Analysis of Arable Crop Farmers’ Utilization of Unorthodox and Orthodox Healthcare Services in Oyo State, Nigeria.

Abstract

This study analysed farmers’ utilization of Unorthodox and Orthodox health-care services in Oyo State, Nigeria. Primary data were collected using structured interview guide administered to 200 respondents selected using a multistage sampling technique. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC), Chi-square and t-test. Results showed that the mean age of the farmers was 52 years, majority (93.00%) were males, and 47.50% had no formal education. The average household size was 9 persons with mean income of N238,435.00 per annum while the mean farm size was 3.84 hectares. Almost (99.50%) all the farmers did not patronize unorthodox health care services. The farmers preferred orthodox over unorthodox health care services. Correlation analysis revealed significant relationships (p < 0.05) between farmers’ income level (r = 0.15); household size (r = 0.18) and their utilization of orthodox health-care services. Chi-square analysis showed a significant association (p < 0.01) between farmers’ educational level and utilization of unorthodox health-care services (?^{2 =} 19.48, df = 5). There was a significant difference (p < 0.01) between the patronage of orthodox and unorthodox health-care services by farming households (t = 10.00, df = 398). The study concluded that more arable crop farmers in Oyo state patronized orthodox health-care services than unorthodox health-care services. It was recommended that Government should facilitate the establishment of orthodox health-care services in the rural communities to further increase utilization of available services within the medical sphere.

Keywords: Arable crop farmers, utilization, healthcare