Accessibility and utilization of the primary health care services in Tshwane Region

Abstract

Background Primary Health Care is a basic mechanism that brings healthcare as close as possible to the people. In South Africa, it is seen as a cost effective means of improving the health of the population. It is provided free of charge by the government. This service should be accessible to the population so as to meet the millennium health goals. Aims The aims and objectives of the study were: • To investigate whether Primary Health Care services were accessible to the communities of Tshwane Region. • To determine the utilization of the health care services in the three Community Health Care centres of Tshwane Region. Methodology Data were collected at the three Community Health Care centres of Tshwane Region using self-administered questionnaires. A document review of the Community Health Care centres records was conducted to investigate the utilization trends of services. Descriptive statistics were used. The analysis was based on the information that was elicited from the questionnaires that the people who utilize the Community Health Care centres of Tshwane Region provided. The extracted data emanating from the records from the three centres were also used. Results The study demonstrated that in terms of distance, the Community Health Care centres of Tshwane Region are accessible as most participants lived within 5km. They traveled 30 minutes or less to the clinic. The taxi and walking was the most common form used to access the clinic. The services were utilized with the Tuberculosis clinic being the most visited. Generally, people were satisfied with the service and their health needs are met. Conclusion The Community Health Care centres of Tshwane Region are accessible and utilized effectively. Key words: Primary Health Care, accessibility, utilization.