterns and challenges among the elderly is crucial for developing targeted interventions that promote healthy ageing in line with the United Nations Decade of Healthy Ageing (2021–2030). To determine elderly access to healthcare services, a cross-sectional, mixed-methods study sampled elderly individuals of the ages of 60 years and above across primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare facilities in Edo State using multistage cluster sampling. Quantitative data were extracted from outpatient registers, capturing demographics, complaints, diagnoses, and outcomes. Qualitative interviews with healthcare workers provided additional insights. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, correlation tests, and thematic analysis. The data showed that elderly patients constituted 9.82% of outpatient visits, mostly female (52%) with an average age of 70 years. Tertiary (42%) and secondary facilities (40%) were preferred over primary healthcare centres-PHC (19%). Common complaints included body pain, weakness, and malaria-related symptoms, with a moderate positive correlation between number of complaints and diagnoses (r = 0.353, p < 0.01). Barriers identified qualitatively included limited geriatric services, poor data disaggregation, rural access challenges and lack of infrastructure at the PHC. Further findings revealed gender and age disparities in elderly healthcare utilization, preference for higher-tier facilities, and systemic barriers limiting care at primary levels. Strengthening age-sensitive healthcare systems, improving data practices, establish geriatric units, training more healthcare workers on elderly care, age-disaggregated data systems, strengthening rural primary healthcare, expanding subsidized health insurance for the elderly, and implementing mobile clinics and transportation support for the elderly. These are needed to address elderly healthcare needs in Edo State, Nigeria.
VL  - 1
IS  - 1
ER  - 

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