Factors affecting students’ utilisation of health services at Makerere University Hospital. A case of School of Statistics and Planning

Abstract

The utilization of health services at Makerere University Hospital is a critical aspect for students‟ welfare and academic success. This research aims to analyze the patterns, determinants and the factors associated with the use of these services by the students of the school of statistics and planning which involves a descriptive cross-sectional study utilizing quantitative data collection methods. From a population of 500 students, a sample of 109 students was interviewed using an online questionnaire and data on their health service utilization, satisfaction levels, was gathered. The pre-designed semi-structured questionnaire used contained four sections namely; demographic factors, utilization of health services, factors that affect the utilization of health services and the attitudes towards health services at the University hospital. More than three-quarters, (76%) were found to have visited as well as utilized health services while the remainder of (24%) were found to have never visited the hospital at any one point during their stay at the University. Given the percentage of those that had ever utilized health, (33%) had visited the hospital for more two times followed by those that had visited the hospital for once, (24%) yet the left proportion (19%) was for those that had visited the hospital for exactly two times. Of those students that had ever visited University hospital, more than half of the students had utilized general medical care, (17%) utilized laboratory services, (14%) utilized HIV/AIDS testing and counselling, (7%) utilized safe male circumcision, (6%) utilized family planning services, (5%) utilized vaccination services and lastly (2%) were found to have utilized eye care/treatment. This research gives the importance of factors that affect the utilization of health services to ensure that students can fully benefit from the health services provided by Makerere University Hospital. By improving access and satisfaction, the university can significantly contribute to the well-being and academic success of its students.